665187 Fri Nov 06 08:57:34 -0800 2009 14 49 France 0 5160933 I take a lot of sugar with my espresso, and am having trouble getting it in restaurants. Any thoughts on what to tell the waiter? When I order, I order "cafe au lait avec plus du sucre" for my husband and "cafe avec plus du sucre" for myself. We each get one cube (or wrapped packet which has 2 small cubes). I'll then ask for "encore de sucre" and get one more cube (not one each, just one). So what the heck do I say to get more sugar -- should I just specify "avec trois sucre"? Thanks! Susan Fri Nov 06 08:57:34 -0800 2009 22319 waldrons 1 5160943 Take mine. I absolutely hate any sugar in my coffee! On the other hand, I do not mind a small dark chocolate to go with. ;o) No, seriously, just ask for 'avec x sucres svp'. Fri Nov 06 09:02:48 -0800 2009 5160933 13522 Dodo 2 5160999 Maybe you need to change hemispheres! In Columbia,( where there IS some really good coffee) it seems like people like a little coffee with their sugar. I had to laugh the first time I saw the 2x triple sugar packet technique, which is : take three paper sugar packets stacked together, tear all three with one rip and empty into tiny cup of hot coffee, repeat with 3 more packets, then drink . Fri Nov 06 09:24:17 -0800 2009 5160943 10190 ciaolette 3 5165496 That's my technique exactly!!!! (Except for the rinse/repeat... I only use 3 packets for a single espresso.) Susan (One of the benefits of using this much sugar is the espresso-flavored sugar that lurks in the bottom of the cup and is a sweet/savory/crunchy finish to the meal.) Sun Nov 08 14:27:43 -0800 2009 5160999 22319 waldrons 1 5161013 The first ime you ask, try "du café avec beaucoup de sucre s'il vous plaît". If the waiter gives you the regular dose out of automatisme, try "encore du sucre s'il vous plaît". I too usually get 2 cubes with the coffee, and use only half of a a wrapped cube, but can assure you there is no sugar shortage. :-) Fri Nov 06 09:29:20 -0800 2009 5160933 1106797 Parigi 2 5165509 I like "beaucoup"... I'll try that next. For some reason, I just hate saying "3" or whatever sugars. My husband's been joking that the WWII sugar rationing must still be going on here! (I've even threatened to carry some sugar cubes in my purse, but can't find anything nice to carry them in!) Susan Sun Nov 08 14:33:02 -0800 2009 5161013 22319 waldrons 3 5167182 I don't think "beaucoup" will get you what you want. In my experience, it is better to be very specific, so if 3 or 4 is what you want, you are better off asking for exactly that. I do think that carrying cubes may be your best solution. Perhaps an altoid or other similar smaller tin? There are smaller tins that hold things like mints or chocolates or hard candies. Some of them are very decorative. Mon Nov 09 09:42:31 -0800 2009 5165509 153308 souvenir 4 5167870 There are sugar cubes on every counter in every café. You can always help yourself. Mon Nov 09 13:12:51 -0800 2009 5167182 96547 souphie 5 5168138 The OP initiated the thread by asking about how to ask for more sugar in restaurants. While I can imagine a few scenarios where I would get up and go over to a counter or bar section and help myself, I can't say it would be the normal way I would handle fulfilling a need for more sugar for myself or for someone else at a table in a restaurant. Maybe you are speaking about a more casual cafe situation while I was thinking of restaurant as meaning a bit more formal situation? Mon Nov 09 14:25:04 -0800 2009 5167870 153308 souvenir 1 5161070 You should indeed specify "avec trois sucres", and ask again when they bring the coffe as this is an unusual request and therefore is likely to be treated like other unusual requests in many Parisian coffees -- ignored. It's like when you want your coffee with your dessert -- maybe one restaurant in four, on average, will hear your request. Fri Nov 06 09:51:00 -0800 2009 5160933 96547 souphie 2 5161350 If all fails, try to order this way: "puis-je avoir un peu de café avec mon sucre?" Surely the waiter will notice. Fri Nov 06 11:13:25 -0800 2009 5161070 1106797 Parigi 3 5165498 "A little coffee with my sugar?" Funny! Susan Sun Nov 08 14:29:09 -0800 2009 5161350 22319 waldrons 2 5165499 Yes, I've already had to repeat... I was thinking it was my terrible accent! Sun Nov 08 14:30:02 -0800 2009 5161070 22319 waldrons 1 5166226 Being sick and tired of asking for more sugar everywhere, I started carying my own stash in a small plastic box. Also great for encounters with local good dogs... Sun Nov 08 21:19:01 -0800 2009 5160933 19229 Bigos 2 5166394 Good to know I'm not alone! Mon Nov 09 01:24:18 -0800 2009 5166226 22319 waldrons