What not to do in France : french etiquette and manners
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- DO NOT do these things in France if you want to act like a french person and not a tourist. France, like any other countries, have unwritten rules of how to behave and today I share with you some of those important french manners and etiquettes.
I hope you guys enjoy the video. Let me know if there are other ideas of what not to do in France as tourist because I might realize some of them since I am native to the country. Also keep in mind that some of these french manners can be different in different parts of France.
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Name: Manon
Nationality: French
PS: I lived 5 years in the United States
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This channel is all about travelling and learning about new cultures. I compare the United States and France a lot as I lived in both countries!
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"Don't cut your cheese weird."
French etiquette all the way. 😂
Don't mess with the cheese !! haha
@@manonbtravels6343 ha ha, most Americans eat cheddar cheese and occasionally Swiss cheese. It comes in plastic wrap and sliced from the grocery store.
I am American, and I visited Paris in 2018, and I absolutely loved it!! I somehow came across this video during my time there, and I loved every single part of the city. The view of the city from the Eiffel tower, especially during night was phenomenal! I loved your macaroons and croissants too, can't wait to come back!!
I was lucky enough to travel to France last year. I can say every French person i encountered was nice. I didn't speak French, but they tried to speak Eglish
I think its important to learn some useful phrases in another language when going abroad. Its good to respect the other persons culture and realize you are in their home and should try and use their language the most you can.
Dactylonomy is the act of counting on fingers. Typical European counting starts with the thumb, in America it starts with the index finger. It is different in Asia too.
This is a very good video as it gives the French perspective when French people meet Americans. As an American, you helped me understand important customs.French people have. Planning a trip to Paris soon and love your videos
Thank you very much !! I'mm so glad you said it helped, that the goals with my videos, help you understand french culture a bit more !
Please do a video of the pros and cons of America compared to France. For example, things that Americans can learn from France and vice versa. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.
Yeah I will do one !!
Bonjour Manon, comment allez-vous? Love all the advice in your videos. My wife, who is American, grew up in France from an early age through university. Also has given me advise when traveling in France that has always served me well. Unfortunately I do not speak French. So she said to use a little French even if it's just hello, thank you, or good bye. It works every time! Quickly people realize I'm an American and I'm at least trying to speak some French. The response is typically in English to my question. After the brief exchange I will say merci, au revoir. They usually will return with a smile and good bye in English.
Amazing how a little respect and courtesy will go a long way. Prenez soin de vous
Bonjour Joe ! Oh it does go a long way for sure !! It's always nice to hear people try to speak your language. Well she gave you great advices because that's the way to go for sure ! :) Vous aussi !
It's most common all across the US to hold up the three middle fingers to indicate 3. For other numbers, it's usually index finger for 1, index and middle for two, and index, middle, ring, and pinkie for 4. The thumb is only added for 5.
Thank you for your charming videos. You are the best French ambassador since Lafayette.
Congratulations on you internship!!! That's great to hear, and I wish you success! Thank you for taking the time to make, and share, your videos! This was super interesting, especially about eating with your hands. Definitely good information to know! Elbows on the table is something that seems rude, no matter where a person lives, but that's just me. It's also really embarrassing to think that so many tourists assume that everyone speaks English! As you said, you live in FRANCE, where the main language is FRENCH! If someone is inconsiderate enough to not even attempt to speak anything in the language of the country they're visiting, then they deserve whatever poor treatment they get! I also appreciate how you point out that your topics are generalized, and that there are always exceptions in any circumstance. Merci beaucoup, and keep up the good work!
Thank you !! So excited I got it. Glad you enjoyed ! It makes me happy that mu videos are being watched and liked. I love being able to share some of my experience to other especially about cultures because I love learning about this topic myself. I don't agree I don't think they deserve being treated bad in return, i think we should always try to be better than the other, so we could just tell that person that it was a bit rude but not be rude in return :) But for sure people need to understand that not everyone speak their language even english and that you need to adpat a bit by speaking a few words of that language. Yes I think it is important to point it out because everyone is different and even though France is not a big country, not everyone act the same way depending on who you are as a person but also what part of France you live in.
Some of this it true for the southern US too. and congratulations on your internship
Cool which ones ? Thank you !!
In a public restaurant don’t put your elbows on the table. We don’t us TU or VOUS but you should say sir or mam if you’re taking to someone like your boss or an elder
Boujour Madame Manon, comment-allez-vous? The Southern U.S. is a lot like France. You don't put your elbows on the table. We have to use "Mr." or "Mrs." to address someone unless we have permission to use their first name, even if the person is younger than us. And we use "sir" or "ma'am" whether we use their first name or not. Also, unless you're eating something like fried chicken or BBQ ribs, you always use a knife and fork to eat. Even if you're eating fried chicken at some locales (i.e., church potlucks), you should eat it with a knife and fork.
