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Do you bag your own groceries in France?

Tip 6 – There is nobody to pack your groceries for you Although this is normal for us Brits, in Australia and the US the checkout person would normally pack your groceries for you, but that's not the case here in France. So get your shopping bags ready because it's time to pack your own shopping.



Yes, bagging your own groceries is the standard cultural expectation in France in 2026. Unlike in the U.S., where a dedicated clerk often bags items, French cashiers primarily focus on scanning products at high speed. As the items slide down the short packing area, you are expected to bag them immediately to keep the line moving. It is also important to note that most French supermarkets, such as Carrefour or Monoprix, do not provide free plastic bags; you must bring your own reusable "sac cabas" or purchase a heavy-duty one at the register. Furthermore, at many "hypermarchés," you are required to weigh your own produce and print a price sticker at a station in the fruits and vegetables section before heading to the checkout. Forgetting to do this is a common faux pas that can result in a "gallic shrug" from the cashier and a delay for the entire line, so always observe if the produce section has scales before you reach the front.

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It will print a sticker with the barcode and price of the produce on it. Bring your own bags. Grocery bags in Italian shops usually cost 5-10 cents apiece. Pack your groceries yourself.

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In the busier and more touristy areas like around the Colosseum in Rome or the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you might want to consider anti-theft bags and accessories. Also, if you're planning on spending a lot of time in train and bus stations, this can be where a lot of theft happens, especially for tourists.

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Whenever you enter a restaurant, store or café, always say bonjour when you enter. It's really an important ritual in French life. You'll often hear Parisians say something like Bonjour, monsieur-dame, to cover all possibilities of whether there's a man or women working in the store. Say au revoir when you leave.

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A few pieces of tissue… that can double as toilet paper You don't really need to bring this from home, of course — Italy does have toilet paper! — but it's a smart thing for ladies, particularly, to throw in their purses before leaving the hotel in the morning.

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