The Common Request In American Restaurants That Can Be Seen As Offensive In France

It doesn't take long to realize that food in Paris is more than just croissants and escargot. The City of Light — as with almost everywhere in France — is bursting with culinary delights. The only problem? You might get pretty stuffed before finishing all those crêpes, cheeses, and steak frites.

In the U.S., this issue would usually be remedied with a handy to-go bag, usually referred to as a doggy bag. This way, you can sit down for a fantastic meal, sampling as many flavors as your heart desires, yet you don't have to worry about finishing the whole portion. Simply pack up the leftovers and reheat them later at your hotel or apartment.

However, the concept of a doggy bag is viewed a bit differently in France, as TikToker @yogirl_rin shared in a clip. "Apparently it's rude to take home your leftovers after eating at a restaurant," she explained. While a to-go box of unfinished food is the norm in some countries, it's not as common in France. A 2014 poll (via France 24) revealed that a whopping 70% of French people had never taken their leftovers home after dining in a restaurant.

As @yogirl_rin explained in her TikTok, the cultural difference regarding doggy bags can be confusing for Americans. Asking for a to-go box could suggest you didn't enjoy your food enough to eat it all. Yet @yogirl_rin points out that she — and others who grew up with doggy bag culture — only asks to pack up leftovers if she likes the meal and doesn't want it to go to waste.

Still, locals in France often look down on bagged scraps. One reason is that taking leftovers home is associated with being cheap and overly frugal. In France (and other countries), people may feel embarrassed asking for a to-go bag, as it could signal stinginess or a lack of money. This is especially true when applied to the average portion size in France. Unlike in the U.S., portion sizes in the European culinary charmer tend to be just enough for one meal. You probably won't receive a super-sized plate of beef bourguignon or a giant bowl of bouillabaisse — and even if you do, you might still be judged for asking for a doggy bag.

Restaurateurs also take issue with bringing leftovers home. Some chefs believe the quality of their food will diminish over time and should only be consumed fresh at the table (especially if you're eating at a top Michelin-starred restaurant). Similarly, some worry that the ingredients will spoil after being packaged and reheated and that the restaurant will be held responsible.

You might get some looks for asking to have your leftovers boxed up, but the good news is that many people in France are starting to embrace doggy bags. In response to @yogirl_rin's video, one TikTok user commented, "I think that's only in Paris, cuz I know in the Alpes (where I work in a restaurant) we love it when people bring the leftover food home." Another user commented, "French girl living in Paris and I always take home my leftovers from the restaurant but maybe some people think it's cheap idk."

When it comes to bagging up restaurant food, the changing attitudes may partially be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic, restaurants started offering takeout meals, which has helped to normalize doggy bags and the practice of taking food home. Environmentalism is also behind the shift. In 2016, a law was passed requiring large restaurants to provide to-go boxes to any diners who request them, inspired by the French government's goal to promote sustainability and reduce food waste.

There are plenty of bizarre rules you have to follow in France, but these days, not asking for a to-go bag isn't one of them. More restaurants have become used to the request and are happy to oblige. With that said, old cultural norms still exist in some places, so don't be surprised if a server seems disappointed when you don't finish your meal at the table.