Should I bring a gift for my French host family?

Question

I will be staying with a French host family for a few weeks in the summer and was wondering whether I should bring a gift with me, though I 'll be paying for my stay and I don't know the family.

Perhaps a bottle of wine? I'll be going to France from Germany, so I'm thinking maybe a bottle of German wine would be nice. Would this be expected at all though?

Answer 1

Yes you should.

Answer 2

Make a  photo-album on-line concerning your house, parents, pets, school why not, dedicated with the title " Pour mes amis français - With love " This will go straight to their heart

Forget your german wine -

Answer 3

A bottle of wine would be gratefully accepted.  I work in France a lot.  Travelling from UK, where our wine is indeed a joke, I sometimes give bottles of single malt whisky.  They are gratefully and graciously accepted.

Contrary to other comments, there is a strong wine industry in Germany.  I'm sure that the gift of a bottle will be much appreciated.  Or just about anything else from your locality in Germany.

Answer 4

Bringing something would be a very nice touch, even if you are paying to stay there. I wouldn't bring wine (since the French are known for that, not the Germans), but I'm sure you'll have plenty of other good options.

Answer 5

German wine would not be offensive (roll eyes) and they have some good white wine, but if the family have kids why not something that can be shared with everyone. A box of sweets or cakes. If you're paying you don't need to do more.

Answer 6

defiantely a present would be expected. Wine is a good idea, but any liittle thing  is ok

Answer 7

yes, a gift would be nice. You can bring them a piece of the bradenburg gate(just crumble a piece off, noone will notice :p) jk. yea you can definitely buy some wine or as someone stated above me, a bouquet of roses for the madaam.

Answer 8

anything, but it will must come from your heart.

the german wine is an idea, in france we don't know the wines which come from elsewhere.

or bottle of alcohol for the parents. if you come from germany, for the teenager a "tokyo hotel" german CD, here, they are fans !!!

not any pictures album, it is this that do every english studient...it's bad !!!

Answer 9

french custom is to bring a gift when you go to someone's house. Wine is fine, but French people are arrogant pricks(I'm one, i know). I honestly would just buy flowers for the woman of the house and treat them to dinner one of the nights you are staying. If thats not in your budget, the wine will do.

Answer 10

no German wine, that would be offensive to a French