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.
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?”
For example, in Russia, people do not smile because it implies that you are at best foolish or at worst, sneaky and manipulative. Even in candid family photos, adults appear with stony, scowling faces. In Japan, smiling is a way to show respect or to hide what you're actually feeling.
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.
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.
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is also the country that smiles the most globally.
The Netherlands (they claim to be the happiest and most confident with their smiles)!
Silence in Listening Cultures
Asian and Nordic countries have listening cultures where silence denotes careful thought. These cultures think that pauses (silence) in a conversation keep the interchange calm. In some cases, silence can be a way to allow everyone to save face.
Without a doubt, the hardest part of learning French is the pronunciation. Written French and spoken French seem worlds apart at first, since there are a number of rules that dictate when certain letters are not pronounced, or words are suddenly squashed together.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Denmark: In the top spot, with an impressive DMFT Score of 0.4 At the very pinnacle of the list have Denmark. The data indicates Denmark has the best oral health of all the countries in the entire world.
Italy is truly the world's most beautiful country. It flaunts the most inspiring cultural treasures and magnificent scenery, which you cannot find anywhere in the world.
Coming in at the top of the list as the most beautiful place on earth is Indonesia, which has a natural beauty score of 7.77 out of 10.
According to the 2022 World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the fifth year in a row. It's followed by Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands in the annual survey released on Friday, March 18, 2022, that ranks countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.
Top ranked Sweden has the highest ratings worldwide on press freedom, environmental performance, and gender equality. As for other top ranking countries, Canada is rated high in social progress, Switzerland in happiness, and Australia in peace.
Bread mistake
It's fitting that France has a superstition based on bread. Apparently, putting the nation's treasured baguette (or any loaf of bread, for that matter) upside down on a table will bring bad luck.
Try and arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes late
While in many countries this is considered rude, in France it's an unspoken rule. Guests will always arrive a little late – lest they surprise their host in the middle of the preparations.