I love your videos Manon. I enjoyed your segment on why not to be too friendly. There are two sides to the story. The reason why us Americans may come off as too friendly is because we assume that the friendliness is showing respect/gratitude/appreciation to the other nation. Some friendly small talk is also an American's way to warm you up, and break the ice; to cut through that barrier that makes us strangers and into more familiar territory. Naturally you being French you will most likely see a lot of this behavior from us in the United States. Primarily because we would perceive you as unique, interesting, pretty, or special. For instance, say you see a piece of art that you like the most. You will desire to observe it more closely. It's kind of like that.
There's also a logic in why the French don't like that attitude. Some people may want to "cut to the chase" or stop the presentation of things seen as useless. The "too friendly" approach can go really bad if the French person is preoccupied or at peace and it gets broken by someone suddenly presenting themselves out of the blue. The French might see that as an intrusion into their personal harmony or task they were doing.
There's usually more to language barriers between nation to nation. There's also at times a personality barrier each nation has too.
I thought you might like this clip by the way from the American film "We Were Soldiers". It shows a good example of someone sick of small talk:
ruclips.net/video/iwATvALiQ_8/видео.html
Thats an excellent explanation
I’m a Dane, and we too live in our own bubble/shells… but then I moved to the States in 4 years and once I returned, I didn’t really care, if I feel like talking to strangers I do. And it turns out, most Danes actually wants to talk, but it usually come across awkward. However, if you’re natural about it, people usually want to engage because we are social creatures after all, and spreading good vibes is usually always welcomed. You just need to know how to time the initiative right.
We always crack up when we see Europeans eating their burger with a knife and fork😅
Haha at least we don't put sauce all over ! but yeah it's a lot less practical haha
I've never seen anyone do that. Pizza, yes.
@@gomey70 in Ireland! 😅
Im dying laughing about the fucking cheese rule 😂😂 i love the french so much. Gets mad about cheese cutting and constantly trying to fight their government 😂❤️
😂😂😂
I've been to France twice, I notice how they drink coffee with bowls, rather than with handled cups.
Yes in the morning when we drink « café au lait » we drink it in a bowl ! However we drink real black coffee or cappuccino and all in an actual coffee cup
@@manonbtravels6343 Cafe au lait is good! I took 7 years of French in school (although I can't hardly speak any of it now 😞), and my French teacher was from Paris, so we learned a lot of REAL French culture and not just an American teacher that spoke fluent French. She introduced us to cafe au lait, real French marmalade, French cooking, culture, etiquette, etc... Pretty cool stuff. Never been to France, but I do love old architecture, so I have always wanted to go to see the the Arc De Triomphe, and the old cathedrals and gargoyles, etc...
Thanks for helping us have good table manners in France. 🇫🇷
you're so welcome !
Here in Illinois I was always taught no elbows on the table. I also had to try three your way. Love your vids! Stay well.
So I guess elbows are a commun thing ! haha so which one is better ? I feel like the way we do it is easier idk haha
@@manonbtravels6343 Really? I tried to do the 3 the American way (I'm French) and to my surprise I found it very difficult. I almost have to hold my fingers to make them have the shape of the American 3. I'm young and I don't have stiff fingers (or at least this is what I thought). I found the French 3 much easier.
Merci Manon. I think we Americans have the biggest sense of personal space of any country. So for Americans Europeans seem too close physically. So then la bise is very strange to many of us. And now American girls are being trained to put even more physical distance between themselves and others. But I live in Tbilisi Georgia these days. The French sense of personal space now seems generously wide by contrast. Curious eh?
Great video Manon!
Thank you !
Imagine if Americans told this girl to not behave so "French" in her behavior while in the United States. I think visitors in France should behave respectfully but naturally.
'Sir' and 'Ma'am' are the only formal pronouns that come to mind in english. It's true that a lot of people don't use them anymore. They're more likely to be used when speaking to the elderly or the general public, or in situations where a person of authority, like an employer, has earned the respect of thier employees.
At least where I live. I've heard other parts of the states can be different.
At school, in France (secondary schools and universities) we call our teachers "monsieur" (sir) or "madame". Same thing if we speak to a stranger in the street.
I cut the cheese but I blamed it on the dog.
Merci, thank you, it is good to understand the formalities of French culture.
Hey Manon, congratulations on your internship! You definitely earned it. Your channel has really developed with each new video you publish. You're a natural at talking to the camera and your topics are always informative and engaging.
