What NOT to do in France (French etiquette & things you shouldn't do in France) | French Culture 

We Americans would do well to have these same manners and ways. We used to but over the generations we have stepped down off the curb and do not even realize it. Great video, inspirational too.

One sentence you can say to strangers without sounding weird is " bon appetit " to someone who's eating. You 'll see a smile on while they respond "merci"

Hi, I'm French and I love your videos but in this one, I disagree with many things you talked about. I guess that concern categories of French people but not everyone. For example, you said in France we don't eat pizza or hamburgers with hands but wrong. Where I live, it's contrary, if we see people eating pizza or hamburgers with forks, it's strange 😅. But I totally agree with Bonjour 😅

Oh my goodness. YESSS. I can’t stand people who say that French people are rude when they didn’t even say “bonjour”, didn’t make any effort to speak French, and/or were very loud and obnoxious upon entering, and possibly slowed up the line with their silliness. I have found brightly colored hair and punk style in France though among young and old. The first time I ever noticed someone over the age of 30 with purple hair was actually in France. This lady had to have been well into her 60s. This wasn’t in Paris though which is where you said you lived. Paris very much seems to have its own culture and feel. Honestly, I can tell a Parisian when I see one. They just feel and look so “Paris”.

I am French and I think the way you see and describe things is very much related to the category of people you were used to be around. High class people, with a great education and often high income (probably stupid word association but it is just to explain the category)would most certainly yes never eat anything with their hands. My parents were that kind of people. I had been taught extremelyyoung how to eat shrimps, peaches and apple with the fork (peal them too yess). That being said this is something I wouldn’t do myself anymore in my life, I got in a lower standard category where it would be extremely weird to do so , people would surely make fun of me. Same with money talk and personal questions, those topics are were common between young and (how do you say classe ouvrière?) but it would be seen as rude in high society. It’s an educational preference.

Thanks for your videos, as a French person they're really funny and interesting. I agree with most of your points, except for the nacho part... who eats nachos with a fork and a knife ?! xD Also a good thing to know : French etiquette allows chicken only to be eaten with fingers, even at a restaurant. So don't put too much pressure on yourself to eat your chicken wings with cutlery ;)

Super embarring moment: Was shopping at BHV in Paris and after greeting the sales associate in French and exchanging pleasantries, he assumed I was a local and just started a complete conversation with me in French. This was well beyond my comprehension and I got super flustered, so much so my eyes got huge and I actually blurted out "sprechen sie englische?" quickly followed by "Damn it, wrong country." Needless to say, I was super embarrassed though all of the sales people thought I was hilarious. On the plus side they all told me that I did not "look American" at all, which I took as a compliment.

Bonjour :) As a french i dont agree with several points... We eat whatever is more confortable to eat with our hands, your are not going to be seen as rude if you eat your pizza with your fingers, if you cut it in small pieces first... We can talk about money, i often ask people how much their home cost or other things relate to money... and i dont think im seen as impolite ! You can talk to stangers and start a random discussion and even ask more private questions, but i agree we dont like when strangers come across you and act like you are friends (it seels fake to us), you gotta find the right middle, but de are not gonna bite you :)!!

Hugs are ok with your family members and very close friends, I always hug my mom, dad and sisters ;-)

While in France years ago, I did not have any problems with the people there, contrary to the warnings that they may be rude, etc. I found that being polite was the answer, and it worked well. It helped that I also speak French, although from a different part of the world. Actually, I enjoyed my stay there.

I’ve been to France twice. Once to Paris on my honeymoon where there were very few punks or subculture fashions anywhere I was. I had blue hair and I definitely got some looks. But the other time I came to France was on tour with my band to 2 other towns and obviously there were definitely alternative looking folks and plenty of them. I guess it really depends where you go.

I cannot stop asking myself how would anybody enter anywhere in a shop not saying hello, bonjour, buongiorno, guten Tag...? Was the first thing my mum told me. The second was "thanks" or "please".

The french are a bit more relaxed than this video portrays…the only thing in this video is an ABSOLUTE is greetings, maybe the baguette…just be yourself, no matter where you are and you will find your groove without losing yourself.

