Personal space is not as important to the French as it is to Anglo-Saxons and Americans. They are comfortable with a distance of one foot, while British people normally stand about two feet apart. In general, when you see French people conversing, they will stand in closer proximity than British or American people.
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.
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.
Private. 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.
Researchers surveyed 9,000 people across 42 countries, and concluded that Argentines in general stand 2.5 feet away from strangers – much less than any other country. (Romanians require the most personal space).
There are some countries where people do not have a lot of personal space at all. For example, people who live in Bulgaria, Peru, and Argentina are known to stand very close to strangers. When people walk down the street in these countries, it is not unusual for people to stand right next to strangers as they walk.
The scientists found that residents of Argentina, Peru and Bulgaria stand the closest to strangers, while those from Romania, Hungary and Saudi Arabia want the most space. Americans were somewhere in the middle. This graph shows the personal distances of people from various countries in the study.
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!
The French very rarely hug. In France, hugs are not a part of daily life. 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.
The French highly value their privacy and the privacy of others. Inquiring about one's salary and finances is taboo. To do so is considered highly inappropriate, regardless of how close the relationship is between those conversing.
Public displays of affection in France
People kiss acquaintances when they meet them in the street and you even shake hand with the plumber when he comes to fix your leaky pipe: the French are definitely touchy-feely. So, in Paris (and other major cities) anything goes; elsewhere, be more restrained.
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.
Because they feel like it
In general, staring is not considered as rude in France as in some other places. Although French mamans will tell their children that it's rude to stare (or to point) that doesn't mean that people don't do it when they grow up.
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. A few years ago a group of Japanese scientists conducted a study of facial expressions in Japanese and American participants.
“French men pay attention to things like women wearing make-up, perfume, dressing well, and they enjoy a woman's sensuality.” This doesn't mean they expect women to be mere 'eye candy,' though. To the contrary, explains Carol: “French culture appreciates both the sensual and the intellectual."
It is true that in France, faire la bise is firmly anchored in the habits of the French, and… we kiss each other all day long: it is a must ritual! More than a tradition, it's a habit and even a reflex.
It's something most French people engage in at least once or twice a day, whether with family or friends, or with colleagues. But despite being a part of everyday life in France, la bise can be complicated. Let's talk about all things bise, and learn more about kissing in French in general.
You might say that flirting is an art form in this playful nation; this goes for both sexes, too. French women, for instance, are expected to play to their feminine side and be admired for their beauty and wit. They might smile in excess, blush, and laugh at your jokes, all the while playing with their hair.
The poll seems to confirm the age old myth. Yes, French men are indeed notorious philanderers. Even though 45% of men in France remain faithful to their lady loves and wives, the majority are still committing the crime of juggling two or maybe even more lovers at the same time.
Indeed, some 66 percent Parisian men say they've had a one night stand, compared to 50 percent of women. In fact, 44 percent of Parisian men say they've even slept with someone whose name they didn't know.
France is renowned for its sensuality. In this way, erotic love is expressed healthily. This isn't something that is sordid or dirty like many other countries consider it to be. It's considered a healthy expression of love, and for that reason all intimacy is considered beautiful.
Right now, for instance, Russia controls the space station's propulsion control systems, which provide regular boosts that keep the ISS upright and prevent the station from falling out of orbit. Without Russia's help, that machinery would, presumably, need to be handed over to NASA, or replaced.
1. NASA – the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA, United States, no doubt holds the first position. It was established in October 1958 and has been involved in high profile space programmes since then.
American, as a whole, are people who like a bit more personal space compared to people from other cultures. Most Americans value their personal space and feel discomfort, upset, or anxiety when another person gets too close. This is especially true when talking to or meeting a new person and when in groups.