Do you pronounce the menu items names when ordering?

[princesspiglet]

This is probably a strange question, but when you are ordering an item off the menu at say, Chef's de France, do you order your food in French or do you just point to the menu and say I'll have that?

I can speak Spanish, but my French is horrible and I don't want to get laughed at when I try to order anything other than Creme Brulee! Can I just say, "I would like the beef, or the chicken" and they will know what I mean?

We are being adventerous this trip and trying some new places. We usually go to Biergarten, Le Cellier or Mexico- where I feel comfortable ordering.

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

Yes you can point to whatever you would like or just ask questions about whatever dish you are interested in. I point all the time to stuff and say I'll have that even when it is in English. I would never try to annihilate the French language which I am sure I would do.

 

[CocaColaGuy]

WDW has thousands of restaurant patrons per day...and trust me, they don't all speak the language! Whether you decide to attempt the foreign pronunciation or just point and order, you won't be the only one by any means!

I like to try and butcher the heck out of the word, but say it like I know what I'm talking about!

There's nothing like ordering Hors-Dee-Overs instead of hors d'oeuvres.

 

[OKW Lover]

We love to use this as a learning moment. We try to pronounce it ourselves and then ask the server how it should be pronounced. Its a good way to learn something new and have a nice moment with your server.

 

[disnut8]

This is probably a strange question, but when you are ordering an item off the menu at say, Chef's de France, do you order your food in French or do you just point to the menu and say I'll have that?

I can speak Spanish, but my French is horrible and I don't want to get laughed at when I try to order anything other than Creme Brulee! Can I just say, "I would like the beef, or the chicken" and they will know what I mean?

We are being adventerous this trip and trying some new places. We usually go to Biergarten, Le Cellier or Mexico- where I feel comfortable ordering.

I'm a pointer. I even point to the menu at TGI Friday's, Denny's and Applebee's. English, French, Spanish, Italian, I don't care - I point.

 

[MYD714]

I did not attempt to pronounce the menu items. I told the waiter that I wanted the beef and I pointed.

I always feel intimidated when ordering from menus with tough pronunciations.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I'm a pointer. I even point to the menu at TGI Friday's, Denny's and Applebee's. English, French, Spanish, Italian, I don't care - I point.

Me too!!!!!!!!!!! Pointer - I don't think the waiters care -- at least you both agree on what you are wanting! The waiter in San Angel tried to get me to order my meal (chicken and rice of some sort) in Spanish but after a margarita -- I was even worse than normal - I think he had a good laugh!

 

[KJay]

The menu at Les Chefs is written in both French and English. (Also, your French server will likely speak English better than a lot of the American guests! )

 

[chuckinthechat]

"I'll have the chicken, or what ever tastes the closest to chicken."

It seems to work for me in the past lol

 

[disneybliss2]

I guess I do a mixture of attempting to say the menu item and pointing. I'll tell the waiter I'd like to have the ....(at this time I stop talking, pause and...) I point to the dish and ask how to pronounce it. Then I attempt saying it myself.

 

[parkhopping]

I have somewhat of a knack for pronouncing foreign languages, so I usually give it a try. If I'm unsure, though, I will ask the server if I did it correctly. As PP mentioned, it can be a fun moment with the CM, even if you butcher it

 

[ironpig70]

The menu at Les Chefs is written in both French and English. (Also, your French server will likely speak English better than a lot of the American guests! )

This is even more fun. Get a French menu and order from it.


f you cannot make it out just point to something in your price range and enjoy.

 

[RooRach0906]

I point for almost everything and will continue to do so. There is only one item I would order in french and that is because its from a exercise from high school French that it comes out automatically. Lol

 

[RedfromNL]

I usually try to order in the local language. It is a great way to improve your understanding of another language and especially how to speak that language.

I make an exception for languages that don't use the latin alfabet......

 

[princessallegra]

I speak French so I love eating at Les Chefs or anywhere in France! As for other countries, I do my best to pronounce it properly when I order. But I can understand why people don't. I speak a few languages and have a good grasp on accents and pronunciation so I enjoy it. I love learning new words/phrases in Japanese, Norse, etc.

 

[bleeps]

I can't stress enough how wonderful in can be -- particularly at WDW -- to take the moment to connect with your CM by asking how to pronounce the item and engaging with the person about their language! When I think about our favorite WDW dining experiences, I remember the young man from Paris who waited on us at Chefs du France -- his face lit up when we asked him about Paris, and about whether or not we were pronouncing a menu item correctly; I think of the gentleman from Morocco who was delighted to be asked about paring a wine with what we'd ordered; we've had several lovely conversations with CMs at Teppan Edo.... In each case, being open to asking questions and learning about another culture COMPLETELY made the experience for us.

So for all you menu pointers out there -- I urge you, at WDW at least, to open up and ask your CM for help. It could make the difference between a good and a great experience (and one thing's for sure, you won't be made to feel inadequate!).

 

[AlohaAnnie]

I point I like it when the waiter pronouns it for me then I try to repeat it.

 

[kamik86]

I generally try to pronounce stuff. Now I'm not sure if most of the time I get it right or if most of the waiters just don't correct me because only a few times have they told me how to say it right.

Japan is the only menu not in English I know I'm pronouncing right as I did take a bit of Japanese before and their language isn't like English where the same syllables sound different depending on context.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I can't stress enough how wonderful in can be -- particularly at WDW -- to take the moment to connect with your CM by asking how to pronounce the item and engaging with the person about their language! When I think about our favorite WDW dining experiences, I remember the young man from Paris who waited on us at Chefs du France -- his face lit up when we asked him about Paris, and about whether or not we were pronouncing a menu item correctly; I think of the gentleman from Morocco who was delighted to be asked about paring a wine with what we'd ordered; we've had several lovely conversations with CMs at Teppan Edo.... In each case, being open to asking questions and learning about another culture COMPLETELY made the experience for us.

So for all you menu pointers out there -- I urge you, at WDW at least, to open up and ask your CM for help. It could make the difference between a good and a great experience (and one thing's for sure, you won't be made to feel inadequate!).

I agree! I don't pronounce a menu item unless I know how to (I get by with Spanish and Italian items but won't even attempt French!) but it's OK to either order in English or ask about how to pronounce the item. Most cms are happy to share a bit of their language or a quick interaction about their hometown and culture with you.

 

[princesspiglet]

OP here. Thanks everyone, that makes me feel better. I am going to attempt to order in French and ask the server if I am pronouncing it correctly. I would love to have a great experience with the CM's and learn more about their culture.