I do not speak french faux pas1/16/2024 This extends to first names – unless you know someone very well, you should always address them as Monsieur or Madame, and leave first names out of it. This can be difficult when you’re trying to make French friends, but it is considered odd in France to be overly friendly with someone you don’t really know.Īnother one on Oui in Paris’ list of French faux pas, she explains that asking a pharmacist about his summer vacation isn’t really normal. Being too polite won’t be nearly as embarrassing as mortally offending someone. Choosing whether to call someone tu or vous is tricky, and choosing incorrectly is a huge French faux pas. It is one of the most difficult parts of learning French, and if you get it wrong, you can cause offence, confusion and even total horror. As Oui in France explains, the French consider the hug to be incredibly intimate, and almost exclusively reserved for a lover.Īttempting to hug a French friend will only give rise to panicked looks, and uneasy shuffling away, so it is best to stick with a quick bisous. We know not to forget our table manners, and that insulting France isn’t going to win us any French friends (obviously), but it is inevitable that we will occasionally, inadvertently, make a faux pas.Īnd if not ourselves, we’ve all seen someone else do it! Here are the worst of the worst… Going in for a hug instead of a bisousĪs Anglophones, it is natural for us to hug, but for the French, there is nothing worse. We’re fairly confident that by now we can conduct ourselves in France without embarrassing ourselves – at least too much. Vie Française Immerse yourself in insider stories & interviews – pick up valuable tips & advice on mastering the French language and living the French dream wherever you live….Reportage + Société Stay informed & try to understand what’s happening in France – News, sport, politics, even the gossip behind it all – Explore problems & paradoxes of today’s cultural & social issues….Mode + Beauté Indulge, obsess, celebrate & enjoy stories, interviews, tips & advice about the extraordinary world of French fashion, beauty, interiors and much, much more….Gastronomie Indulge in wonderful French food & wine in person or vicariously – where to find the foodie haunts – share recipes – tips & advice….Escapades Discover little known places in France – Learn from insider experiences, tips & advice – Plan your trip, where to go, stay, what to see & even what to pack – Be a traveller not a tourist….Arts + Culture Enrich your life through stories, interviews, info & tips about the world of French art, theatre, music, film, architecture, design, photography etc – stay informed – what’s on where and when….The French have their own set of rules governing social interaction in conversation, and if you move here and don’t know them, you may find your efforts to speak French are met with bemusement or even hostility. After all, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of any of these French insults or curse words. The reason might just be that that rather angry response is due to a cultural taboo being broken. Whilst they might seem like insignificant nuances to you, these particular taboos can be taken very seriously with a capacity to offend, and could affect your interaction going forward.Īnd I should mention, that there is a reason that French people, and in particular Parisians, have a reputation for being rude. Some of them may seem obvious, but there are a multitude of cultural differences that exist from one country to another. The French word faux pas, which literally translates to “false step”, is something to keep in mind if you are trying to make conversation in France. Whether you are a tourist or a native, there are some things that one must absolutely avoid while in France. All information provided is for entertainment purposes only, see our disclosure policy.) (As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn commissions on purchases.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |