If you arrive late, it is considered rude and the host may be offended. While that is the custom in America, it is not the custom around the world. In fact, in France, arriving on time to a dinner party is considered rude. The proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes late to the party.
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.
While you should endeavour to be punctual, you will not be considered to be late, should you come ten minutes after the scheduled time. French people treat punctuality very casually, however, still there remains a regional difference, If you go towards south of France you go towards the more relaxed way.
Punctuality is valued and appreciated in French business culture. Offer business cards to the receptionist or secretary upon arriving in an office, and to each person you subsequently meet.
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.
In Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Canada, people are punctual for appointments in the business, health care and education sectors. It is considered rude to waste the time of others by arriving late.
The French lifestyle is all about living a simple life, it doesn't revolve around money, work, or having the most beautiful or most expensive things. It's about enjoying the best moments in your life, with your friends and family, enjoying meals, your surroundings and life in general, day by day.
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.
At age 17, about half of French teenagers have experienced their first sexual intercourse. With a median age of 17.6 for women and of 17.4 for men in 2010, the gap between the sexes has narrowed to a few months.
French people eat dinner quite late. Most French people eat dinner at 8 pm or later. Some French families, especially if they do not have young children, may start dinner as late as 9 pm or 9:30 pm.
While speaking English, in Paris, is not considered rude, expecting every French person to speak French will surely be seen as such. To avoid a cold reaction from the other party, it will always be appreciated to start the conversation with a simple sentence in French.
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.
Parisian women have finally caught up with the 21st century (and the end of the 20th century for that matter): They can now wear pants! January 31, the 213-year-old ban was officially lifted. "The repeal of the law... was made by France's Minister for Women's Rights, Ms.
The French favour design over practicality. They like innovation for the sake of creativity, even when there is no practical need for it. (incidentally, this is the polar opposite of the Japanese mindset). The French raison d'être is "measured intellectual performance".
Say bonjour every place you go.
Even if you don't see anybody when you walk in, say "Bonjour." Someone will probably hear you and reply. Any time you walk up to a counter in a hotel or a ticket window in a museum, theater, etc, say "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir" before you start asking questions.
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.
Avoid asking personal questions relating to one's age, sexual orientation, family or children unless you have a well-established friendship. The French highly value their privacy and the privacy of others. Inquiring about one's salary and finances is taboo.
French people are unlikely to smile at passing strangers, servers or even (if you'll believe it) lost American tourists. While it's fairly common for Americans to smile throughout a conversation, French conversations tend to be more straight-faced.
The French also have a somewhat relaxed attitude toward punctuality, unless there's a meal involved. While you should do your best to be on time, there's usually a ten-minute “grace period” for appointments before you're “late.” However, for meals and social events, you'd better be on time.
It is not necessarily rude to leave food on a plate in Paris, but when someone is finished eating, they should place their knife and fork across their plate to indicate to the waiter they are done. Otherwise, the plate will not be cleared.
The law in France is on your side: it states that people should make no noise at all between 10pm and 7am, and nothing above 'ambient noise' for a prolonged period outside of these times, and by now you have extensive evidence to use to show that your neighbour has been breaking this law.
Generally the French are a little more closed off and not so open and friendly as other groups, but this doesn't mean that it's impossible to make friends with them. Just remember to go about it in the right way, make an effort to learn the language and culture, and be patient.