Do and don't in France

expat.com Your favourite team

8393POSTS

17 years ago

Are you living in France? We need you to share your experience of the local customs

Is it difficult to adjust to the local customs in France?

Could you please share with us a list of the do's and don't's in France?

Thanks!

See also

Working Holiday Visa in France for Australians - Guide
retirement in France - 22 Replies
Wonderful France - 9 Replies
what to do step by step to move to France ? - 4 Replies
moving to france - 5 Replies
First steps to do for a comfortable life in France - 4 Replies
Life in France - 36 Replies

ChapelGirl Member

10POSTS

17 years ago

DO greet people on entering or leaving a shop etc.(this includes fellow customers as well as the owners/assistants).
DON'T call people by their first names until invited to do so.
ALWAYS use the polite "vous" form of address unless invited to use "tu".

These may seem like minor points to someone from the UK or USA where social rules are more relaxed but failure to observe these rules could cause offense with your new neighbours and you may not even realise why.

Wedders Active member

47POSTS

17 years ago

ChapelGirl, good points, but just one minor thing - as an (obvious) adult, you wouldn't vousvoyer any kids under say 14/15 years, and usually up to 16/18 depending on the circumstances, appearance of age, etc. It would almost invariably be 'tu' .....

ChapelGirl Member

10POSTS

17 years ago

Good point!聽 However, with so many 12-year old girls now wearing makeup and high heels it is sometimes a little difficult to tell

ManchePaul Member

13POSTS

17 years ago

There is a piece on my blog about how to get on with the French - basically, be very polite in French, but click here for more:
Landing in Normandy

ParisMontreal Member

15POSTS

17 years ago

If you go to a Parisian Caf茅 don't ask for a "Coke", silly you, it's a "Coca". You can repeat thrice but the gar莽on won't understand until you utter the magic word.

Jo Ann ViP

1548POSTS

17 years ago

NEVER talk about money. Ever, ever.

sud-carolinienne ViP

166POSTS

17 years ago

- Never ever talk about Paris when you are out of Paris (because of the "rivalry" between the capital and the other cities: Paris is NOT France!!!)
- Never critize the local football(= soccer)/rugby team of the city you're in
- Lock your car even if you go out for just one minute, and don't leave any valuables in sight
- Be polite (but don't always expect people to be in return! that's part of the French paradox, I guess)
- Don't use your cell phone while driving (that's forbidden by law)

Dedene New member

7POSTS

16 years ago

Someone mentioned greeting people when you enter a shop/bistro, etc. You can do this in one overall greeting "Bonjour, M'sieur, Dame" That aims everyone around you whether customers or owners.

Smile alot. That can get around awkward situations.