How to behave in France as an American?

14 Rules You Should Follow in France so the Locals Don't Hate You
  1. Don't take “non!” for an answer. ...
  2. Don't freak out if someone cuts you in line. ...
  3. Don't expect speedy service. ...
  4. A formal, polite greeting goes a long way. ...
  5. Just don't quote “Lady Marmalade” ...
  6. If you're speaking English, take it slow.




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Manners, politeness & greetings The 'bonjour' is usually followed by a handshake in a formal context or 'les bises' or kiss one on each side of the cheeks. The kisses on the cheeks demonstrate affection, friendship or respect. These customs have evolved with the global pandemic and may change over time.

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French made it to our ranking of the 15 easiest languages to learn for English speakers! Besides its many available resources and language communities, French is a phonetic language. Once you understand French phonetic rules, reading and pronouncing words correctly becomes more predictable.

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