Staring at a person is considered very rude. Speaking loudly to a person who accompanies you or when on the phone is also frowned upon. At the end of a meal, it is normal in France to share the bill equally among all the guests, unless one of them wants to pay everything.
Don't ask people you've just met personal questions – the French are very private. This means no talking about age, income, marital status, or even what the person did last weekend – these topics are considered quite rude and should be avoided.
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.
Showing up for meetings unannounced is unacceptable in France. Give plenty of notice about your intentions for a meeting, and respect the time you have been given.
A polite formality governs daily life in Paris. Say “Bonjour” (hello ), “Merci” (thank you) and “au revoir” ( goodbye ) whenever you leave a place. At first it can be quite disconcerting being greeted by a complete stranger in the close confines of an elevator.
Eye contact is not considered rude in France, however, the level of eye contact may vary depending on the situation. French people do make eye contact while speaking as it is a sign of attentiveness and interest.
Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and haram).
At the more extreme end, incest and cannibalism are both considered taboos in most places.
Francophobe. / (ˈfræŋkəʊˌfəʊb) / noun(sometimes not capital) a person who hates or despises France or its people. Canadian a person who hates or fears Canadian Francophones.
However, eating well in Paris does require a little bit of work on ... Walking and eating is still seen as surprising or even vulgar by many people. And if you eat in public outside of appointed meal times, just be ... Go French, and eat big at lunch and even bigger at dinner.
French etiquette indicates that you should finish your plate, or the host will be offended (thinking that the meal was bad).
Complaining is: a way of resisting fatalism and resignation: the French often mobilize to defend their rights or ideals. a sign of frankness and honesty: the French do not like to pretend to be happy or satisfied when they are not.
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.
No slurping allowed either. Absolutely no burping. To push your food around with your knife in a picky way, and only eat some morsels. To spread pâté or cheese on a big piece of bread as if you were making a sandwich.
Four taboos: sex, religion, politics, pessimism.
Important examples of food avoidance are pork among Jews, Muslims and Ethiopian Christians; beef among Hindus, some Buddhists and Jains; chicken and eggs in some African communities; dog meat in the West; fish in Mongolia and other parts of central Asia; milk and milk products in Polynesia and parts of China.
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.”
Greetings are important in France. Thus, it is necessary to greet others correctly to make a good impression. Handshakes are the norm in a business setting or with acquaintances. It is expected that you will shake hands with everyone present when arriving and leaving.
Jeans can easily be worn year-round and dressed up or down in that chic French way. What is this? The most important tip when wearing jeans like a Parisian is to find a pair that flatters your body type and your personal style. Pick a shade that also works for your body and the season.