Nabuco wrote:

> Frogleg > wrote in message >. ..
>
>>On Thu, 29 Jan 2004 17:05:50 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Frogleg wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Well, it's sure not because they all listen to opera during dinner
>>>>(see article)! They place even more social acceptance on thinness
>>>>than USAsians. They don't snack all day long. They serve small
>>>>portions. It's not a mystery or some magic formula.
>>>
>>>Small portions? I have been to France three times, and most meals were
>>>quite bounteous. We went to the restaurant in our hotel one evening
>>>absolutely famished after having skipped lunch. We ordered the three
>>>course menu and were stuffed after the appetizer. My wife had a shrimp
>>>and avocado salad. We were expecting half an avocado with a scoop of
>>>shrimp salad in it. What arrived at the table was a huge mound of
>>>shrimp salad garnished (probably 1 1/2 cups if it) with a whole
>>>avocado nicely sliced and arranged around it and topped with a dozen
>>>large shrimp. My Tourte Lorraine was a sort of quiche, about 6 " in
>>>diameter and 1 1/2" deep, the bottom half of it being a meat filling.
>>
>
> Perhaps...the French are not thin... after all. I've spent a year in
> France in Strasbourg with numerous outings to Paris and various other
> cities.

And now that you are an expert...............

And on more than one occasion I was stunned, like when I
> discovered they love.....french fries. Like in the famous "Moules
> frites".... you guessed it right... Mussels+french fries. Or
> steak+....

Wow, what a startling discovery. To think, someone eats fries besides
Americans.

you guessed it. Or that French don't drink much alcohol.

Really, compared to whom?

Or
> that they are not thin.

No, not thin, but, as a society, not fat nor obese.

But one thing is for sure surprising to a US
> visitor. The food is expensive!!! And eating out even more so. Even
> chinese restaurants in Paris are expensive. Most French indulge at
> most at fast food restaurants.

Wow, another bon mot. French eat out often, but for the most part at
consuemr friendly bistro's, eating a prix fixe meal, which are very good
bargains. I realize that this may surprise you, but most French do not
eat at Michlein starred restaurants. As a result, it is not expensive to
eat out in France. Considering a three course prix fixe meal, most
always cheaper than in the States.


--
Alan

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and
avoid the people, you might better stay home."
--James Michener