I traveled to Paris in the 1990s and I found the people very helpful if you at least try to use the language and are polite. Good home training makes you more acceptable no matter where you travel. I taught myself all the polite words and greetings as well as how to count, left right and where is the toilet. Please and Thank you are magic words. If you do not act like a tourist you can hava great deal of fun for little money. I would have my breakfast of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and a baguette or croissant in the inn I stay at the walked or to the metro everywhere. There were so many beautiful parks to sit in as I ate the fresh baguette I carried with me and drank the local soda which was much cheaper than the big brands. I felt very safe walking the streets and the Metros at night things may have changed but I have beautiful memories of Paris every morning I would walk out of my little Inn and turn my head to the Right and there was Notre Dame and to the left was everywhere I planned on going that day.

About why French people are coconuts (in a nutshell, haha), it is mainly because non-verbal communication is considered obvious. Not saying "bonjour", "merci", etc... means you actively refuse to be polite to them which they will consider offensive. Asking about someone's life means you want to know them, but if they consider the moment isn't right or they don't know you well enough/why you want to know them, they will find that suspicious. French people will often consider there is intent in what you do and will thus be very attentive to everyone else's behavior And for the flashy colors, France often find beauty in nuance. French meals, songs, clothes, all of that isn't flashy. No big colors, no mouth-filling taste, etc..., just as you wouldn't turn on a spotlight right in your face when you're accustomed to looking at LED.

Bonjour! My daughter and I are in France right now but I watched your videos before we left for here. They were so helpful! The bonjour, especially has been so helpful. And merci often. And saying a few words (trying) in French. And making sure we are a bit quieter than normal, to adjust to French expectations- because we are, after all, guests in their home.

Hello ! I'm French and it's super interesting to hear from people living or who have lived in France their point of view and lived ^^ The "bonjour", the magic word which will cheer up all French. So if you are talking to a person for the first time better to say "vous" than "tu" and the person you are talking to will tell you if they prefer you to use "tu" ("tu peux me tutoyer"the person will say). Otherwise be yourself stress free and if you have any doubts about something just ask nicely and you will be informed how to do it by french people (and if the person in front is rude or mocking, well, there are assholes in all countries and she does not your interest)

I called a French friend from the gardens of Versailles to tell him how spectacular the night program of music, lights and water fountains was and he said he couldn’t talk to me, he was on the train! Thanks for the comment below about quiet on trains!! :). Thanks Rosie!

As a French born and raised in France and still living in Paris, I often wonder when I listen to your experiences, what kind of people you got to deal with while living in France. It's so funny to hear your stories ! For example I consider myself a really normal person and not rude at all and I eat my fries and pizza and croque-monsieur with my hands, make mmmh sounds when I eat something yummy, speak passionately and emotionnaly about my life and hobbies, I hug my people, I sometimes multi color paint my nails (though I do think that fake tan and cheap dying hair are not pretty at the end ) and I often cross with punks (especially in Toulouse). Maybe you got to know a few more posh people than me but it's really funny to hear those concepts ! (But you're 100% right on the bonjour and merci rules ! That applies for every one !) Hope you can travel soon !

Surprised you haven't seen any alternative people tbh. I know there is a big Goth community in Paris. My friends all dress mainly in black, although the older ones have toned it down a bit now, but, I know one of the girls wears Victorian attire a lot and the younger ones colour their hair too. The guys wear eyeliner and nail varnish., quite a few other sub cultures in Paris too.

When we cheers, it's more like a joke to look heavely into the eyes, because we used to say that it can cause bad luck if you don't, but no one really believes it. Actually, the only reason to look in the eyes while saying "santé" is that you are wishing others a good health, so it's more polite to look to the one you are speaking at. You should understand it like you adress that wish with your eyes. Kind of. But the whole thing of looking heavely is really more of a joke, to make fun of this old belief.

hi , just come across your video: and yep i can relate to this so well: we have lived in france for16 years; English and yes have made these error: down to asking for help in a shop without saying bonjour to not greeting everyone; hopefully after all this time we are getting better: i wasn't aware about the no hugging part; but recently i did hug a french friend who just froze:now i know why: thanks very much

I remember in the 80s in Paris, everywhere you went, there was neon, and a ton of punk culture everywhere. It took years before I saw it in Canada, London, or the US. When I finally did see it in the West, it wasn't as big as it had been in France. It most probably started in France.

