Rudeness Alert: Pom’ Cannelle

I didn’t want to write this blog today, as I usually write about the good and wonderful things of Paris. But I feel it is my duty and owe it to my readers to be aware of certain unpleasant things in the city.

My partner Vincent and his mother, who is visiting from New Jersey and here for Vincent’s art opening this Thursday, were waiting yesterday for a table at Pom’ Cannelle, a popular café on the Ile St. Louis that specializes in many varieties of quiche. The restaurant was full and the manager told them they would get the next table. It was a cold day and there was no room to wait inside, so Vincent and his mother patiently waited outside. About ten minutes later a family walked right past them, completely ignoring their presence and sat at the table that was supposed to be theirs. On top of it the manager didn’t say a word to them and served them. Vincent asked him why they weren’t seated first and he sheepishly shrugged his shoulders without explanation or apology. I met them a few minutes later and they relayed the story to me. I went inside and asked the manager why did he let those people take the table and he replied, “We are busy and there are lots of people in here”. Then when I asked him again and challenged him, and he said, “Well, do you want to make a scandal in the restaurant ?”. As furious as I was at this point, I knew I was in a no win situation. He was not going to apologize or acknowledge any wrong doing on his part no matter how much I tried. Yes, the family that ignored us and took the table were rude and obnoxious but I take issue with the manager who didn’t have the common courtesy or was too cowardly to say to the family that the table was for us and they would have to wait. Maybe the family dismissed us as dumb American tourists and the waiter the same, I can’t really say.

At the core of this is my intolerance for bad or rude behavior especially without apology. So in my fury yesterday, I decided the best way to vent and perform a public service for my readers was to publish a cautionary tale in today's blog. In fact it inspired me to write a new feature, “Rudeness Alert”, and this is the first in hopefully an infrequent series about rude or unacceptable treatment at public venues.

If you are on the Ile St. Louis I highly recommend NOT visiting Pom’ Cannelle.

27 Rue des Deux Ponts, 75004

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
 

New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale

I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos.  I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.

Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.

 

Comments

[Chezbonnefemme]

Great post! I, too, like to focus on the positive for all things I write, but now and then it's worth warning readers away from such places.

I also hate to generalize, but your treatment seems rather typical to me. There's probably nothing the French hate to do more than to apologize.

I always say that 9 times out of 10, things go really well in French restaurants. But when they go bad, they go really, really bad—and no one ever tries to fix it.

Anyway, good for you for posting this.

[Kiki]

you've got courage Richard. Agree with you; it was probably because in France NOBODY waits patiently so it was just assumed that it's alright to push forward for the next group and take over 'your' table... You can't blame the 'takers' but the owner. Hopefully there won't be many such alerts in the future (and btw; Ile St Louis has many lovely restos to go to)

[Cheryl]

Glad you posted this. And I have to agree that the French hate to apologize for anything. I'd add Café Marly to your list. I went in one day for a late lunch. I didn't have a reservation and I was told it would be an hour. Shortly after, a couple came in, no reservation and they were seated immediately. My only conclusion is that they didn't want a table for 2 to be wasted on just one person. I will never go there again.

[Après New York Blog]

Ha - god forbid the French ever apologize or take responsibility for anything! I love the "Rudness Alert" concept.

[Mary Ann Nicoud]

Love the "Rudeness Alert" idea. It will help me (others) figure out if we were alos victims or just ignorant of Parisian customs. . . like the time a waiter brought small bowls of liquid saying, "is for your fingers" and the entire kitchen was watching us from behind every nook. The liquid was deep brown, the color of broth so I told my husband, "don't put your fingers in that - I'm pretty sure it's consume and we're about to be the featured kitchen entertainment for the evening." Or the time I was served chocolate mouse in a 13" mixing bowl filled to the top with a soup spoon. Waiters be damned - I ate the mouse! ! ! :D

[Superpositoire.wordpress.com]

Great post and I've retweeted and also passed it onto my FB page.

I live 45km from Paris and people can be rude here. The simple one... saying "Bonjour" and people completely blanking you. It happens far too often.