CUSTOMS AND NORMS OF POLITENESS IN FRANCE - 9 THINGS TO NOT DO
- Jul 3, 2017
- 2 min read
In a previous article HERE, I listed the things you need TO DO when you are in France, now let’s see the things you need to be careful about. Norms of politeness are totally different from a country and another, knowing them and applying them is a form of respect.
Of course, you are not supposed to know everything and it’s well-known that we learn from
our mistakes.
9 THINGS TO NOT DO
1 Sneezing or blowing your nose too loudly.
2 Spitting in the street is forbidden.
3 Burping in public and yawning without putting your hand in front of your mouth is very impolite.
4 Tips are not mandatory but it is customary in restaurants and bars.
5 Making too much noise and talking with a full mouth in restaurants or if you are invited at someone's house.
6 Speaking loudly when you are in public spaces. Be careful also when you are talking on the phone. It's like showing respect to others. French people like quiet places.
7 Smoking in public places and inside buildings is forbidden in France (restaurants except in terrace, train station, hotels, museums…). However, you can smoke everywhere in the streets, there is no reserved areas for smokers.
8 Staring at people.
9 Being late at an appointment, for your rendez-ious with a French person.
After 5 minutes you are considered as late. You will probably discover that some French people are always late… please be sure that they are considered to be impolite. Please be aware of one exception! When you are invited for dinner by a French family, you are not supposed to arrive before nor on time. The best is to come with 5-10 minutes of delay. Why? Because we consider that we have to give some time to the host to finish the preparation of the dinner, coming during the preparation will make the host uncomfortable.
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