About the style point : imo France strikes a good balance . I remember an interview with a japanese expat (I believe on Louis-san’s channel) who pointed out that there was a lot less pressure to « fit in » and « do like everyone else » in France than in Japan and that it taught her to be herself . And imo that’s the good middle ground . When you don’t feel a need to fit in and tow the line , but where you also don’t feel a need to stand out . You just need to be yourself , and for most people that’s not very flashy . Obviously you can always find exceptions , especially in high school when you’re a teenager . But overall that’s why you see less extravagance in public except in specific communities

I generally don't always fully agree with the foreign point of view of french people but this time i do 100%. Very very true.

The main difference in greetings for me is definitely having to say hello to everyone individually. Even in Australia, some people (like my mother) prefer long goodbyes. And it's pretty normal to say goodbye to people individually (just not hello for some reason). My mum always used to scold me for not following guests all the way to the door to say goodbye to them.

Just a note: I'm thinking you haven't spent much time in the north of France? Because there's quite a bit more punk/edgy style there.

Salut, je suis totalement d'accord sur l'importance de dire bonjour et au revoir à tout le monde. Les personnes qui ne disent pas bonjour à tout le monde sont très très mal vu par ceux qui ont été ignoré. J'ai passé 3 mois en Angleterre et j'étais vexée de l'impolitesse des personnes...puis j'ai compris que c'était simplement deux cultures différentes...mais j'étais quand même énervée 😅 Pour les frites, quand elles sont présentées dans un petit panier ou en corner c'est normal de les manger avec les doigts. Par contre dans un restaurant quand elles sont dans l'assiette je préfère les manger avec la fourchette. Merci pour cette vidéo 👍

Hey😄Would love to see a video on how your husband has managed living in New Zealand

I stayed in a tiny village in France several times and at the boulangerie people would walk in and say right away “do you speak English” . You can imagine the reply.

As a french I've never heard about the baguette being upside down, afterall why would you even set it on table on the round crust when there is a flat base to hold it in place ^^'

This video was wonderful, and frankly I heard many things that would apply in the U.S. -- that is, if making a good impression is important to you. For example, yesterday I saw family members for the first time in two years because of the pandemic. When I arrived I was heartily greeted, which made me feel wonderful, but when I left I was too shy to say goodbye to every single person, so kind of slithered out (shamefully)! It would have been gracious to do as you say you should in France and address each person when departing.That would have made others feel as valued as I had felt on arriving. I will remember this! Thank you for a video to listen to again and again!

The constant hello goodbyes gets boring, not too bad day to day. Although I've had it with relatives who have visited in the morning and then the afternoon. Sometimes I'd love to just say goodbye and walk out but I get the respect of if

Saying hello and goodbye to everyone is also a thing in Latin America. I’m Mexican American and yes you have to go around and say hi to everyone & give everyone a hug or handshake when you arrive and before you leave.

I am French. I'm sorry but half of what you say is completely false. Or you live in the great French bourgeoisie completely stuck...

Eating with knife and fork is especially when you are in a real restaurant. Do not put your elbows on the table, this is mainly to avoid disturbing neighbouring guests. I am not aware of a connection with the Middle Ages but perhaps... Kiss (3 bises) from France ;) :))

We live in France and our French neighbour asked us, outright, how much we earned and what our UK house was worth! I've never been asked that in the UK. Her (French) hubby has tattoos.

Tu connais bien nos us et coutumes ; une petite anecdote à propos de la baguette retournée , ma grand-mère nous disait :"on ne gagne pas son pain en travaillant sur le dos " si , par erreur on plaçait le pain à l'envers . WELCOME à nos amis étrangers qui viendront chez nous en France cet été .

please please please DO NOT use film or serie as a way to know the rules !! that's stupid it's like if us we will see The Simpson to know rules in U.S. !! We kisse, we huggs, we speak/ask questions about family work etc... you can speack about money with your friends, you defintitely see tatoos, colors hair, punk, long hair ect .... WE USE OUR HANDS TO EAT ON THE STREET or OUTSIDE IN GENERAL saying we don't it's just a BS !!!!! PLEASE stop saying so many false rules invented by foreigners who want to look "fancy" This kind of video makes me so angry

One should not put cheese in the fridge if you have a "cloche à fromage"!!! This is almost worse than forgetting to say bonjour =) And worst of all are ice cubes in wine, we do believe there is a special place in hell for those grave sinners ^_^

The knife and fork thing is kinda wrong... In "fancy" restaurants or in a simple restaurants with collegues, you do would avoied to use your hands in order to be correct or polite or well educated, but in general, with friends or family, you do use you hands...

