Tips on being polite in France?

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Cabal

Wiseman's answer cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh, I needed it. I now imagine all those restaurant staff wearing placards saying 'tip me or I vill put snail in your steack hachÃ©, vile English speaker of ze enemy country." LOL
But as he obviously never went to France just ignore his answer.

The most polite way to address a French is to say : "Bonjour."
Then you switch to English and say "excuse me, do you speak English".
Do not forget the Bonjour, it primes the pump so to speak, brings the defences down to neutral and allow you to engage in a polite exchange. I know, we are verrrry formal. In cities with lots of tourists you will find plenty of people who do speak English in the tourist and service trade but among the 'normal' city dwellers this is way less true, and even less among the older generation. As well, speak slowly and clearly, we are better at written English than spoken English. Lack of training.

You do tip in restaurants but it is habit, not mandatory. There is a 15% service charge included in the price, you will find a notice at the bottom of the menu and/or the bill. Despite this we usually leave a little bit more. If the service was bad either you leave nothing or you leave one or two cents as an insult.
As a restaurant etiquette, I would say do not forget to say bonjour to the person serving you as well.

Livia

the french like when you try to speak french and when you walk into a resturant or a shop say bonjour!! which means hello. i dont know french but my mom does we just knew little words like that you might want to carry around a pocket dictonary.
parlez-vous l'anglais ? that means do you speak english? most people there are used to tourists and know how to point things out and know english.

but Unlike in America, cafes and restaurants in France directly include a 15 percent service charge in your check. Its required by French law as tips are assessed for taxation purposes.

good luck! hope i helped

S J

I used to live there.
Don't worry to much about being polite in Nice, your usuals manners will be ok.
You should tip at restaurant even if service charge is included in the price. Tourists gave us this habit :)
You might be surprised beaucause the people in this regions aren't... how to say this... the kindest people in the country. But it will be fine!

Have a nice trip in Nice, one of the most beautiful town in France.

qriste

see these answers:
http://fr.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlvhbYaMz52py8q4U7QoWKg4Agx.;_ylv=3?qid=20090403130414AASx5Xy&show=7#profile-info-111a4453fe8d141291cf1638106dbad0aa

Andy F

idk im american

wiseman/guru

The French don't speak English ~ since 1340's. Just to be nasty, rude and belittling towards you. They hate every thing English. Try Spanish, or any other language you know! Tips are written down by law and are displayed on badges worn by the waiters, porters, taxi drivers. Don't try to skimp because you will come of second best. Not a very good place for tourist, and Expensive!!!!!
Peace.

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