Am I supposed to get the waiter's attention before sitting down in a café?

Question

I just arrived in Paris and there all these outdoor cafés and restaurants and I'm not sure about the sitting protocol!

Back in the US, we must wait till the maitre d' or a waiter welcomes us and tells you where to sit. But in Paris I've hardly ever seen any waiters helping ppl.

Do I just sit down any where and hope that some how, by a miracle perhaps, the waiter would notice me?

Merci!!

Answer 1

I don't know about Paris, but further south in France it basically goes like this... when you walk inside, if it's busy there will always be someone to seat you.  If it's not, they don't care where you sit.

Answer 2

Surely, if you wave a finger (pointer, please) as he is passing by, if he hasn't noticed you, yet, he will nod as he's passing, and get back to you as soon as he can.

Have fun!  Paris has GREAT food!  (unless something has changed in the last 30 years, which I doubt).

Answer 3

Just walk-up and ask. If you dont ask you won't know!     (Nothing comes to sleeper but a dream)

Answer 4

Waiters must have buzzers attached to theirselves!!  I never had to wait at an outdoor cafe in Paris.  Try the cafe directly across from Notre Dame - it is great.  We had a steak dinner and there was also entertainment outside.

Since waiters belong to a union, they don't wait long to take your order.  BUT, after you are served....ya might have to ask them for attention!

Also, don't tip - it is automatically included in your bill.  This is true throughout Europe.