French Etiquette
Planning a trip to France should also include introducing yourself to some of the very formal rules about manners and etiquette practiced by the French. Doing so will positively impact your interaction with those who will assist you in hotels, restaurants, museums, shopping and generally throughout your visit. Speaking fluent French is not required, but the French appreciate any attempt and will usually cheerfully respond to you in English.
Greetings are most important! Always, always, always say
bonjour (hello) to begin any interaction and wait for the individual to respond back. Although
bonjour is satisfactory, a good practice is to say
bonjour madame or
bonjour monsieur, depending on the situation.
After 6PM, bonjour becomes
bonsoir (good evening).
It is always polite to say
merci (thank you) and often you will hear
merci beaucoup (thank you very much) spoken. Try it! The reaction will work in your favor.
When leaving, remember to say
au revoir (goodbye) or if evening, say
bonsoir. Again, adding
madame or
monsieur to your goodbye is considered respectful and polite.
When leaving an establishment, the French may respond by wishing you
bonne journée (have a nice day) or other variations that include
bon après-midi (have a nice afternoon),
bon fin de l’après-midi (enjoy the rest of the afternoon), or
bon weekend (have a nice weekend). Your standard reply should be
merci (thank you) and it is also polite to say
vous aussi (you too).
When talking to a stranger, you are expected to use the formal form of
vois (you) rather than the familiar form of
tu or
toi. You should not address a person by their first name until you are invited to do so, but rather address them with
madame or
monsieur and if known, followed by their last name.
If you need to ask a stranger for directions always begin with
Excusez-moi (excuse me) and again add
madame or
monsieur and continue with
bonjour.
It is customary for the French to shake hands whenever meeting someone for the first time. The handshake is a firm grip with one motion, rather than the customary pumping handshake.
With familiar acquaintances, the French greet with a kiss on the cheek and the number of kisses varies with region and situation. Don’t take the first step, but be ready to follow the lead of the French person during the greeting.
Bon appétit! Lunch is an important meal for the French and post offices, banks and some businesses close in the middle of the day for the lunch break. With the exception of brasseries and cafes, most restaurants do not open for dinner until 7:00PM. Meals are served in a leisurely fashion and usually exceed one hour unless you are eating at a fast food restaurant. (Yes, there are plenty of McDonald’s in France.)
Tipping is rarely expected as the restaurant tab includes a service charge. However, if you receive exceptional service, it is customary to leave an additional modest amount (1 or 2 euros).
