Paris Day 2: Bonjour Madame

The kids are getting a big kick out of finally seeing French in action, as opposed to in a boring classroom. I'm drilling into them the importance of being polite, and acknowledging all shopkeepers and waiters with the required "bonjour" and "merci". The trick is that "bonjour" and "merci" are not technically enough. They need to be seasoned with a "monsieur" or a "madame" to really be polite.

Only problem is... which one is which?

Sitting at the cafe for lunch today, Jack loudly greeted our waiter with a "Bonjour Madame!"
Our waiter frowned, and then replied with a wink,
"Bonjour Mademoiselle!"

Although Jack had been confused about the Monsieur/Madame, he mysteriously understood that he had just been called a little girl. He found it hilarious.

I probably should have started working on the table manners before landing in France!