Men will greet each other by shaking hands. Men who are close friends may hug. Women will often greet each other with a handshake or by kissing once on each cheek. Men who know the woman they are greeting, may exchange a kiss on each cheek.
That's because while it is customary for women in France to greet both men and women with a kiss on each cheek, men generally reserve la bise for close male friends or family.
Among friends and relatives, the most common greeting is the 'la bise' (kiss on both cheeks). The la bise consists of placing one's cheek against another's, making a kiss noise, then repeating it on the opposite side. A la bise is sometimes accompanied with an embrace.
Adults say "tu" to children and kiss them on the cheek, even if they have just met for the first time. To greet people, you say "Bonjour". Among young people and students, "Salut" is used more frequently.
The French do not just say 'Salut'. They also shake hands or kiss. At work in the morning, colleagues shake hands, and sometimes it is also customary to shake hands again at the end of the day. Shaking hands is thus a ritual at the beginning and end of each encounter, even if the encounter only lasts five minutes.
The two main forms of address you will need to use are “Monsieur” (Dear Sir) and “Madame” (Dear Madame), used when addressing men and women, respectively. If you know the name of the person, you should use it afterwards (e.g. Monsieur John Doe, Madame Jane Doe, and so forth.)
It is rude to sit with one's legs spread apart unless in a relaxed context. Rather, sit straight with your legs crossed at the knee or knees together. Feet should not be placed on tables or chairs. If someone is invited to a restaurant or a business function, it is acceptable to arrive at the specific time.
The most common greeting in French is the very useful “bonjour”, and “bonsoir”. The first can be used throughout the day, and the second in the evening. “Salut” is also widely used in a more informal setting. These are the most basic greetings that will commonly be learned in lessons for French for kids.
Another tip to respect the French etiquette is politeness. Manners are very important to French people and can be tricky for overseas visitors. “Please” (s'il voul plait ) “Thank you” ( merci ) and “You're welcome” ( je vous en prie or de rien) are used in any circumstances, whenever given the chance.
“Good evening” in French – Bonsoir!
The same as the clasique Bonjour, Bonsoir is a universal greeting suitable for most social contexts. The only restriction is the moment of the day. So once the twilight settles in, it is safe to switch from Bonjour to Bonsoir!
Public displays of affection (PDA) aren't a taboo in France. Couples hold hands, hug, and kiss regularly. Perhaps this is the reason why the reputation for French romantic freedom is so widespread.
Expect Lots of Flirting
But whether you're single or not, in France, there is plenty of flirting regardless of marital status. To both sides, flirting is an art form. So you're going to see it thrown around a lot.
Despite stereotypes monogamy is very important. As kissing someone is considered very meaningful in France, so too is sleeping with someone. While the French may be masters of flirting and love the chase, true intimacy is more reserved than you may expect.
In France, saying bonjour in French is a sign of respect and a cultural norm. It's not optional to forgo the greeting if you want people to know that you understand French manners.
Generally speaking, bonjour is the standard method of saying “good morning.” But depending on where in the world you are, you may also be able to say bon matin! Interestingly, you generally want to say bonjour to someone once per day.
The most common is to offer the right cheek for la bise. However, in some parts of France, especially in the South and South-East, we offer the left cheek first! Once the cheek is presented, how many kisses should you give? In most cases, 2 is the norm.
Hugging in France
Unlike Americans, the French do not use hugging as a greeting. Instead, they kiss cheeks (faire la bise) informally and shake hands in formal settings.
Refusing food or drink in someone's home
The French are big on hospitality and always welcome guests with refreshments. This is just the 'done thing', and refusing food and drink is considered a direct snub of their welcome and will almost always offend the French.
Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is understood as a form of respect. It is considered to be extremely rude not to make and maintain eye contact. Gestures: French people tend to use the 'thumbs up' sign to indicate 'okay'. Making a circle with the thumb and index finger means 'zero' in France.
Bad French Table Manners Are… To start drinking before everybody has a full glass in front of them (and someone has a chance to make a toast). To keep your hands under the table. If you are a man, to serve yourself before offering the food to the woman sitting next to you.