15 Things Tourists Should Never Do in France
- Never Underestimate How Far a Few French Words Can Go.
- Never Wave Wildly at a Waiter to Get Their Attention.
- Try Not to Speak Louder Than Everyone Else, Particularly at Night.
- Never Leave Your Cell Phone Out When Having a Coffee/Meal With Friends.
In this post
Do and don’ts in France?
Table Manners
- DON’T eat with your fingers!
- DON’T eat on the street.
- DON’T start eating immediately after being served.
- DON’T take a bite from a whole piece of bread.
- DO expect a glass of wine with dinner.
- DON’T put your arms on your lap during dinner.
What should you not talk about in France?
- Hello. You may have heard of this French taboo before, but it is such a big deal, I had to point it out again.
- English. Even if your French is terrible, it is important to at least pretend that you are making an effort.
- Job.
- Personal life.
- Tu vs Vous.
- Religion.
- Race.
- Money.
What should I avoid in Paris?
11 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Paris
- Never buy tickets for attractions and shows on the day of the event.
- Never take the stairs at Paris’ Abbesses Métro Station.
- Never take pictures in Paris’ famous Shakespeare And Company bookstore.
- Never board Parisian transport without a valid ticket.
What should I be careful of in France?
15 Things Tourists Should Never Do in France
- Never Underestimate How Far a Few French Words Can Go.
- Never Wave Wildly at a Waiter to Get Their Attention.
- Try Not to Speak Louder Than Everyone Else, Particularly at Night.
- Never Leave Your Cell Phone Out When Having a Coffee/Meal With Friends.
How do you offend in French?
10 ways to offend the French and how to avoid it
- Not saying hello when you enter a shop.
- Refusing food or drink in someone’s home.
- Offend the French by making no effort to speak their language.
- Asking how much someone earns.
- Not making the kissing sound when you do the bise.
- Not returning invitations.
What is considered rude in Paris?
It is rude to sit with one’s legs spread apart unless in a relaxed context. Rather, sit straight with your legs crossed at the knee or knees together. Feet should not be placed on tables or chairs. If someone is invited to a restaurant or a business function, it is acceptable to arrive at the specific time.
How safe is Paris at night?
You are wondering if Paris is really dangerous at night or not? The city of Paris is no more dangerous than any other touristic city. But of course, you have to be on your guard in the street and on public transport, especially at night, in the same way as in all big cities. Attacks exist but they are extremely rare.
Can you drink tap water in France?
Although many French people prefer bottled water, in most places in France, tap water is perfectly okay to drink. Some locales, like Paris, even pride themselves on the quality of their tap water. But there are a few regions or cities where, sadly, the water has been contaminated due to issues like pesticide runoff.
Is France safe at night?
Is Paris safe? While traveling around Paris and visiting the parks during daytime, travelers will feel very safe. Nighttime, however, is a different story. The beautiful manicured gardens of the Bois de Boulogne, and the Bois de Vincennes, can be more dangerous when the sun sets.
Is it rude to be early in France?
In fact, in France, arriving on time to a dinner party is considered rude. The proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes late to the party. If you arrive on time or early for a dinner party in France, the host will likely still be in the middle of preparing for the party.
Is France a violent country?
France is generally a low-crime area, and the inner city areas and few selected suburbs are completely safe at all hours, but the problem persists in larger cities, especially Paris: there, the murder rate is about the double of the surrounding countries, and larger cities are literally filled with pickpockets and
What should you never say to a French person?
We’ve both put our pieds in our mouths at a few dinner parties, so take it from us and avoid these topics:
- “You’re French?
- “Your accent is sooooo cute!”
- “Ew, you eat that?”
- “So, what do you do for a living?”
- “I love your home/car/bag, it’s so nice.
- “Everyone knows French people don’t like to work.”
How do you annoy French?
How to annoy French people
- Mistake France for Paris.
- Think they’re all geography experts.
- Expect them to understand your French accent.
- Keep reminding them about their French accent.
- Leave the stereotypes alone.
What is a curse word in French?
Putain is your all purpose French swear word. You know how some English speakers love to use the F-word? They will use it to express emotions ranging from happiness to pain to anger and anything in between. Well, putain is its French swear word equivalent.
Is it rude to tip in France?
Tipping is not required in France (although there are a few exceptions). You don’t need to tip French waitstaff because they get a living wage and benefits. It is NOT considered rude to tip in France. There is no standard percentage for tips in France.
What is considered taboo in France?
Avoid asking personal questions relating to one’s age, sexual orientation, family or children unless you have a well-established friendship. The French highly value their privacy and the privacy of others. Inquiring about one’s salary and finances is taboo.
Is it rude to not finish food in France?
French etiquette indicates that you should finish your plate, or the host will be offended (thinking that the meal was bad). What is this? There is a potential conflict here, as in some cultures if you finish your plate it means you didn’t get enough!
Can I wear jeans in Paris?
You can wear jeans, if they are discreet, dark and well cut, but not in the evening, and not with a tee shirt and sneakers – you would look too casual. If you’re planning to enjoy a night out on the town, this is a good rule to remember.
Can you wear shorts in Paris?
France is a free country, you can wear shorts in Paris anytime and anywhere, except perhaps in high-end restaurants with dress codes, or possibly religious institutions that prohibit bare legs (or shoulders). Now, just because you can wear shorts, does it mean you’re stylish? Does it mean you’ll fit in with the locals?
Can I speak English in Paris?
Is it a Myth that the French Don’t Speak English? According to data, only 20% of French people are fluent in English and only 40% are able to have a basic conversation. So, it’s not a complete myth that French people aren’t all that good at English.