#Example of a faux pas how to#
#Example of a faux pas zip#

Tu and vous both mean “you” but it’s not always so cut and dry. The French would not only be surprised and find it awkward to hug (how long do we hug for?, where do I put my arms?, do I hug back?, etc.), but they’d be extremely embarrassed and find the whole exchange super uncomfortable due to the physical contact. You see, French people find hugs extremely intimate (read: reserved for lovers) and instead greet friends and family with cheek kisses called bisous. I learned real fast not to repeat the greeting with my mother-in-law. The first time I met my now father-in-law, I greeted him with a big, friendly American hug. And in regular conversation, skipping the niceties to get the point might seem too abrupt or even rude to a French person. Sometimes Tom’s email interactions or phone conversations with customer service people leave me laughing and wondering why it seems like we’re almost apologizing for bothering them about THEIR mistake. There are subtle nuances to the French language that you might not notice at first, but they’re there. Tom wrote about the social differences in this Ask Tom Tuesdays post.Ħ.

I found out after the fact that asking my pharmacist (who I’d known for a year at that point) about his family vacation wasn’t normal, polite conversation (where it would be in the U.S.).

#Example of a faux pas zip#

Beyond a simple hi and small talk about the weather, try to zip it. Friendly conversations getting too friendly.

#Example of a faux pas how to#

(I wrote a piece on marché know-how here if you’re curious.)ĭining etiquette in France: How to wow your French dining companion! > Socialĥ. Sometimes there are signs to remind you to keep your paws off the produce, so if you see one, obey! The vendors will handle it for you most of the time - just point. Wow your French dining companion with my must-read tips >Ĥ. The French eat their salad to finish the meal, not to start it! This varies by region somewhat but generally a salad is eaten after the main dish. Eating your salad before the main course. I actually eat a ton of meat in France.ģ. I think it pains my father-in-law to char my steak to the point of being well-done so at this point, I just eat the meat medium and I’ve actually gotten used to it. I’ve definitely had to adjust my habits.Ģ. is pretty normal and 9 isn’t too strange. Dinner seems to be no earlier than 7 p.m. It was dark, we were hungry and it was time to eat. when I was young, eating dinner at 6 p.m. Here are few of my favorite French faux pas: Foodġ. This is by no means an inclusive list and it’s not the end of the world if you commit a faux pas below, but they are things to keep in mind when adapting to French culture. Here are the biggest French faux pas you can commit and why I think #7 is the worst. But as time went on and I started to interact with more French people, go out to eat and go about my day-to-day life, I realized that I didn’t know as much as I had thought.

Once upon a time, I arrived in France thinking I could speak halfway decent French and knew enough about the French way of doing things that I’d be right at home.