One check please!

You simply say at the end of the meal " L'addition s'il vous plaît." The serving person will bring you the bill. No explanations necessarily.

Also, in France you have to ask for the bill. Nobody automatically brings it. Bringing it without it being requested is considered pushy and rude.

One bill is normal. Just go to the cashier and they will prep the bill for you as normal

This reminds me too: in our recent trip, I had to remind my American husband that when using English to speakers who barely understand English, instead of asking for the "check" say "bill." Most people who understand some English are going to think check means, well, cheque (a form of payment). If using English, say "bill" or "receipt". It would be easier for a non-native English speaker, if they understand some English, to comprehend.

Also, why do Americans refer to it as "check"? Never made sense to me.

Also, why do Americans refer to it as "check"? Never made sense to me.

It goes back to the mid 1800's. You would want to "check" the bill to make sure you were being charged for the right dishes.

What I've done and have seen others do, is after coffee or a digestif is ordered. excuse myself to use the restroom and then pay. It saves the whole "oh, let me do it." conversation

Re: Muriel’s post… Better yet, do as Bets wrote, ask for the bill in the language of the country you’re in… “L’Addition, s’il vous plait”.

One bill is normal -- you have to ask if you need to split it.

You have to ask for the bill; the little writing in the air gesture is understood if the waiter is not at hand. Or use Bets's phrase. If you don't ask you will sit there forever because it is rude to offer the bill before it is requested.

In Paris you pay at the table -- we have never gone to a cashier except in some cafes. In Lyon we always had to pay at the cashier (we were there briefly but every restaurant we ate in, mostly bouchons and cafes, had that practice. If you signal the waiter for the bill and they want you to pay at the cashier, they will let you know that.

I used to do the writing on my hand gesture, but that's a bit condescending. In the past 10 years I've always just stood up when I'm ready to leave and paid at the till. It's quicker and easier for them as well. It doesn't matter what level of restaurant or where in France, it's the norm.

I used to do the writing on my hand gesture, but that's a bit condescending

REALLY, I've been doing it for years. Never once witnessed an eyeroll only a thumbs up from the waiter.

Since we're on etiquette issues, is it OK if I tilt an empty or almost empty wine glass to signal to the waiter "I need another" ? I do it, because I'm here and the waiter is over there.

I never let the waiter touch a wine bottle once it's delivered. If it's a bottle on a table I pour my own, if it's in a wine cooler on a stand I let the sommelier do it.

The sign language thing won't get an eye roll, but it kind of says you're impatient and assume they don't have language skills. If I have an empty glass (or bottle) I'll wait until the waiter is close by, lean back slightly in my chair and say "pardon m'sieur".

I only say this because I have a couple of waiters in my social circle.

@Susan, of course it's better to use the language of the country rather than English. But, if one doesn't speak the language, momentarily forgot how to say it in the native's language, etc. those are the scenarios I'm talking about.

I never let the waiter touch a wine bottle once it's delivered

Well, most of the tiime travelling, I'm dining on my own, never bottles, only glasses (albeit there have been a few times I should have just ordered the damned bottle.)

The sign language thing won't get an eye roll, but it kind of says you're impatient and assume they don't have language skills.

Hey, I don't need a discussion, I just need the bill. It's not like I'm adding on a tapping of my watch at the same time.

Also, why do Americans refer to it as "check"? Never made sense to me.

Americans pay their check with a bill. The rest of the world pays their bills with a cheque.

waiters do not hover nearby and introduce themselves 'Hi I'm Jacques and I'm here to serve you' -- they do not appear repeatedly to ask if everything is all right. You may never see them within 15 feet once the food has been delivered. If you need more water or the bill, you may well have to either signal across the room or shout. It is less disruptive to lift a glass, or write in the air than to shout 'Monsieur' across 6 other tables. This is totally normal stuff. And most restaurants don't want you trekking to the register and expecting a bill there. (some do, but in Paris at least the norm is that it is handled at the table)