You are half right, about bonjour, hug, santé,, money, and not being loudy, and a bit about snacking too, but paris isn't the france, so suburban people and other french population are not as rigid as the ones you crossed, france is a big country and parisians are a specific specie, so, french people are always not as conceited as most of parisians. But yes, kind french educated people are polite usually but not always. Actually there are more and more rude people in france, that don't dress well, that don't talk well, and don't behave at all. Just don't reduce france to paris

so, a more reserved culture then, but perhaps not yet very tolerant or open-minded about cultural differences? ...being restrained is a good thing in my book, but being open-minded and open-hearted is also really important - yes? :)

Bonjour! Great video! I had a bad experience as a teenager (parents didn't educate me on French culture, just told me to go explore on my own, lol!). I thought I was being nice, but apparently I was NOT. What I learned is to obsessively research french culture before going. 🤣 Thanks, hopefully you've helped me to not make those cultural mistakes I fumbled through so many years ago! Merci!

Say “hello” and “thank you” all the time? No elbows on the table? Not wanting to talk about money? Hmmmm. Maybe my mom is French?

As someone who’s been in and out of French culture literally my entire life, I’ve come to the conclusion that they don’t even like themselves so I don’t care about whether or not they like me. It’s been liberating 😂

Very funny video Rosie, I loved it! I agree with most things but I don't agree with the "punk/ Goth/ tattooed style" though. I know you've visited your in-laws many times in Vaucluse (where I live) and I'm surprised you haven't seen people with those types of outfits/ looks here. Maybe in Paris people dress mostly the same but everywhere else in France you can find punks, Goths, people with a lot of tattoos, Kpop styles etc.

There's a lot of people with fake nails, tattos, dyed hair, etc in France, that's really not a problem here

One thing I learned when I lived in Belgium and France was that you MUST greet their dogs as well as the people! And I'm just as bad. I adore my dog ;)

I can’t believe I had to wait 33 years and that you make this video so I can finally know why my mom always needed to put the bread back on the “right” side x). The money thing is getting better and harder at the same time, new generations are getting more at ease with talking about their salaries etc because they are sick of getting f*** by their bosses and their contracts but the situation (as everywhere) is getting really difficult between people coming from different financial situation (especially since les gilets jaunes huge strike) so I would say it depend on who you’re talking to but I feel like 15 years ago it was “no way I’m not gonna discuss my income” but now at least you may ask if it’s okay to do so. But... you know how we love to bring everything back to political topics so... it can escalate quickly x).

Of course some of these would change depending on how close you are with your friends. Hugs aren't an absolute no-no

Having binge-watched so many of your videos over the past week (fantastically enjoyable content by the way)I've learned lots about France and New Zealand. I'm finding it interesting that despite the culture here in the UK being very different from that of France and in many ways unsurprisingly similar to that in New Zealand, in most of the areas where New Zealand and Britain are different, the UK culture is firmly on the French side of the divide. As someone from a Spanish family it's also been interesting to learn the ways in which our neighbours over the Pyrenees differ significantly from us. May I ask, in addition to films and tv shows etc are there places in Wellington or New Zealand in general which have a sort of 'French feel' to them which help you feel a little more connected to France when you go to them? Venues, landscapes, towns etc? Thanks for all the work you put into this channel.

It’s so true what you said about cheering when drinking and in my family we’re always joking exaggerating opening our eyes to make sure we have eye contact!! Love your video and your nails are pretty perfect for the summer;) just subscribed to your channel !

I feel like some in the list makes us pass as some stiff conservative people with a broom stuck you know where, lot of relaxed people here even with food 😊 I don't think the knife and fork for everything is as strong in France as you say. At least not in my experience in personal setup / dinners with family & friends. If there's a slice of pizza or fries it's totally acceptable to eat them with hands. At least in a "clean" kind of way 😁 off course in a lot of restaurant or formal dinners ( weddings etc) people will use cutlery but then it's not the type where usual hand eating items are served ( fries, nachos, ribs etc)

I’m American and I HATE being asked where and/or how much I’ve purchased an item for, especially my clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. It just feels weird and like you want to check up on my spending habits. I hardly ever answer these questions anymore and just say thank you, I found it online.

