poor-boo-ah-rr
Litterally 'to drink', the pourboire is the tip you give a waiter in a restaurant. It's a bonus. Usually you would let the waiter/cab driver keep the change (garder la monnaie) if you are pleased with them. Waiters are paid and won't scorn you for not giving them any, but it will be appreciated.
Note that some French waiters are going to scorn you no matter what (I don't mean you as a foreigner, but you as a human being). Don't take it personally. It's a local sport (very parisien but not only).
And the way they are supposed to spend it is pretty much in the name... I find it on the web, that the German Trinkgeld, and the protuguese Gorjeta share the same origin. So we are not the only alcoholic in Europe !
Interestingly enough, the Russians apparently say na chaï, tea money. Yeah right...
Faux amis of the day : from money to love.
Pourboire is a gratuity
Gratuit means free of charge, a courtesy.
Courtoisie means old-fashion politeness.
L'Amour courtois, courtly love, was a form of medieval litterature, where love was part erotic desire, part highly elevated spiritual bond. Usually illicit and ending tragically.
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