I think I need to start a series of posts entitled Only in France...
Because every so often there are these funny/bizarre/surreal moments that I have and while they're happening there's this little voice in the back of my mind whispering in amusement/shock/disbelief, "only in France..."
For example, on Thursday I was in Metro, a wholesale restaurant supply store that only allows hospitality business owners to join (luckily I have a few friends with cards).
I picked up a bottle of Kirsch in the baking aisle and put it in my cart. When I got to the check out, the young woman picked up the bottle of Kirsch, scanned it and turned to me and said, "You do not have the right to purchase this. You are not a pâtissier. You must be a pâtissier to purchase this item."
Okaaaaay
Only in France...
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11 comments:
How did she know you weren't a pâtissier? And, since when has Kirsch become the exclusive domain of the pâtissier?
So, did you try to reason with her?Or did you try to figure out her reasoning? I probably would have just said sorry and walked away.
Jennifer,
In France ,some liquors are only authorized for "patisserie" .
they are named " alcool dénaturé".
You are obliged to pay a special custom tax to get them .And they are stronger than usual liquors saled in France( > 40°)
Jaypee
la belette
They scan the card in the register before they begin the check out. It came up on the card that I didn't have a patisserie.
As Jaypee (a friend of mine) explains below, apparently the baking Kirsch is higher alcohol.
Who knew?
I didn't argue with her. I know strange rules exist here and unless I reallyknow what I'm talking about, I usually just let it go.
Jaypee, mon ami! Thank you for the explanation.
Now I understand. I was confused! :)
Whaaaaaat! That is so strange! Could you have gotten it if you paid the tax?
beautiful blog! I used to live in France, miss it so much, and thus, search out fun readings about it. I moved there at a young age and was amazed when i went to a local restaurant that everyone was allowed to bring their dogs in! I couldn't believe it!
That is a very strange rule/law, at least we know why....surely you can buy Kirsch in normal shops...or am I wrong thinking that!!!
winedeb
No, I believe you must be registered with the tax office and have a special certificate.
Then you may buy the special Kirsch.
d'arcy
I love those little differences. :)
Thanks for stopping by to say hi!
anne
Yes, I can buy Kirsch elsewhere and I'm sure Metro has it in the liquor aisle.
Next time I go I'll have a look.
I haven't encountered this yet while shopping at Metro. But I haven't bought anything out of the ordinary for a Salon de The. I am tempted to buy huge bulk packages of diapers for Max, I wonder if I will get the same treatment at the register?
Oh geeeeeez....that just SOUNDS French to me!
I sympathize with ya...
I just re-read and realized that you were at Metro! My friend in Paris works for Metro in the marketing dept. When they had us for dinner, she had the COOLEST plastic ware.....you couldn't tell it wasn't silverware until you picked it up!!! She sent some home with us.
Aimee
I also had a giant bag of flour and fish and wine and all sorts of stuff. No problem with anything else.
I guess there are just some things that are "special" and reserved.
Bizarre!
I'm sure diapers would be fine.
CC
I just shrugged when she told me I couldn't buy it. I've learned that there are so many little rules here that it often isn't worth getting an explanation. :)
Metro has some great dishes and glassware!
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