Yes they dressed for the occasion!
Very classy.
An old tradition was given new life in Paris with the resurrection of the famous Waiter’s Race. Uniformed waiters, old and young, balanced trays of coffee and croissants and raced through the Marais to compete for prizes including five-star dinners and Olympic tickets.
This tradition started in 1914. It was canceled in 2012 for lack of funding, but the Olympics peaked interest again. Once more the sweating but well-dressed waiters were back and huffing. You're judged by how much liquid you have spilled and you can't run. Any lost cups or trays along the way lose points.
The Paris waiters tend to be a deft lot. They weave between chattering customers and tightly-packed tables and deliver complicated orders with a smile. No need to train for the event, their everyday jobs would challenge an Olympic athlete.
The Parisians loved it. The French do a like a public spectacle (see Madame Guillotine) and this one delivered with heads intact.
This article is taken from my monthly newsletter/magazine, Living & Painting in France. Click here for a free subscription.