La Guinguette de Rio — Restaurant in Grasse

I visited Antibes yesterday for what I hoped would be a relaxing day at the beach. I enjoyed a lovely walk along the art galleries with a friend before being drawn into La Guinguette de Rio by the sound of wonderful music.

We were warmly welcomed by a charming woman server who brought us a delicious cocktail and a glass of wine. The ambiance, music, and company were truly delightful, and we had been there for about an hour when something quite unexpected and unpleasant occurred.

As I stood up to discreetly adjust my beach cover-up, which I noticed was inside out, a young male waiter—who had seemed noticeably tense earlier—abruptly shouted across the outside bar area in front of all the other patrons: “Sorry, you can’t do that here! That’s not appropriate!” As though I was undressing in the bar. He continued by insisting I use the toilets instead. I was taken aback and deeply embarrassed, especially given the public nature of the scolding.

Despite my shock, I immediately apologised and explained that I hadn’t meant to cause any offence. His response was even more jarring: “Educated people here in France don’t do that. They know they must use the toilet to change.”

As a psychologist with three degrees, including a doctorate, I was stunned—not only by the tone and delivery, but by the assumption behind his comment. I was dressed modestly in a full swimsuit as opposed to a bikini that covered my shoulders, and far more conservatively than many other guests present in strappy dresses.

I am also a woman of colour and of dual heritage, and I cannot help but reflect on the implicit judgments that may have underpinned his attitude. Whether motivated by unconscious bias or simply poor training, this interaction tarnished what had otherwise been a lovely experience.

To the management of La Guinguette de Rio: I urge you to reflect on the quality and consistency of your customer service. Hospitality demands more than good drinks and music—it requires respect, discretion, and emotional intelligence. I hope the individual in question takes time to reflect on the impact of his words and attitude. A more compassionate and respectful approach to your guests—particularly holidaymakers simply trying to enjoy themselves—would go a long way.

This could have been a five-star review. Sadly, it’s not.

God Bless you and I hope you can learn from your...

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