Going to France for a month, and I don't want to offend anyone!?

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Rillifane

Generally speaking the French are more formal than most North Americans.

In everyday speech this means appending "s'il vous plÃ¢it" to any request. It means saying "je voudrais" and not "donnez moi" when ordering from a menu. It means calling the waiter "Monsieur" and not "GarÃ§on." It means greeting the staff at a shop with "Bonjour" (madam or monsieur as appropriate) before ordering something and saying goodbye when you leave.

The French tend to follow the older practice of not calling each other by first names or using the familiar without at least some acquaintance (although this is not so much true of young people).

So with the family you will stay with be sure to address the adults with some deference and respect. Until and unless they give you permission to address them some other way call them Monsieur (lastr name) and Madame (last name) and don't use their first names.

The easy presumption of friendship or the discussing of personal matters with relative strangers that is common in North America is sometimes seen as boorish or crude by the French.

Americans in particular who will talk about the intimate details of their love lives, the state of their personal finances, and the cost of everything they own with someone they met ten minutes ago are, for that reason, regarded as utterly outrÃ©.

On the other hand, Americans, who have been taught to never discuss politics or religion, sometimes think they are being singled out for abuse when the French express their opinions on such matters. Not so. This is just a matter of the French love of good, substantive argument.

Moreover, the French are quieter and more subdued than Americans. Speaking loudly is frowned on. "Loud" clothing is also not much liked. Muted and/or dark colors are what you should pack.

Food in France is not fundamentally different from that served in Britain or the United States but you should be prepared to deal with some differences.

French breakfasts tend to be very simple and the bacon and eggs sort of big meal that Americans and Brits sometimes eat just isn't done. Expect cafe au lait and a roll or bread.

The French eat dinner much later than either Yanks or Brits. Expect your evening meal at 7:30 or 8:00 PM.

Bread isn't buttered except at breakfast or with the cheese course. Luckily, French bread is the best in the world and not the squishy, cottony junk most Americans eat.

The French eat their meat rare and even chicken can be served slightly pink. If you're the type who wants his steak cooked untill its grey, you'll have a hard time in France.

One thing you'll notice is that while the French eat fabulous food the number of obese French people is much lower than in the USA or the UK. Moderation in portion size is one reason and eating a more balanced diet is another. If you're a fussy eater or the type who wants a big plate of meat and turns up his nose at veggies you need to adjust.

The bottom line is that you need to keep an open mind, observe what others are doing, always remember that even in ordinary things there can be differences, and be ready to do things as your hosts do them rather than as you do them at home.

You're very lucky to have this opportunity and you should make the most of it.

Best of luck. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

French-Pipow !!

I'm french and i must say that i totally agree with what "rillifan... " said ... i can't think of anything more right now ... =) but i'm sure they would appreciate you if you could try to say some random things in french , they will love the accent , it's sure !!

philippephilosophe

the only thing I remenber is not to take in the fridge if they don't say you to do it
as clothes ,just nothing" too much" ,confortable but not extravagant by size or colors

xakilegnasp

make sure you say good morning to every person individually and not a general good morning, the same goes when leaving the house, at the table follow the lead of the hostess, they might not be too formal, but table manners are important in France, Hope you have fun.

Snape is hot!

Hey just do what I did today when I met a French reporter at the Obama campaign today. I went crazy and told him that I love French people, and want to go to France to marry them all. Ok, I wouldn't reccomend doing that...

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