Culture tips and shocks

As with any significant period of change, leaving the US and starting a new life abroad can feel like an ever-shifting ‘two-steps-forward-one-step-back’ process. 

Rest assured that though challenging at times, this is where truly valuable gems of knowledge arise - especially when it comes to differences in culture that simply can’t be anticipated without having an understanding of what it’s like to live in France. 

In the absence of lived experience (or indeed in preparation for your own), here are some notable points to take on board and help absorb potential shocks before making the move.

The basics

• ‘Bonjour’ - of all the words in the French language, let this be the one you use as a reflex in any setting where you come face-to-face with another person (follow it up with ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Madame’ if you’re confident). Whether greeting a neighbor, entering a store or shopping at the market, failure to do so is seen as a sign of an extremely rude person, and you will be treated as such.

• Smiling excessively / enthusiastically - where in the US this is commonplace, in France it can be interpreted as being insincere.

• Faire la bise - French people who know each other kiss each other on the cheek several times to say hello - this can include business acquaintances. If in doubt, follow the lead of the French person - never hug or touch as being tactile is not the done thing and will likely not be well received. 

• Volume of speech - as a broad rule, French people are more moderate in their conversations when in public - be aware of this and follow suit.

The rhythm of life

• Working hours - France works a 37.5 hour week for salaried employees who make up the large part of the workforce, with a typical vacation allocation of 6-8 weeks. In addition to this, summer is considered a national break, followed by September as ‘la rentrée’ (literally ‘the return’) when children return to school and adults to the workplace. 

• Opening hours - are sacrosanct and observed, in addition to which they can often be reduced in vacation season and/or when owners want to take a break or a public holiday. Handwritten signs on the door are not uncommon, do not rely on the internet. 

• Public holidays - known as ‘jours fériés’, there are 11 of these in a calendar year - whether they are additional to vacation allowance is at the discretion of an employer, though it is common practice. Of the 11, eight are fixed dates and three are movable - if a public holiday falls on a Thursday, often employees take the Friday off work to ‘faire le pont’ (‘make the bridge’) to create a four-day weekend.

Customs and habits

• Waiting in line - it might not look like it but the French do have a system - however, it is very different to the ‘one-behind-the-other’ line familiar to most Americans. At times this will seem unfathomable, but trust that it will become clear in time - the most effective way of learning is to observe and copy (and anticipate that you will get it wrong a fair few times before you get it right).

• Tipping - this is not mandatory, as service is factored into the cost of dishes / drinks / etc. It is also included in staff wages. If you want to show appreciation, a few euros or rounding up the bill is usually sufficient, and cash is preferred. 

Food and drink 

• Mealtimes are treated as an experience - they are an opportunity to appreciate good food and company, and are treated as such. Taking time to sit down to eat and drink is the norm - walking down the street consuming food / drink is rare.

• Lunch - is pretty much spread across 12-2pm, when the break (‘pause’ in French) is observed as a chance to stop and reset by replenishing with food and discussion.

• Dinner - is commonly after 8pm.

• Alcohol - for adults, not having a glass of wine with your meal is unusual.

• Cheese (and the cutting of) - this comes after the main course, and before dessert. Great care is taken when cutting cheese - the process will look different dependent on the shape of the cheese, as the idea is to cut in such a way that every person at the table can enjoy the cross-section of flavor spanning the center to the rind.

• Apéritif - also referred to as ‘apéro’ or ‘l’heure de l’apéro’, this is a time before dinner to sit down with friends and an (alcoholic) drink with nibbles before commencing the meal.

• An invitation to apéritif in someone’s home - if invited, know that the invitation is often for a set time (ie. 6-7:30pm), after which guests will be expected to leave so everyone can enjoy their evening meal at home. Do not be early or on time (as a broad rule for social gatherings, this is considered rude) - gifts are not expected, though if you choose to take something make sure it’s not food or drink (thought to be insulting as suggestive of the host’s inability to provide). Flowers are suitable, though not chrysanthemums as in France these are associated with death. 

Shopping 

• Food shopping - the French tend to shop more frequently and buy less. The focus is on quality and freshness - they tend to shop for specific meals, so large fridge-freezers or kitchen storage areas are rare. Markets are commonplace and much-used, as are small local stores (such as the boulangerie, pâtisserie, boucherie, chocolatier, etc). Supermarkets (supermarchés / hypermarchés) tend to be large-scale and out-of-town, are often used to stock up on heavy / domestic items ie multipacks of mineral water, toilet paper, etc

• Pharmacies - denoted by a large green (often neon light) cross outside on the wall, these are the only places where you will be able to receive prescription drugs and buy over-the-counter medication. This includes non-prescription drugs such as paracetamol, which are not available to buy in supermarkets/stores as they are in the US. They do not sell magazines and snacks as drugstores in the US do, however they are renowned as points of sale for mid- to high-end skincare and beauty items. Pharmacists in France are also trained to assess the toxicity of mushrooms for anyone who has been mushroom picking and wants assurance.

• No sales tax in France - this applies in shops and restaurants - what you see on the ticket is what you pay

• Sales take place twice a year - periods of reduction are regulated, which means that stores can’t reduce goods independently. Sales in French are ‘Soldes’

And some others…

• The 24-hour clock - is used more often than not, with an ‘h’ between the hours and minutes (ie. 4:45pm is 16h45)

• Punctuation to show decimal points - in the US a full stop is used, while in France they use commas, ie. (US) 3.14159 = (France) 3,14159

• Punctuation to show separation of thousands - in the US commas are used, while in France they use full stops, ie. (US) 10,000,000 = (France) 10.000.000

• Air conditioning - this is rare - if you do come across it, it’s likely that it will be temperate and not cold

• Paper checkbooks - are still quite common

• Dog mess - can often be seen left unattended

• Public restrooms - you have to pay to use these

• Smoking - is commonplace and cross-generational. You will see people smoking outside and on cafe and restaurant terraces.

• Socializing - don’t be surprised to hear discussion and strong sharing of opinions on subjects that in the US can often be considered taboo (ie sex, religion, politics)

• Homes and living spaces - are a lot smaller

• Kitchens - washers and dryers are in the kitchen due to space

• Bathrooms - the toilets are often a separate space alongside