![]() The French don’t mind if you keep your elbows on the table, for them, this is polite. Keep those elbows on the tableīelieve it or not, dining with your hands hidden is bad form. Dining out Don’t sit for a drinkĪt a bar, sure, but if you’re in a restaurant and stopping for a glass of wine, navigate away from the tablecloth-covered tables which are meant for customers sitting down for a meal only. People shake hands in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower. ![]() Stick with dispensing just two kisses (it can go up to four in the north of France), start with the right cheek, aim to brush it with a kiss sound, and whatever you do, don’t ever end with a hug. There’s no avoiding the air kiss and mastering it will impress the locals. If all else fails, just know tu is reserved for close friends and loved ones. Know your vous and tuĪs if the language isn’t confusing enough, the French have formal ( vous) and informal ( tu) ways to say ‘you.’ Listen out for the words as a way to decipher if someone is referring to you (or anyone else) in a formal or informal manner. While exceptions are made for close friends and loved ones, on your trip, it’s best to introduce yourself, at least initially, with a firm handshake. ![]() If you’re not a fan of air kisses, you’ll be happy to know the French greet each other, personally and professionally, with a firm handshake. It’s a small thing but if you want to experience good service in France, it pays to remember how to say hello - use bonjour or bonsoir (after 6 pm) - and merci (thank you) whenever you enter or exit a store. Greetings and the Art of the Bisous Don’t be a mute They’re notorious for observing a certain level of etiquette – they invented the word after all – so whether you’re a new visitor to La République or a tried and tested Francophile, here are the subtle social norms and practices you need to know. From greeting waiters to tipping and how to give the perfect bisous, this is all you need to know before you embark on your French holiday
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