#doggybag is the term in Twitter speak (tweet with us here), but how do you say "Can I take it home?" in French?
Pictured: Braise (left) looks embarrassed as her son, Smokey, is about to ask for a sac de chien for his leftover beurre de cacahouètes, or peanut butter. "Smokey, that's not the correct translation and, besides, we don't ask for those in France!" Smokey is more than confused after Papy Jean-Marc encourages him to go ahead and ask for one whenever he's in a French restaurant. Who is right: Mama Braise or Papy Jean-Marc? Leave your answer—or your questions!—about this cultural conundrum in the comments box. For more insights into why Jean-Marc, who is French, feels it is right to ask for a doggy bag, read today's story, via the link below.
Today's Word: doggy bag
: un petit sac pour emporter les restes
: a little bag for taking home leftovers
Le "doggy bag" s’ancre dans la culture française pour éviter le gaspillage. À partir de ce jeudi 1er juillet, les restaurateurs devront obligatoirement proposer à leur client des « contenants réutilisables ou recyclables » pour emporter la fin de leur repas et de leurs boissons. -Ouest France
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following French sentence: Download MP3 file or Wav file
Le jeune homme a demande un petit sac pour emporter les restes. The young man asked for a doggy bag.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Joyeux anniversaire de mariage, mon amour! Aujourd'hui ça fait 18 ans depuis qu'on a dit OUI!
Happy anniversary my love! Today makes 18 years since we said YES!
Here is a story for you, Jean-Marc. I think I knew, after the experience written about in this story, that I had found the right man to spend my life with!
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Note: Today's anniversary is for our civil ceremony, on July 4th. On September 24th, 1994, we were married in the church (photo below). You can read about that sticky situation—in which my wedding veil became hooked to the outside of the ancient cathedral— in the book Words in a French Life. Is it any wonder a bride was late to her wedding?
One of us looks terrified. The other looks as though she's just won the lottery.
Last September's harvest. Left to right Alexi, Daniel, Sandy, Elizabeth, and Caroline. My dear friend Sandy (center, wearing overalls) recently moved to the UK and is posting–along with her cat Georgia–a lovely healthletter. Please check it out here, and read Georgia Cat's latest post here.
Still reading? Check out the story "Canon" and learn how to compliment a French woman. You'll also see a great picture of my mom. Click here.
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Bonjour, On my first trip to Paris, a friend asked me to bring a cup of coffee back to our hotel room. Wanting to use my high school French, I confidently entered a local coffee shop and ordered “un cafe’ pour aller.” What I got was puzzled looks. Finally, after attempting the phrase several more times (w/o) success, a patron intervened and said “emporter, monsieur”. I will always remember and continue to have a fond memory of this verb!!!!!
Reasonable restaurant on Rue Hautefeuille named La Tournelle (sp?. Casual atmosphere with quite good food. It is near Odeon Metro stop.
Happy anniversary! Now Having a glass of Domaine Rouge Bleu Rose’ in your honor! Recently purchased in New York City thanks to Jean-Marc
Regards restaurants. My cousins own LE POTAGER and its sister restaurant LE JARDIN D’ENFACE. They are both very small but economical French country cuisine so you will get real food not one little pear with a squiggly something that passes for a salad in “haute cuisine”! I haven’t been there in three years but at the time I’d say you could get by for under $20. for plat principal. They are at 16, rue Trois Freres en route up the hill to Sacre Coeur so in your neighborhood. Don’t try to drive! Absolutely no parking! My cousins have to park about a mile away and schlepp their kitchen foods and accoutrements up the hill each day. Tele for reservations is 0494988650. I get absolutely no commission or anything. As I said they, Karine, Didier et Fabien are my cousins and je suis tres fiere! I’m very proud of them! Bon appetit! Eleonore Miller
Merci bien Eleonore and Bill for the names of restaurants. I will look these up.
Happy Anniversary!
Americans need to learn to eat less and then they will not order so much and will be able to finish their meal in France.
We can now take our unfinished bottles of wine home in Connecticut, but it is corked and bagged and sometimes taped.
Je reviens pour ajouter un autre commentaire. I was in a French restaurant, in Napa, California, last weekend. The meal was of small portion but rich and filling. At the end of the four coursed dinner, we were very full and could not finish the extra bonbons that the waitress had brought out, après le dessert. To our surprise, la demoiselle asked if we would like a doggy bag. She did not have to search for a container, the restaurant seems to have in stock, lovely cardboard boxes for the bonbons.
Love the picture of your wedding…My husband and I were also married on Sept 24, 1994. We’ve made several trips to France since then; actually I’ve lost count. We’ll be flying back to France again in about two months; September 11. Love all your post too. J’adore le photo de votre mariage … Mon mari et moi ont également été mariés le 24 septembre 1994. Nous avons fait plusieurs voyages vers la France depuis cette date; effectivement j’ai perdu le compte. Nous allons être de reprendre l’avion pour la France à nouveau dans deux mois environ; 11 Septembre. Aimez tout le monde votre message aussi.
Happy Anniversary! Kristin, you are so beautiful. Then and now, inside and out. We had a nice Bastille Day party here….drank our last bottle of Domaine Rouge Bleu. 🙁
Suzie Stegic
Happy Anniversary Kristin & Jean-Marc … we raise a glass of Domaine Rouge-Bleu rosé in your honor.
Ronni & Dick
How different the doggy bag issue is here in South Africa, where most of the population know only too well what it is like to be hungry! Even in the best restaurants,the waiters will ask “you want a take away?” (i.e.doggy bag)with a big smile. I guess they may also have had ‘stone soup’ for dinner as kids. When there’s no food in the house, Mom puts a pan of water with large stones in it on the fire. The kids sit and watch and wait for the water to boil, for the ‘stone soup’ to be ready, eventually falling asleep, empty tummies and all. So, doggy bags? Yes, I’m all in favour…