Restaurant Etiquette!

Entrance to the Ancient Roman Amphitheater, Arles

 I got schooled in restaurant etiquette today in Arles and I am much the better for it.

Place du Forum, Arles
One of the many dinning venues.

I went to one of the top 20 places to eat in the old city of Arles for lunch today.   Recommended my my hotel, it was already packed when I showed up as did two other men (a New Yorker and a man from Provence).  We chatted a bit waiting for the waitress to check on tables.   (It seems nothing is fast in France when it comes to eating).  When she returned she said there was only one table left. While me and the other New Yorker looked up wondering who was really "first" the French man simply looked up and suggested "Shall we sit together?"

Medieval Portal with Ramparts, Arles.

I had a wonderful meal in France with two Jewish architects!  The New Yorker, Joshua, was visiting for work purposes.  He knew Claude already but they weren't currently working together.  Claude has been to New York several times and met his wife in Brooklyn of all places.  They actually were in Brooklyn and just got a flight out before Sandy hit last year.

View of the Cite Ancienne of Arles from across the Rhone. 

So what did a priest and two Jewish architects talk about over lunch?   Well first about studying abroad.  Joshua's son will spend a semester studying in Copenhagen this fall (Mid August - Mid December) and I was able to talk about the benefits of studying and subsequently traveling while in Rome.  Then we talked about churches.  First, how so few are being built these days and second how they are no longer monuments to God.  It was interesting how their perspective was so faith-filled even though neither of them were overtly religious.  "Churches should be worthy of the Divine!"   How about that!

Church of St. Blaise?
One of the former Churches of Arles now an Art Gallery.

I did squirm a bit in my seat when the clergy abuse scandal came up.  The institutional Church no longer has any credibility in theirs and so many other eyes.  "The people are the Church."   I pointed out.   But they countered with "the people are believing in God but not going to Church anymore."  I had to cede their point especially here in Arles.   There are at least 10 church buildings in the old city that are now art galleries.    I don't know what the exact arrangement is (leased, sponsored, sold) but they are galleries not places of worship.  But they are not places where Mass is celebrated.

Church of Saint Julien, Arles.

Speaking of etiquette, the last thing that made me squirm was when Claude pointed out that there were three men wearing hats inside the restaurant at table (one a cowboy-like sun hat and two with baseball caps) in this quasi-Michelin rated restaurant.  As we quieted for a moment Joshua and I realized together that all three were Americans.  "Father, I'm a Jew," Claude said.  "But I know you don't wear hats in churches nor in restaurants!"  So I learned you can share a table with a stranger- Just don't wear a hat.  I couldn't agree more.

The Ancient Roman Baths, Arles.