Thank you I really appreciate it (for both things you said) ! I'm really glad some people enjoy the content I put out
What do you call cutting it like that: Pie slice. I eat fries with a fork all the time and most people think I am crazy lol. ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE- wouldn't believe how many times my Mom yelled that at me :).
Of course I enjoyed your video as I always do. Very nice to see you again Manon.
Yeah slice ! haha I need to speak English more often haha. My grandparentds were the one yelling that at me !! Well you're not weird many people do it like that too here (can keep your hands clean) ! Thank you very much :)
Hi Manon, thanks for a lovely, funny and informative video! I really grinned at the cheese cutting and eating pizza with your knife and fork bits :-) Where I come from, South Africa, we love eating 'beskuit' (rusks) that we like to dip and soak, with our hands of course, in our very strong, sweet coffee. In my Afrikaner culture almost everyone will embrace you with a hug and a sloppy kiss (on your mouth!), and all older people are called the equivalent of 'aunt' or 'uncle'. Very informal but also respectful at the same time. That is changing slowly with the newer generations. Also, you would be encouraged to stay for tea, cookies, and a braai...
For any Afrikaner, especially amongst the older generation, having a 'pocket knife' or 'flip knife' is very traditional. It looks a bit like your picnic knife. One carries it everywhere and it's used to cut 'biltong' (salted, air-cured meat) or open bottles and cans, no matter where one is. Very handy.
How do you eat shellfish such as crab, lobster, shrimp, or even clams, mussels and oysters without using your hands in some way? Are all shellfish completely prepared fin such a way as you can always use utensils?
3.5 minutes on cheese etiquette? I don't think I've ever cut cheese in my life or even spent 2 seconds thinking about cheese. France is a very different place
Americans most often keep their left hand in their lap or resting on the table edge except when using their knife and fork to cut something on their plate. Then they switch their fork from their left hand to their right hand and proceed to stab the piece they just cut off. The left hand drops back on to their lap or to the edge of the table. These customs are not always observed, of course. Neither French nor American table manners are morally or aesthetically superior.
I was taught in school (not sure if its true) that us Americans started switching hands around the Revolutionary War because people were so fired up about politics they were stabbing each other. Having a fork in your right hand instead of a knife meant less people getting seriously injured.
Thank You Manon 🌸 for sharing your knowledge of your amazing adventures. 🌸😉 May I say you’re very cute 🌺
Glad you enjoy ! And thank you
I think the word you’re thinking of is slices. Like triangle cuts. Like a pizza slice. 👍🏼😃
I think that’s what you’re thinking of. Sorry I don’t mean to correct you! I just thought I could help. 😃
Yes that probably was it !! Haha thank you sometimes I can’t find the right words
It’s no problem. I speak with a lot to people that speak a lot of different languages. I don’t think anything bad about it. I just want to help people when I can. Don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to be a know it all or anything! I’m actually not that educated myself, but I can kind of feel what other people are trying to say and I just want to help when I can. 😃👍🏼
Oh I mean I know you’re educated, but I’m not.
I would like to visit Northern France. I am interested in WW1 and hiking the battlefields of the Western Front would be awesome for me!
watch for landmines
How is bread or bread and butter eaten with a knife and fork?
that one is with hands for sure ! Haha but most of the actual meals are eaten with a knife and fork
I have a question. Are you familiar with the department of Orne and in particular the town of Parfondeval?
No I am not, I just looked it up and the medieval building is beautiful ! I just saw it is rated on the list of the most beautiful villages of France.
English had thee and thou, analogous to vous and tu, but they fell out of common use in the spoken language more than 200 years ago. Today they persist in isolated religious communities in the US - and in poetry. A native English speaker would certainly understand thee and thou as archaic words for you,
When I "cut the cheese" people leave the room.
I actually never heard that saying before haha and I lived 5 years in the states so that's weird, maybe it is not a saying that is really used in PA idk
@@manonbtravels6343 It is a term associated with adolescence that simply means you flatulated. I am certain there is an amusing equivalent in French. As for cheese itself, I enjoy the texture of the "crust," but not so much the flavor.
Bonjour Manon! 🍻
Bonjour !
Is everything starting to return back to normal in France?
@@TroyPosey slowly but surely ! Yes people are going back to work, restaurants are reopening so it's getting better. And the number of death is decreasing so hopefully we keep it that way by being careful.
Manonb travels - That is good to hear. 👍🏻
1:25 "Radially". You're welcome.
So basically don't eat pizza or fries in France, got it.
