One story from the Hemingway Bar: We sat down at a table, and the bartender spoke to us in French and handed us menus in French. He came back to take our order and we tried to indicate what we would like, and then the waiter realized we spoke Engish and not French. With a slight flourish, he took the menus from our hands, saying with a British accent "This won't do at at all!" and came back a seoond later with menus in English. Odd, but very charming.
Another note -- The Meurice is about two blocks from. It is a beautiful hotel in a great location. The jacuzzi area is really interesting.