Do French Restaurants Actually Consider The Phrase 'Bon Appetit' Rude?

Bon appétit is one of the best-known English words taken from French. It was considered rude in 19th-century France as it translates to "good appetite," but it's widely used today.

There's still a small minority who still consider the phrase improper etiquette for the upper class, but this does not represent the majority of France.

Today, it's common for servers in France to say this phrase as they finish delivering your food to the table. The same is true at fast food places.

Bon appétit is also used at dinner parties to signal it's time to begin eating. It's common to say the phrase as you walk by other diners with food in a restaurant or at a picnic.

If someone who is also eating says it to you, you can respond with the same phrase. For waiters, cashiers, or passersby who are not eating, a simple merci will do.