Search results
Discover all you need to know about French culture, traditions, customs & social nuances in this top guide.
- Do Not Hug People
- French Breakfast Is Sweet only
- Long Lunch Breaks
- Cheese Between Main Course and Dessert
- Dinner Starts Later
- Bonjour/Bonsoir Rule
- Tipping Policy
- Grocery Stores Don’T Sell Medicines
- Most Stores and Malls Close on Sundays
- Do Not Ask “How Are You” to People You Don’T Know
While this is a common way of greeting people in America, hugging is not something French people do. They will probably feel embarrassed if you hug them, even if they are very good friends. The traditional greeting is “la bise,” which consists in kissing the other person on the cheeks. Sounds simple? Well, not that much.La bise is reserved for “fam...
French breakfast. What comes to your mind is probably bread, croissant, coffee, butter, or jam. But you might be wondering where the savoury foods are. Well, nowhere. A typical French breakfast is sweet only. The traditional combo would be some toast from a baguette with butter and jam dipped in black coffee. If you are staying at a hotel, they mig...
French culture is known to give animportant place to food. That is also true with lunch breaks. In North America, a typical lunch break lasts between 30 to 45 min. For French people, having time to eat a proper meal is essential. That is why the lunch break lasts between 1h30 and 2 hours in schools, universities, and most workplaces. It is typicall...
If you end up having lunch or dinner in a French family, you will learn that after the main course is always the time for cheese. Your host will probably bring a platter with a variety of cheeses to eat with a baguette. And when we say variety, we do not mean mozzarella and cheddar. It is estimated that there are around 1200 varieties of cheese in ...
In the USA and Canada, dinner is usually served around 5:30 or 6 pm. Dinner times are different in France. Because of the long lunch break, business hours tend to extend until 6 or 7 pm. As a consequence, dinner does not start before 7:30 or 8 pm. For example, if you are going to a restaurant, the earliest reservation you could get would be 7 pm. T...
There is one unspoken rule that even French people cannot find consensus on. If you want to visit France, you probably learned the difference between "bonjour" (hello) and "bonsoir" (good evening). The tricky part is to know when to switch from one to the other. The literal translation of bonjour is "good day," so itis perfect before 5 pm. Then it ...
There is a huge difference between North America and France's tipping policies. While the salary of servers in the USA almost exclusively depends on tips, it is not the case in France. Servers already receive a salary corresponding to the minimum wage or above. As a consequence, tips are not expected from customers. Most customers will pay for thei...
When the French come to North America, it is one of the first differences they notice: the presence of medicines in grocery stores. This might surprise you, but grocery stores in France and Europeare not allowed to sell medicines, even if they are over-the-counter, like paracetamol. You would have to get them at a pharmacy. Be aware that pharmacies...
At the top of the list of things that annoy tourists and expatriates in France is the closure of stores on Sundays. Yes, even grocery stores, pharmacies, and malls. It is a custom that French people are used to. They know that if they need to buy something they will have to do it during the week or on Saturdays. The closure on Sundays allows employ...
If there is a faux pas that will make you look weird instantaneously, it is that one. In North America, it is customary to follow “hello” with “how are you doing?” no matter the person you are talking to. In France, while this is normal when talking to friends or family, it is never used in formal situations like with a cashier, a salesperson, a ba...
- Julien Mainguy
Apr 14, 2024 · This article will provide an overview of regional customs, traditions and culture in France, including major traits of French identity and some suggestions on discovering French culture in Canada. What does ‘French Culture’ really mean?
Jan 10, 2024 · There are a lot of French traditions and French customs that are perfectly normal to French people but might seem strange or novel to North Americans, Brits and other cultures. Here are nearly 50 examples of normal French traditions and customs in France that fit the bill.
- Etiquette is Key in France. Generally speaking, the French are very formal people – even among friends, they usually stick to polite formality. There are exceptions to this rule, of course, but in general, you should avoid being too informal when talking to someone you don’t know well.
- The French Take Family Seriously. The French have strong traditions related to family matters, and they place a lot of importance on family values. In France, you often hear that family is everything – it is the cornerstone of French society and plays a central role in French culture.
- Language Is Important in French Culture. France is a country with a rich linguistic heritage. French is the official language of France, but it is not the only language spoken there.
- French Workplace Culture Can Be Confusing. The French workplace can be a confusing and frustrating place for foreigners. This is because it is governed by a set of unwritten rules and customs that are not always easy to understand.
Aug 2, 2023 · French culture is all about fashion, cuisine, art, language, culture and architecture in France and visiting Paris is a must to discover the French lifestyle.
People also ask
Are there normal French traditions & customs?
What are some strange French traditions?
Are French food traditions weird?
Why do French people say 'no' to a request?
Jan 24, 2024 · From traditional events deeply rooted in history to contemporary festivals that showcase the nation’s dynamic spirit, the French calendar is a vibrant tapestry of tradition. Join us on a journey through the heart of France’s festivals, where each celebration is a testament to the country’s cultural diversity and joie de vivre.
