Respect is shown in verbal greetings by referring to the person as 'Madam' ('Ms') or 'Monsieur' ('Mr'). Though previously the title 'Madam' referred to a married woman and 'Mademoiselle' referred to an unwed woman, this practice is no longer commonplace.
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.
How to be polite in France — what to do: ALWAYS start any interaction off with a greeting: bonjour during the day and bonsoir at night. Bonjour madame (or monsieur for a man) is appreciated as well. Always say hello before asking for directions, ordering food, and any interaction with a French person.
Always address people as Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle unless you are invited to be on first-name basis. Use tu and vous properly. The kiss (or kisses) on the cheeks between two people is called faire la bise and it is a common cultural practice in France.
French people tend not to visit unannounced or uninvited. To do so is considered rude. When invited to a dinner, it is common for guests to ask their hosts if they are required to bring something on the day. Guests may also bring a bottle of wine or dessert.
France - Two vulgar gestures in France would be to snap the fingers of both hands or slap an open palm over a closed fist. Russia - Shaking hands across a threshold is considered unlucky.
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.
French Values
The French motto “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” reflects the values of French society. Equality and unity are important to the French. The French also value style and sophistication, and they take pride in the beauty and artistry of their country. Family is also highly valued in French culture.
The French are private people and have different rules of behaviour for people within their social circle and those who are not. Although the French are generally polite in all dealings, it is only with their close friends and family that they are free to be themselves.
The most famous way to say hello in France is the famous la bise. In France, everyone kisses each other (on the cheek) : women to each other, women and men, and sometimes men to each other. La bise remains an equally familiar gesture to do with friends and family.
respect → respect, égard, point, piété, respecter, prestige, renommée, réputation.
The French celebrate the traditional Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. They mark May Day, also known as Labor Day, on May 1. Victory in Europe Day on May 8 commemorates the end of hostilities in Europe in World War II. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14.
French values
The French national motto “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” reflects the core values of French society. Equality and unity are important to the French. Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité'are often identified as essential to what it means to be 'French'.
The French have an undeniable reputation when it comes to love and sex. They are passionate, enticing and simply irresistible. French people have a way with words and actions that's all about love. And when it comes to displaying their fairness in bed, they are said to be absolute sex gods!
4 – Flirting is an Artform in France
It's in our genes and it's socially accepted in France. A Frenchwoman is expected to play her feminine side, and be “admired” for her beauty and wit among other qualities. Frenchmen like to flirt as well, even if they know very well there is no hope of it leading anywhere.
Typical physical characteristics of French people include olive skin, darker features, definition in the nose and brow, and slightly larger eyes. The French have a wide collection of stereotypes, including being hopeless romantics, very elegant, stuck up, and highly intelligent.
It's not a sign of unfriendliness but simply a different way of conducting interactions. French people aren't unhappy or rude, they simply smile a little bit less than Americans tend to expect. In fact, Americans value smiles a lot more than many cultures.
when you meet a person for the second time during the day you just say , “hi” or “hello”. But in France, saying bonjour several times is super rude.
More than a tradition, it's a habit and even a reflex. Of Latin origin, the greeting kissing persists in countries where the culture of contact dominates, and this culture is deeply rooted in France. The French still greet each other by touching each other, kissing or shaking hands.
But tapping under your nose with two fingers is a gesture used in France to mean something's too easy.
For Parisians eye contact is a personal matter, much like your choice of wine, or infidelity in relationships. As a general rule, you have to avoid looking strangers in the eye; it's slightly offensive.
Where / When: In France, you can't go wrong with the all-time classic thumbs-up. However, beware of the “OK” sign from the U.K. and U.S., where you join your index and thumb to make a circle. In several European countries, including France, it's a negative sign meaning “Zero” or “Worthless.”
How deep does this phlegm of ours go? The French are known to be sparing with their compliments, but they usually mean every single word when they do give one. You might not get much praise from them, but when you do, you'll know it means something and it's not overacted.