OMG! I wish I'd found your channel BEFORE I met my Ex and his very French family! I think I broke EVERY rule on your SPOT ON list! 😬🤪 Thank you for all of your videos! As a veeerry American woman, unaware of the 'strict' french culture, I LOVE your videos! But, I learned the hard, embarrassing way! "Uh huh luh"

My tutor told me to never ask why they're always on strike LOL

A great way I like to think of the French is that they are understated. In addition to your examples, one I'd like to add is around eating in a restaurant. If you require assistance from the waiter, simply raise your hand and index finger, next to your face. There's no need to wave your arm and hand in the air. I always understood the service profession to be respected and they do their jobs well. It's difficult for Americans to speak quietly or not be passionate about everything. But, as they say... When in Rome...

My faux pas when meeting the fam of my French gf: immediately ordered a coffee. Before the dinner. The waiter was confused hahaha

Almost exactly like the Persian/Iranian culture. Great video thank you 🙏💕

I have SO MANY things to say ! Cultural shock bonjour (I'm a Frenchie, lemme know what you think about what I say if you want). It's kinda funny that foreigners will get embarassed by "la bise" but not by a whole hug but it's just the other way around. Then it just seems weird that you would start entire conversations with strangers but not say hello when going to ask someone something ? Like if a random person comes at you and starts talking I'd just be like "wow who are you" it's important to "warn" in a sense and saying hi just shows that you don't consider the bus driver like a machine but like a person. Regarding talking about money, there's two problems : first off, is it worth mentioning that your car costs 40k other than to brag about it ? And then, we don't talk much about money because you have to remember that there is probably someone that can hear you and that struggles to make ends meet. Stay humble and don't start talking about how well your job pays you. There are subcultures in France, some people judge, but they are well and alive :). For food YES it depends on where you are. If you're at a fast food, eat how you like, but if you're in a real restaurant try to at least eat your fries with a fork. For snacking, there are several things behind it : we would only drink soda and eat salty/greasy stuff like chips at the apéritif (before dinner). If you eat salty snacks randomly people might tell you you'll lose your appetite for the next real meal (don't mess with the meals), and it's hugely associated with bad health to eat between meals (except for the goûter, more for the kids). IF you do slurping disgusting noises, you will be sent to the guillotine, no exceptions. If you call out "foie gras cruelty", just think about the meat coming out of industrial production that you eat everyday : a bit hypocritical isn't it ? Foie gras cruelty is a huge debate in itself. And yes, sadly French people aren't conscious of what they eat and that it can be weird, it's sadly the case. If you take the center of the cheese, you deprive everyone else of a unique part, think about your meal buddies. If youve made it so far congrats for reading all of this Frenchie rant about what not to do :) have a great day !

Salut! I am not French, but I do have a lot in common with them in regard to their customs. I love your videos and I have learned a lot from you. Merci!

When I was just out of high school around 2000, me, being a super-ignorant dumbass American that didn't know any better, I was never told.... I accidentally hugged une Francaise.... thinking it would be the appropriate friendly gesture of 'au revoir' for the evening. Uhm.... obviously not. Super awkward, still just remembering. Never heard a word from her again, ever. Well, no wonder. I didn't realize why until I discovered that this is a cultural 'taboo' just a few years ago. Still feeling very embarrassed and absolutely special-needs/incompetent about it 20 something years later, and wishing I could reach out to apologize, but accepting the fact it's just best left alone for good.

Can you make a video of French movie recommendations ?

5:50 I love how saying "hello" and "goodbye" are things middle class Anglophones have to be told to do. Are Australians really this abrupt?

This was really quite accurate although I think you overdo how Parisians (who have seen it all) react to foreign faux-pas. In the outer regions of France, caution is strongly advised.

I found your video both enlightening and entertaining as were all the comments. I was brought up to be polight always and while traveling throughout the world, I found manners to be generally universal and appreciated. It is always a sign of assumed respect to take the time to learn something about who the "people " you are visiting are...just polight.

