Help! Trying to settle a bet at DVinfo.net

Ben Gurvich · December 27th, 2005, 07:07 AM

Im trying to settle a bet which is kind of strange.

The bet is:

I think that at some point in time, to signal a waiter in a French Restaurant one would raise their hand to their open mouth and and hit one's lips making a popping sound to signal a waiter.

Now, the reason i think this is true is something to do with an episode of "Get Smart" that i saw when i was a kid. Max is at a French restaurant and he makes this "hand over mouth" gesture to get the waiters attention.

The bet is not saying that the exact movement is true, but that if there is some small truth in this, that i will be correct.

My Wife thinks the whole thing is ridiculous and we have a wager of having to get up early for a week and feeding the cat.

If anyone can shed some light on this i would be most interested, and if im right appreciative.

Cheers,
Ben Gurvich

Richard Alvarez · December 27th, 2005, 08:38 AM

I lived in Paris for a year, '79-80.

There is no way to get a waiter's attention.

K. Forman · December 27th, 2005, 10:04 AM

The mouth pop you refer to, was a trademark of this little bald actor- the name eludes me. He has been in so many different shows and movies, and usually plays a Maitre di, or Hotel Desk man. He would call for a waiter or a bellhop, and then pop his mouth as a puncuation. The appropriate way to call a waiter, is Garson, which means boy. If that doesn't work, throw breadsticks.

Michael Wisniewski · December 27th, 2005, 10:15 AM

Either way, the correct answer is, yes honey, you are right, now excuse me while I go feed the cat.

Chris Hurd · December 27th, 2005, 10:24 AM

Definitely Area 51 material. *pop*

Robert Martens · December 27th, 2005, 12:54 PM

I think Fritz Feld is the gentleman you're looking for, Keith.

K. Forman · December 27th, 2005, 01:13 PM

Sounds like him... IMDB left out his part in Lost In Space, where he was his usual character :)

Robert Martens · December 27th, 2005, 01:22 PM

You'll find that under "Notable TV Guest Appearances", toward the bottom of his credit list.

Giroud Francois · December 27th, 2005, 01:37 PM

I think you can have a deal with your wife.
Since there is no official way to call a "Garçon" , the most polite form you could find is ok.
-raising your hand (the best one), eventually adding "S'il vous plait" (please)
- whistle followed by "Hey you!" , pretty rude,but sometime the only way after having tried other forms (and not really suprising from an american, in the mind of a french waiter, don't be upset, same would apply to a german tourist).
- just leaving the table (you would be amazed how fast they come to get their tip), but it works only at the end of the meal.

So the poping mouth is not silly as long you can stand for all the bizarre look the everybody will throw at you.

Jimi Colteryahn · December 27th, 2005, 02:15 PM

I agree with Michael the only way you win this bet is to feed the cat...

Ben Gurvich · December 27th, 2005, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the info guys.

So it looks to me like Maxwell Smart making this gesture is a reference to this Fritz Feld character Keith and Robert are reffering to.

Not looking good for me thus far... However it is interesting to get to the bottom of this.

Cheers,
Ben Gurvich

Ben Gurvich · December 27th, 2005, 06:04 PM

According to imdb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0270915/

Fritz Feld appeared in "Get Smart, Again!" as a Waiter in this 1989 reprise of the show.

Seems Don Adams was a fan of Fritz, would explain why Max signals the Waiter in the same way.

Ben Gurvich · December 28th, 2005, 05:42 AM

Like a losing politician, I have conceded defeat. Only im being honest that i was wrong!

Thanks again.

Until Next time.
CHeers.
Ben Gurvich

December 27th, 2005, 07:07 AM	#1
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	Help! Trying to settle a bet Im trying to settle a bet which is kind of strange. The bet is: I think that at some point in time, to signal a waiter in a French Restaurant one would raise their hand to their open mouth and and hit one's lips making a popping sound to signal a waiter. Now, the reason i think this is true is something to do with an episode of "Get Smart" that i saw when i was a kid. Max is at a French restaurant and he makes this "hand over mouth" gesture to get the waiters attention. The bet is not saying that the exact movement is true, but that if there is some small truth in this, that i will be correct. My Wife thinks the whole thing is ridiculous and we have a wager of having to get up early for a week and feeding the cat. If anyone can shed some light on this i would be most interested, and if im right appreciative. Cheers, Ben Gurvich

December 27th, 2005, 10:04 AM	#3
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	The mouth pop you refer to, was a trademark of this little bald actor- the name eludes me. He has been in so many different shows and movies, and usually plays a Maitre di, or Hotel Desk man. He would call for a waiter or a bellhop, and then pop his mouth as a puncuation. The appropriate way to call a waiter, is Garson, which means boy. If that doesn't work, throw breadsticks. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

December 27th, 2005, 10:15 AM	#4
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Either way, the correct answer is, yes honey, you are right, now excuse me while I go feed the cat. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

December 27th, 2005, 10:24 AM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Definitely Area 51 material. pop __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 27th, 2005, 01:13 PM	#7
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Sounds like him... IMDB left out his part in Lost In Space, where he was his usual character :) __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

December 27th, 2005, 08:38 AM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I lived in Paris for a year, '79-80. There is no way to get a waiter's attention.

December 27th, 2005, 12:54 PM	#6
Robert Martens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 820	I think Fritz Feld is the gentleman you're looking for, Keith.

December 27th, 2005, 01:22 PM	#8
Robert Martens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 820	You'll find that under "Notable TV Guest Appearances", toward the bottom of his credit list.

December 27th, 2005, 01:37 PM	#9
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	I think you can have a deal with your wife. Since there is no official way to call a "Garçon" , the most polite form you could find is ok. -raising your hand (the best one), eventually adding "S'il vous plait" (please) - whistle followed by "Hey you!" , pretty rude,but sometime the only way after having tried other forms (and not really suprising from an american, in the mind of a french waiter, don't be upset, same would apply to a german tourist). - just leaving the table (you would be amazed how fast they come to get their tip), but it works only at the end of the meal. So the poping mouth is not silly as long you can stand for all the bizarre look the everybody will throw at you.

December 27th, 2005, 02:15 PM	#10
Jimi Colteryahn Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rep. of Panama Posts: 34	hello! I agree with Michael the only way you win this bet is to feed the cat...

December 27th, 2005, 05:25 PM	#11
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	Thanks for the info guys. So it looks to me like Maxwell Smart making this gesture is a reference to this Fritz Feld character Keith and Robert are reffering to. Not looking good for me thus far... However it is interesting to get to the bottom of this. Cheers, Ben Gurvich

December 27th, 2005, 06:04 PM	#12
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	According to imdb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0270915/ Fritz Feld appeared in "Get Smart, Again!" as a Waiter in this 1989 reprise of the show. Seems Don Adams was a fan of Fritz, would explain why Max signals the Waiter in the same way.

December 28th, 2005, 05:42 AM	#13
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	Like a losing politician, I have conceded defeat. Only im being honest that i was wrong! Thanks again. Until Next time. CHeers. Ben Gurvich