Toolkit: At a French Apéro
An Apéro
An apértif, or an apéro as it is more commonly known, is an evening ritual in France that combines food, drink and friends. Just like most events involving food in France, the apéro is sacred and much-loved.
An apéro distinguishes itself from a casual evening drink in a number of ways so it’s important to get the etiquette right! An apéro often occurs before a meal, which explains the Latin origin of the word of “aperire”, meaning, “to open”. An apéro also involves the presence of nibbles, which can include delicate finger food, salmon blinis, olives, breads and pâtés, slices of cheese, and saucisson.
- Did you know that an apéro that replaces dinner is called apéro dînatoire and is generally more focussed on food.
In terms of drinks, an apéro is usually a classy affair with good quality wines, artisanal beers and fresh juices often making an appearance. You should always bring your own drinks with you and be prepared to share them around!
Apéros usually occur between 6-9pm. However, an apéro is not a time to get drunk or spend too much time gossiping or talking about politics. Instead, popular topics of conversation include: discussing the news, catching up with some small talk and sharing a few anecdotes. So just sit down, relax and enjoy the company of friends with some great food and a nice drink.
Bon apéro !
Why don’t you use our handy language tips below for your next apéro?
Click HERE for more handy language toolkits to help you with life in France.