hi your video is really nice! I'm french born in France. It's true that hugs between woman and man make us uncomfortable, except maybe with BFF, but woman with woman and man with man is totally okay and not weird when they are good friend of course. Talking to stranger is okey only in some place like club, or event; because in a restaurant we are often their as couple on a date and we like to be totaly immersed; and there are often some people with bad manner that try to talk to woman, so there is many bad experiences about it. I totally agree with "Bonjour", like you said if you don't prononce it some peoples will surely be like "Bonjour déjà !!" (start by "bonjour"!) and will be pissed. I think it's okey to talk about money, it's often a subject that we talk about with friend, but if someone flex with his money without sharing we will get really pissed ! Maybe the flex bar is low in France I don't know(if you spend more than 200 dollars a week and talk about it with people that can't afford it, then it's flexing for me). For the blazer story it could be okey and even nice if it's just about where but if it's about price it's tricky... it could be good or not ...(I think there is an inferiority complex about money). I love quirky people, my BFF is the most quirky I have ever seen, and there is really many peoples with tattoos, punks, with many hair color, maybe less in a big city because when working in a big entreprise we can fail to be employed because of that. I have a friend with many tattoos that hide them when working. If you are with your friends you could totally eat with your hands, I personnaly don't care unless you stain my clothes; and, depend on the people with you, your cuteness could go down or up (yeah we have some strange people here too). Your phone on the table has never been rude for me, I think now everyone that I know have their phone on the table; but the exception is during a date ! It's still super rude and with your family too. The "Santé" I totally agree some peoples are exagerrating the eye contact (we don't want to be cursed with bad sex). It's so true for the "last thing" it's rude to not ask if someone else want it. If it just fizzy drink I think it's okey between meals, but yeah snack you will maybe have some comment about it or someone asking to share lol. It's true that after 18-20 years old we don't talk as much about dream and futur. I prefer people talking like you all over the place, when people tone it down I have difficulties to stay concentrate and to listen to them, it make me think they don't seems to want to talk about it so why do I need to care about it ? You know what I mean. But yeah unfortunetly many many french are like this. I love your energy so next time in France try to make some french people talk like you and never tone it down. Sound with the soupe is rude, but the "hummmhh" could be a bit strange if do it many time in less than 30 secondes, but if you do it just one time and say to the cook that this is really good, then it's really nice. But yeah hold your tongue about animal cruelty during dinner, the host will prepare food for all type of people (vegan, meat lover, vegetarian...) so take the food that you like and don't create conflict. And saying negative words about food is really rude. We will rather give it to the dog stealthily without saying a word. You can cut the end or the tip of the cheese when it's hard cheeses that are not circular; but yeah when it's a creamy one it's always in the center. For the goodbye you could totally shoot "bye everyone" while waving your hand it won't be rude. For the greeting it depend on the number of people, it's better to greet everyone and present yourself individualy but if there is more than 10 people it's totally okey to just shoot "Hi everyone" while waving your hand, you will present yourself later when people come at you or otherwise. I don't remember many faux-pas from friend, because with my friends we don't really think it's rude for someone that is not French to make some Faux-pas, they just need to know and we take time to explain to them without pressuring them.

I remember in France, my mother picked up some produce to inspect it and the vendor yelled at her for handling the produce. Then another time at a produce shop, my father started stating what he wanted and they told him to pick it out himself. Later a British woman told me to look for (rolls of?) bags next to produce. If no bags, ask for the produce and if there are bags, it is self service.

Video starts 2:50

Giggled when you said don’t be quirky because the Parisians on the east side are def quirky and wear black but yes they’re not loud with clothing

Hi !! I'm French (and American), and I wanted to let you know that pizza can be eaten with yours hands even if you're not in a fast food/pizzeria. Only persons we use to call "bobos" and rich people eat it with a fork and knife ^^ !

I have lived in Brittany now for more than 3 years. (Ex South African) I have to disagree re tatoos! I have never seen so many tatoo'ed men and women as in France! I also see lots of wild hair colouring in coloured strips and piercings!

Some of this good to know but ummm eating a taco with a fork and knife …. No just no …. I draw the line as a Latina lol

We definitely eat with our hands, and yes, no phone during meal time.

As a french I eat burger with a knife and fourchette 😀... all the rules at table are learned when we are very young by our mothers, also saying "bonjour" "merci" "au revoir"...

You absolutely CAN eat fast food with your hands in France, no one will judge you. Or maybe they do only in Paris but it's another country basically

Good Monday Morning from New Zealand, Great Not even French Video, Thanks for sharing, have a great week

9:40 Even in restaurant, their are some food you can eat with your hand, like nacho and pizza, it's not that wierd.. Even fries, (unless you are in a very chic restaurant), you can eat with your hands, it's not that wierd.

