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.
Smiling at strangers
The French don't tend to smile at people they don't know, or smile continuously in interactions, and might feel awkward about reciprocating the gesture. You might be thinking you're being extra friendly to make them feel at ease, while they might be thinking “is this person OK/ are they in pain?”
Visiting. 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.
Smiling at Strangers While not “rude”, this does cause big miscommunication problems. It isn't really done in France, especially not on the street. If a woman smiles at a man on the street, he will think she's making a pass and start following her.
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.
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.
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.
A good part of the “French people are rude” myth stems from a very basic cultural difference: Americans smile often and the French smile only when they really want to. In the United States a smile is a sign of friendliness and trust. It's not uncommon for passing strangers to smile at each other as a sign of goodwill.
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.
In France, we refrain from calling after 22:00 hours on the phone (10 pm), except when calling close friends. Spitting in the street is strictly prohibited. Belching in public is very rude. Yawning without covering your mouth, nose or sneezing loudly are also considered very bad behavior.
Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Top it off with a scarf and you will look tres French.
You'll come across as impolite if you don't say bonjour and that's not the first impression you'll want to make. It's even seen as insulting to not say bonjour in French and then French get the reputation for being rude or snobby… but that's a conversation for another day.
Tipping is not required in France (although there are a few exceptions). You don't need to tip French waitstaff because they get a living wage and benefits. It is NOT considered rude to tip in France. There is no standard percentage for tips in France.
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.
The French lifestyle is all about the art of living life to the fullest. Living life with pleasure and enjoyment is always a priority, whether that's through social gatherings, excellent food, or beautiful surroundings.
French people report being relatively less happy than one might expect, given their high standard of living. Brulé shows that this is largely due to their lack of freedom. French people report that they feel considerably less free than people in other developed nations.
“I think it's a cultural, conversational tic.” As with most conversational tics – like asking how someone is without actually caring to know the answer – complaining in France is above all a means of forging interpersonal connection. And it's an apt one.
“Je t'aime” means I love you, but “Je t'aime bien” means I kind of like you.
Compared to New York or London, Paris isn't a particularly noisy city, and nightlife rowdiness is relatively rare in a culture where most locals drink and party moderately.
Sundays are quiet for the French — typically, the day is devoted to rest, family, and a time-honored commitment to relaxation. Most businesses shut their doors after about noon, and many don't open them at all. Don't worry about lost time, though; in many ways, this is when Parisian joie de vivre is in its truest form.
French law is very strict with limiting employee's working hours. Employees cannot work more than 10 hours a day, 44 hours a week (on average of 12 weeks), unless specified on the collective agreement.