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Discover all you need to know about French culture, traditions, customs & social nuances in this top guide.
Prepare to set sail on a wondrous journey through the enchanting realm of France culture, where each step uncovers a dazzling tapestry of customs and traditions that have shaped this exquisite nation.
Apr 22, 2024 · A trip to France is not just about seeing beautiful landscapes and historic sites; it’s also an immersive experience into a rich culture full of unique customs and traditions. Here are 21 French customs and traditions to help you blend in and appreciate the local culture on your next trip.
- Say hello when you enter a shop or restaurant. Whether you’re popping into a small Parisian boutique for a quick look around, or picking up a French baguette from the boulangerie, greeting the shopkeeper is a must—this is a non-negotiable French tradition.
- Try a few French phrases. Using some simple French phrases when you interact with locals is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in French culture.
- Always dress your best. Paris is noted as a fashion capital and according to French traditions, Parisians dress in a simple, sophisticated way. To blend in with the locals, put your best foot forward when you’re out and about.
- When in doubt, throw on a scarf. One easy, understated way to dress up a simple outfit? Throw on a light scarf to pull your look together. “Scarves are a huge part of French fashion,” said staffer Abby, who spent a year studying in France, and learned all the France culture tricks.
- Contents
- Always Say Hello
- Greet with Kisses on The Cheek
- Have An Extended Lunch
- Enjoy Multiple-Course Meals
- Partake in The Social Drinking Hour
- Eat Dinner Later in The Evening
- Refrain from Changing Dishes on The Menu
- Request For The Check
- Leave The Leftovers Behind
One of the biggest mistakes that English speakers make when they visit France is forgetting to say hello. In English, it can be pretty normal to lead a conversation with a question, but if you walk straight up to a French person and immediately ask, “où sont les toilettes ?”(where is the bathroom?), you’ll likely be seen as rude. Always say bonjour...
In France, you’ll likely be greeted by locals with two kisses on the cheeks, known as la bise. A handshake is usually seen as too formal and is normally reserved for the sick, unfamiliar men and business meetings. La bise doesn’t include actual lip-to-cheek contact, but rather placing cheek-to-cheek and kissing the air. Usually, you start with the ...
Unlike the U.S. where lunch is a 15-minute break spent scarfing down last night’s leftovers, lunch holds great importance in France. Most students will return home for two hours to enjoy a hearty meal with the family. Adults will also go on break for up to two hours and eat at home or meet up with friends or family at a restaurant for a long, multi...
As for the meal itself, a typical structure is entrée, plat (main course),fromage (cheese) and dessert. The entrée will usually be an appetizer such as radishes with sea salt, escargot(snails) or even something more filling depending on the following courses and personal preferences. The main course will typically consist of a vegetable and meat di...
Around 6 pm, you will see French restaurants fill up with groups of friends, but most tables will only have drinks and light snacks on them. This is known as apéritif or the social drinking hour that occurs before dinner. This cherished time with friends is filled with palate-cleansing cocktails and good conversation. The goal is to start working u...
If you sit down at a restaurant for dinner at 5 pm in France, be prepared to receive some strange looks. That’s because the French don’t typically eat dinner until about 7:30 pm. Some don’t even make it until even later! Since dinner is later and lunch is so big, French dinners also tend to be lighter fare.
In the U.S., it’s pretty acceptable to ask for someone to “hold the onions” or substitute fries for a salad, but this isn’t generally appreciated at French restaurants. When you sit down at a French restaurant, what you see on the menu is what you get! Unless the menu indicates you have an option, asking to change a dish can be seen as disrespectfu...
The French really hold mealtime to be sacred, so it’s considered rude to drop off a check without a table asking for it, as it’d be seen as the server rushing you out. For this reason, when you’re ready to pay, wave your server down and let them know you need the check.
You might be used to taking leftovers home in a box after a big meal, but most French restaurants don’t even have to-go boxes available for sit-down meals. Asking for a box may be met with a strange look, depending on where you’re at. Some more casual establishments like pizza restaurants may be more relaxed about this, but if you go to a nicer res...
Apr 8, 2022 · If you are visiting France soon, it is true will come in handy if you know a bit about French customs and practices. They are quite easy to understand snd adjust to, in case you may somehow feel confused or left out. Here’s a guide to some of the more common French customs and practices.
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Jan 14, 2020 · In a lot of ways, French culture is very different from what you’re used to — even if you don’t realize it at first. From eating habits, to social norms, to mindsets and much more, here’s what you need to know about French culture if you’re going to be spending any time in France or around the French.