I came for the French culture advice. I stayed for the beautiful monstera in the background.

10:17 FUN FACT we in France think that it is a British etiquette. Actually, people in France don't care very much about this one (except at important dinners and stuff) but we're used to say "ne mets pas tes coudes sur la table ou la Reine d'Angleterre ne sera pas contente !" to children...

Hi there ! About money: We don't talk about money in my country as we avoid talking about politics or religion. If you want to thank someone for a favor, giving a coin would be considered an insult. Instead, give a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, or some fruit from your garden. In fact, there is one exception: If you receive a knife as a gift, you must give a coin in exchange, so that the knife cannot cut the friendship. If you buy something for a friend, don't demand to be repaid with money. He could pay you with a bottle of wine, an aperitif, or even invite you to a restaurant! Off topic: Girls, please forget the exhibitionist "side-boobs" and "underboobs", inappropriate almost everywhere (even at home, we usually say "It's overflowing!"). The makeup is also light. Wearing a "paint mask" or a "sculture" keeps people away. Please do not look fake ! All French women wear a French manicure... on their wedding day .... (Be careful, don't look superficial) Many French people can understand common English, and would be happy to help you, if only you use the "magic words" (Bonjour / S'il vous plaît / Merci / Au revoir).

Many years ago my wife and I had a French student staying with us for a month during the summer. My wife was working an evening shift so I ordered delivery pizza. When it arrived, my young son, the French student, and I sat down at the table, and my son and I eagerly reached into the pizza box. Each of us grabbed a big slice of pizza. It was still warm so the cheese was drooping off the edges of the pizza slices as we started eating them. The French student promptly got up from the table, went into the bathroom and vomited. I was concerned, of course, and offered to make him some other food. I thought maybe he just didn't react well to pizza. It didn't occur to me at the time that it was the way we were eating it that made him sick. In fairness, I suppose even some Americans would have been disgusted with the way my son and I went after pizza. Another French student told me that when McDonald's first started in France, they had a TV ad in which a grandfather is taking his grandson to McDonald's. The son unwraps his burger and starts to eat with his hands, but the grandfather unwraps his and looks bewildered: he has no idea how to eat it without a knife and fork.

So...if I didn't like a dish or something in the restaurant, I should not say that? If it is, e.g., very salty for me or very spicy, or hard meat that I don't accept. How I should do? To pay and leave not happy?

good god, don't hold your emotions please )) it's refreshing ! french people really need to learn to let go XD (just so u know, i'm french)

When my mom was young, if she put her elbows on the table, my grandparents would use the metal handle of the knife to hit her elbows. We most definitely hate mouth noises so don’t ever eat with your mouth opened because we will cringe so hard inside and if we’re not close enough to tell you, we will be irritated. If someone is a bit snappy at you during a meal in France for no apparent reason, you may be eating too loudly haha. And if you burp while we’re at the table and i knock your teeth off don’t be surprised. Also if you’re setting up the table, the fork goes on the left of the plate, with the spikes facing down (facing up in the English way) (same with the spoons) and the knife goes on the right, blade facing the plate. A big spoon would go to the right of the knife. If it’s a big full course meal with 3 or more of each pieces of cutlery, the biggest ones go near the plate, and then the smaller ones outward. The biggest plate below ans the smaller one on top, if there’s a napkin you can put it prettily in the plate, or fold it in rectangle and place it below the knife. If there are several glasses, the water glass goes in the middle, and then the wine and champagne outward, on the right. It’s not rude if you don’t set the table properly, but it may bother a lot of french people who do pay attention to it, and it may seem unsophisticated. Fill others glasses and plates before yours, if you and your partner/roomie (for example) have guests over, serve your guests (adults first), then the other host, and yourself last. Sit at the table once all of your guests are seated. I could go on and on, meals in France are basically like exams, you CAN’T fail. Your politeness, your conversation, your courtesy, your ability to host, EVERYTHING will be evaluated during a meal. Elbows on the table -50pts, serving yourself before the guests -100pts, pulling out your phone to check notifs or scroll social medias -100pts ahaha, be on your best behavior because people will judge you based on how you behave at the table. Another one i think is extremely important and i think i would want to run away if someone ever did that in my presence : DO NOT CALL THE WAITER!!! Do not call them, do NOT!! snap your fingers!!! Just look at them until they notice you staring, they will come check on you, and if it doesn’t work, you can raise your hand but not above head level. No words are needed, it’s rude here, it may bother people around, bring the attention to you etc. I always try to grab their attention by staring at them. When it comes to fashion, there are punks etc. But french people only acknowledge two categories : normal, and extravagant. « Normal » people will dress pretty casual or chic, but simple overall. Extravagant people are all the others. Dyed hair? colorful makeup? colorful clothes? chunky shoes or original clothing? Extravagant. So if you’re like me and you like experimenting, be prepared to get looks. Some Karens may say something, but you’ll mostly get stared at. It’s not always negative, but it does make you feel like there’s mud on your face or something. But please DO wear whatever you like, it’s time French people stop being so uptight. Although French people do wear shoes inside, when you go to someone’s house, ask them if you should take off your shoes. They may tell you that no it’s fine, but they’ll appreciate it. Especially if they want you to take them off because they may be too polite to ask so they’ll be very happy you asked first. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but when i go to someone’s house for the first time (or first few times), i don’t sit anywhere, i hold onto my coat and bag and whatever until the host tells me where i can put it, and to sit wherever. If someone comes to my house and sits on my couch or my chair without being invited to do it, i’ll be pissed. I don’t mind if they sit of course, but at least ask first, this is not your house hahaha. Also, don’t trust Emily in Paris, French people tend to think foreigners are rude, and especially Americans. In the show, everyone seems to love Emily the american girl who’s all bubbly and joyful and everyone and their grandma is in love with her but french people are more like her colleagues who will be annoyed until you until you can prove you can adapt to french rules and politeness standards (french people are very uptight and self-centered, something may not be rude in your culture, but if it is in France, they won’t care about your culture, they think that if you’re in France, you must act French, and speak french. So good luck 😭 (but i promise you, if you’re polite enough to french standards, you’ll have a great time here, we do be like coconuts, but once we open up, we’re very fun to be around!)

