Dinner with the French

4 bottles between 6 is a mere aperatif....

Top troughing there, Ze Mayor...but have you eaten since?

I agree, Geeky. When I travel on my own I always order a bottle of wine for myself at a restaurant. But I don't do it at breakfast.

"Alas no, Tony. Another couple helped out. So 4 botles between six is not much."

This changes everything. Don't your French hosts know that etiquette demands three bottles of wine per guest?

I think our host grasped the elements of hospitality. Alas, he kept the bottles beside him and sometimes I had to plead for another glass (half was given). Me, I am of IanUK's opinion. I go round the table, pour the first galss, then tell them to help themselves. Wine is like bread - just part of the meal.

"All helped themselves and we TALKED - great times."

There is a lot to be said for just talking with each other. About 15 months ago me and beloved re-discovered the joys of talking over a few bowls of porridge. And I jest not.

The grim reality of a formal dinner is that you don't dare help yourself to the wine. That's why I prefer the other kind of dinner.

"I think our host grasped the elements of hospitality. Alas, he kept the bottles beside him..."

"Alas, he kept the bottles beside him..." As luck would have it, this is in my dictionary of antonymous phrases for the word 'hospitality'.

"The grim reality of a formal dinner is that you don't dare help yourself to the wine."

You're far too polite: just lift the bottle and pour. It's very easy after the first time.

Ha55is?

Just STFU on GS.....for once....Honestly...

Go to bed...

s/o - if I've said sth. offensive I apologise.