No steak at noon
On holiday in Portugal a few years ago, an old French couple came into an English pub where I was having lunch. The
landlord asked if anyone spoke French to take their order. I volunteered. After I translated the French men's order for
steak, the waiter asked me to ask him how he wanted it. I just couldn't think of the words for 'How would you like your
steak?'. So for some reason still unkown to me I kept saying midi for what I thought means
'medium'. The French man looked at his watch and got up to leave. I now know I was saying the French for 'noon'. Whilst
I returned to my seat red as a beetroot, the waiter came out and asked the French man if he spoke Portuguese. He did and
they continued their conversation!I have now learned the French for 'well done', 'medium' and 'rare' - just in case my
services are called upon again!
Editor's note: Here are the necessary phrases:un steak
bleu, very rare steak un steak saignant, rare steak un steak
à point, medium steak un steak bien cuit, well done steak
Sent by: Tracy
Comments
And to ask "how would you like it cooked?", you normally ask Quelle cuisson ?
I once walked into a small shop in Belfast. I was looking for a butcher and I could see they had a small refrigerated section with bacon in it. I thought you never know and asked in English but with a French accent "Do you sell any steak?" The reply was (strong Belfast accent) "Steak? Yes, there, on the floor". I thought I'm not buying them if they keep them on the floor! I followed the pointing finger and there on the floor were plastic bags filled with wooden STICKS to light the fire with! Pfew.
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