Have a good hell would you eat nachos with a knife and fork! Also, I lived in France and I don’t think anybody eats nachos!!!

As for me I prefer eating pizza with hands because it is accepted by italians and it's them who created pizza)) so I hope the french will forgive me this))

And the one she forgot; You should not fart or poop in France🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Just kidding guys!

An advice for american people don't speaker so loudler. It's unbearable when we are in the same place, in a bar , in a restaurant. You are not alone in the world. Discretion is chic!

Start by pronouncing English words properly. Pronunciation is not pronounciation.

I am french and sorry but I don't know where you live in France because we love hug friend or family in public, same we talk about everything still if we don't know people really closely we can sometime talk about very strong intimity think, and same I think you stay in Paris because you can see a lot people with crazy look hair color a lot tattoo everywhere, same for the look only in Paris , there is a lot girl with fake eyelashes it's very famous in france fake nails very famous also. You don't eat your pizza with fork we eat with our hand most of your advice is very wrong you give a wrong advice for people outside of france. You need to travel outside of Paris because France is not just Paris is a lot of other area.

I was excited about my upcoming trip to Paris this summer, until I watched this video. Now I'm full of anxiety and am considering canceling the trip. I understand that there are rules and social norms in every country, but this list is very overwhelming to me.

"The kids' education set me back 90 graand" something you will never hear in France because it is simply so unusual for education to be this expensive...

Reading the comments I come to the conclusion that many French don’t behave like French.

so funny! when i moved to new jersey in the usa from montreal canada, people were shocked that i ate pizza with a knife and fork. so now i pick up a slice and fold it lengthwise like an american.

Also something that is not talked about there but can seem rude depending on the situation (I've seen in another video about French "culture" but maybe it is not like this in all english speaking countries): When you're invited to someone's they normally as you what you want to drink/eat, they will get you this themselves. If you're close to the person they can tell you to go get them yourself as in "make yourself home" but if you dont really know the person they will serve you 😊 For the greetings part, I have to admit I'm a bit surprised about saying bonjour (s'il vous plait) merci et au revoir when you go to a shop or bakery or to the driver when hopping on a bus, taxi.. For me it seems totally normal to do this well I mean I feel really bad if I dont say it so.. Not meaning it in a rude way but I thought it was done too in all English speaking countries 😊

Thank you for mentioning the atrocities of Foie gras production. It is nice to know that French people abhor this.

Why kind of people where you living with lol. It's seems so bourgeois

I love almost everything of what I hear about French life.