I am going to France. Are there any insults i should avoid and customs i should follow.?

Question

I am going to France. Are there any insults i should avoid and customs i should follow.?

Answer 1

I know slurping your soup is a compliment to the cheif that their meal is good

Answer 2

Generally speaking, be quiet (tourists are VERY noticable by their perchant for talking loudly, and in languages other than French).  You will notice French people are relatively quiet when they talk.  Staring at people is far more common in France, so enjoy your chances to give someone a good eyeball.  

I never slurped my soup - so I'd avoid that!  

Always say hi and goodbye when you enter and leave anywhere (shops etc), Bonjour, and Au Revoir are sufficient, but French people have many more ways to say this - either way, respond politely and make eye contact.

Try to dress tidily - you never see a woman in track pants in public, unless she is walking out of a gym - try to match their style, and then you won't stick out as much, as you will get their respect.

Use please and thank you when you can - s'il vous plait and merci.

Answer 3

To make it short, and in order of importance.

Great anyone first, when you want to ask a question, make a purchase, or initiate any communication.  Not doing so is almost an insult.

Loudness is looked down at.

Dressing up, rather than down, is a better way to go.

Do not expect to get customer service, as you get in North America, if that is where you are from.

If you do not like something, complain as much as you like, but do not expect it to go anywhere.

Answer 4

http://www.understandfrance.org/index.ht...

Answer 5

Not much to add to Rillifane's exhaustive list.

Prices are always inclusive of all taxes, restaurant menus included. You do not have to tip the waiter, but if the service is good it is expected to leave something.

In Paris don't expect to see many Parisians around the touristy areas, they avoid those like plague. But if you ask for information don't holler 'Hey' but ask politely "s'il vous plait".

Don't touch people. No patting on the back, no grabbing of arm, despite the tendency to charge like tanks through crowds and bumping into each other with abandon we are not a touchy people, patting is for kids and dogs and an insult to an adult. Even when we kiss each other on the cheeks we tend not to touch skin to skin, unless the other one is a good friend.  

Personal space is smaller in France, half of the American one (as explained to me by an irritated American friend while we were queuing), and we queue as aggressively as we drive, trying to get the person in front to move forward faster. Stand your ground but do not let a too great space between you and the person in front of you or you will receive the irritated looks and pointed remarks of everyone behind. (Patience in a queue? That is against the law I believe).  

When you cross the street do not believe the little green man. Wait for the cars to stop at the red light instead and then cross the street. Especially in Paris. It is open hunting season for street crossers, even at the zebra crossings.

Answer 6

Be sure to say "bonjour" to all the shopkeepers, even if you are just looking! Don't be blatantly American and try to speak at least a few words of France. Also, for some reason in France they seem to touch the food with their hands a lot. Like at the boulangerie (bakery) they just picked up the croissants with their bare hands! Don't worry, you will have fun!

Answer 7

On my first day in Paris i realised that before talking to anyone eg shop assistants it is customary to say bonjour and bon journee before leaving. It was hard at first as we rarely do it in my country, but you get used to it.

Answer 8

Generally speaking the French are more formal than most North Americans.

In everyday speech this means appending "s'il vous plâit" to any request. It means saying "je voudrais" and not "donnez moi" when ordering from a menu. It means calling the waiter "Monsieur" and not "Garçon." It means greeting the staff at a shop with "Bonjour" (madam or monsieur as appropriate).

The French tend to follow the older practice of not calling each other by first names or using the familiar without at least some acquaintance (although this is not so much true of young people).

The easy presumption of friendship or the discussing of personal matters with relative strangers that is common in North America is sometimes seen as boorish or crude by the French.

Americans in particular who will talk about the intimate details of their love lives, the state of their personal finances, and the cost of everything they own with someone they met ten minutes ago are, for that reason, regarded as utterly outré.

On the other hand, Americans, who have been taught to never discuss politics or religion, sometimes think they are being singled out for abuse when the French express their opinions on such matters. They are not, of course. they are simply engaging in the second most popular French indoor sport (and the one that does not usually require a bed).

The French do not smile as much as Americans and tend to think the American habit of smiling broadly at just about everyone is a bit goofy.

People will run into you right and left. French people simply don't seem to look where they're going, and  depend on other people not to bump into them.

People stare at you a great deal, no matter how unremarkable you may be. I've never understood this but they do. Pay no attention as no one means you any harm.

The French are quieter than Americans. Loud conversations and boisterous behavior are frowned on. Just dial everything down a notch and you'll be fine.

On a more prosaic level, you will notice that butter is not served with bread except at breakfast or when served with the cheese course.

Cafe au lait is only called that at breakfast. At other times it is "café crème " or "une crème."

Asking for special preparation of food items is generally frowned on as is the practice of the "doggy bag."

By law, prices must be posted in the window of cafes. You will notice that there are usually at least two price levels. One is for service at the bar (le zinc) and the other for table service. It is cheating to buy a drink at the bar and then take a table to drink it at.

When you pay for something the person taking your money expects you to put it down, rather than taking it directly from your hand. Most places have a sort of tray on the counter expressly for this purpose.

If you happen to go to the theater and have to go by someone to get to your seat always pass in front of them facing toward them, that is, away from the screen or the stage. It's very rude otherwise. Ushers in theaters, including movie theaters, should be tipped when they show you to your seat. A small coin is enough.

Although there are fewer and fewer of them with each passing year there are still public toilet facilities that have attendants. They should also be tipped.

When traveling on public transportation you'll notice little fold down seats close to the doors. These can be used until the subway car fills up. If and when it does become crowded you should stand up to make more room. You'll also notice that there are some seats which are identified as being for wounded war veterans, pregnant women etc. You may sit there but should give up your seat if someone in these categories needs it.

If you keep you eyes open, watch what others do, and bear in mind that even in the simplest things there can be differences, you'll do fine.

Bonne chance!

Answer 9

oh my gosh!i'm going to france this summer too.my i'm going with a bunch of other people for the student ambassidor trip and my delegation leaders said: don't wear anything with skulls,rude gestures, always wait until everyone is served to eat,always try to eat everything that is served to you.basicaly mind your manners and be polite.

Answer 10

wave an american flag and yell France sucks!