GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE APÉRO


Probably one of the best-loved French traditions is that of the apéritif or ‘apéro’ as it is more generally referred to. It’s a moment where friends and family, young and


old can gather together and share an hour or two over a drink and snacks, as Catharine Higginson explains.


T


raditionally the apéritif took place in the early evening, usually around 6.30pm or 7pm


and lasted no longer than an hour. There was a strict food and beverage protocol; ladies would be off ered a (very small!) glass of sweet white wine and the men a large tumbler of whisky. Plates of small savoury biscuits would be served with the hostess exhorting the guests to “allez, prenez les petits gâteaux!” These days, like everything


else, the apéro is changing and becoming less formal. It is likely to go on for longer, there is a much more fl exible approach to the choice of drinks and especially among the younger generations, an apéro dînatoire is far more common. This is pretty much as described – guests ‘dine’ on a selection of more substantial snacks, small canapés and sandwiches, mini-burgers or pizzas, savoury ‘cake’ and so on; the menu is entirely fl exible and is down to the personal preferences of those involved.


HOW LONG TO STAY However, apéro etiquette is still important and whether you are invited or hosting an apéro, it is important to know the rules! Perhaps the most important and equally, the most diffi cult part of attending an apéro,


“Mimic the behaviour of other guests if you are


unsure – if no one else is attacking the peanuts, wait to be off ered!”


especially when you haven’t yet been to many or don’t know the hosts that well, is knowing how long it is going to last and even more importantly, how long you should stay! It was a lot easier back in the day when apéro protocol dictated that guests remained for around an hour and at that point, even if your host off ered another drink, you knew that the correct approach was to decline.


These days, your hosts


may genuinely want you to stay longer and you will have to make an educated guess. However, if they do not off er to top your glass up then it is clearly time to head home. Lunch time apéros are somewhat easier to gauge as it is very unusual to be invited for a midday apéro without lunch following. The exception might be if you are at some kind of public event, perhaps


something organised by the local maire and in this case, it is quite easy to see when it is time to go as you can take your cue from the other guests. The best approach is to


assume that older and more traditional French people will be less likely to prolong the apéro. That said, there have been occasions when I have expected to leave after an hour and found myself in the company of very ‘jovial’ older hosts several hours later! The only real advice here is to travel expectantly and remember that it is always better to leave slightly early rather than outstay your welcome. You can also gauge the likely


length depending on the day of the week. If you are invited to an apéro on a Tuesday evening it is unlikely to carry on for hours but a Friday or Saturday night gathering may be another matter altogether.


Artisan chocolates are a perfect giſt for your host 86 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024


WHAT TO TAKE In terms of what to take, it is very important to get this right and again, what you take will depend very much on the hosts, how well you know them and what kind of people or age group they are. It is not considered appropriate to take wine or spirits as a gift for your hosts. Champagne, on the other hand, is always acceptable but only for a special occasion


© SHUTTERSTOCK


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