Mind Your Manners - French Etiquette

In general, the best of France to introduce people from outside, if possible wait for the introduction of third when meeting new people. By talking to someone, it is also the title of general use of your surname (Mrs. Brown) until specific permission to do something else.

greetings and personal comments about physical appearance (I love the dress) is not appropriate because it was considered too personal.

Exchanging business cards, often when first meeting someone

Physical Best

In greeting a person with a handshake "Very happy" line. When you are sure to shake the hand of all, the general wave group, the United States often are not adequately reviewed.

There are kisses in the air "(first left then right) greeted when appropriate contact.

Physical space

France ready to be a little more together than the Americans.

Eye contact

The most intense public eye, looking side to another is a sign of interest and / or behaves with harshness.

Good topic

Political, controversial issues, current affairs, football, art, and anything that produces a good discussion.

Inappropriate Topics for discussion

Avoid general questions America "what are you doing?" because it is considered rude and personal. Avoid also comments on the special "French" unless an expert in the field.

Communication Style

minutes of silence in France rarely talks evolve. At the beginning of the meeting of the French refuse politely but once you get to know it can be very loud and animated.

The mixture of French and North emotional logic and therefore are often able to explain the process and point to a fairly logical, but problems arise when they are impressed by the dramatic explosion can occur.

Waiting in line

In general, France is in the queue. Can friendship with the banker, the bank allows you to omit the entire line.

Hiking

France is a nation on foot, most projects are on foot.

Shopping

The customer service is not "in your face", as in the United States. In general, sellers often ignored until the eye is the signaling service is required. Someone dress more respect and treat the person that means the T-shirts and jerseys.

When buying the store should know that if they touch fruit or vegetables can be purchased.

Public Transport

When the bus or train seats showed benefit the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and parents with children.

The casual conversation with strangers is not common in public transport or receipt.

Alcohol

The harvest usually included in the price in a restaurant. A standard tips for taxi drivers up to 10 percent. Raised at 1 € per bag.

Law suit

The French are very serious in her style of dress and their sense of value and quality. What you choose to wear this morning good and always thinking. French generally dress more formally than Americans.

Women are very concerned with the skin (a game at an early age) and great style. The accessories are not large, and usually combines with a specific color.

The lunch

Breakfast usually 7-9 PM.

A coffee with traditional French breakfast croissant.

Generally, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Lunch

Lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day and can be very complex. Whereas many traditional lunch sandwich or salad and meat dishes and vegetables. Dessert, wine and coffee almost always accompanied by a meal.

Dinner 7:30 to 8:30 sun.

Dinner consists of Appetizers, soups, main dish, dessert, coffee and chocolate. The careful selection of grapes and serve forever.

Table behavior

the French knife and fork as people in the United States. the left fork and knife in right hand. Almost all of them to France to eat with knife and fork.

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When not in use keep your hands in the shot and passed from right to left.

Who pays?

In general, people do not want to pay.

Promptly

Come "too late" (15-20 minutes) is acceptable.