Not a problem that you don't speak English, I don't speak French, very very limited there. It makes sense that not everyone speaks English. i don't understand people who think that everyone understands/speaks it.
Hhaha no you can eat them !! but not with your fingers ;)
Yeah I know, even if English is one of the most commun languages, a lot of people don"t know how to speak it and don"t have to
I'm Canadian and I do the 3 the same as you
THANK YOU
Welcome !!
Will I get in trouble if I go to Agnicourt and wave a little English flag? I kid I kid. A most enlightening video.
Awesome Sauce. Thankyouverymuch
How do you eat your bread? Do you cut it with a fork and knife?
Usually you're supposed to cut it with a knife then you can eat it with your hands :) But if you're at your house you will usually cut it with your hands as week and only used the knife when you have people over
Love from Pittsburgh Manon 😍
Manon, just remember, if you find yourself in the Big Apple (New York City) and someone sees you eating pizza with a knife and fork, they will escort out of the city and dump you in New Jersey. lol
Gotta give that pizza the ol’ new york fold and eat it in 3 bites
We Americans DO know how to properly cut cheese. Thin enough to put between 2 slices of Wonder white bread, ready to be grilled.
Americans are always offended when anyone cuts the cheese, unless of course it's just for comedy. :-)
I am offended most times when people cut the cheese
ha le coup du fromage , je ne l'avais jamais entendue encore dans les videos french etiquette ^^, c'est bien ça change :)
Bonjour! I just subscribed. Good advice, thank you. A bientot!
Very nice, thank you. I subscribed. Please make more interesting videos. NOTE: in the USA "cut the cheese" means to fart, be careful. Thank you so much for your good job on the video.
hearing you say cut the cheese made me think of "cut the cheese" which means fart.
I did not know about this expression haha
@@manonbtravels6343 It is a male humor expression so you may not have been exposed to it. Another used by males for passing gas (fart) is 'pull my finger'. lol
Good video but don't assume everyone watching it is from the US.
You're right :)
In France, people are not ashamed of themselves if they can't speak English. But in India, constantly people who can't speak English are shamed. Wish I can change this in India. 😔
congrats on your internship! The next time I have to hold up three fingers I'm gonna try it your way :)
Thank you !! do it and if people look at you weird you say that's how we do it in France ! ahah
How about a cheeseburger with extra mayonnaise and extra cheese just some delicious would any french person want to eat that?
I think your way of doing number 3 is very European. My dad was in the army and said Germans do that too. Also in Inglorious Bastards the one character was a spy and he used the American way of giving number 3 and got busted.
Learning American English is not the same as other EEnlish language. For instance." "Who cut the cheese?" Has a different meaning here than other countries. One of the reasons as to speaking English and understanding is difficult. American english is full of slangs...
Some of these norms seem so dumb. Though, every country has these dumb customs, especially the US. so this not a shitting on the French thing. I'm all about treating people with a reasonable amount of respect, but I'm not going to eat fries with a fork lol.
Like a lot of social norms, it seems a little classist. I wonder if poor and working class people feel the same way about these things.
I remember as a kid, my mom made me take my hat off when we ate somewhere. I could kinda understand if it was fancy, but it was casual dining. Some friends' families thought the elbows on a table thing was rude. Ugh, I can't stand this nitpicky shit.
I don’t agree I don’t think it’s dumb, I think it’s nice to have some manners. Of course it’s not something crucial or fundamental but it just helps keeps us act in a better way I think. I do agree it is a bit classist and the more money you have and more your lifestyle changes and you have more « manners » to follow. However does it make it wrong ? I don’t think so, as long as you recognize not everyone act the same
@@manonbtravels6343 Like I said, I'm all for the manners that entail being nice to people, but like eating fries with a fork is excessive to me. If someone wants to do these things, fine, but I don't think it's right to judge people who do these things. The line is definitely blurry in spots when it comes to rudeness.
Also, like I said, it's not just the French who are excessive with this. The American south is especially bad with the yes sir/ma'am and no sir/ma'am. I find it groveling.
In Italy they eat pizza with hands. From the perspective of a Russian, French people are too overly friendly and smiling.
Youve nice way of talking accent
Don’t be too friendly but don’t refuse the bise!?
That’s totally incoherent!
Why do you find it neccesary for visitors from the US to behave in ways that might fool a few random French people to not notice we aren't French? Wouldn't our language or at least our accent have already blown our "cover"? Um...and we don't like elbows on the dinner table either. And we don't eat with our hands unless the specific food is intended to be eaten that way. And over here, if you chew with your mouth open we'll get grossed out. How about y'all? Hmmm. I've never known anyone to intentionally cut a wheel or ball or block of cheese in a way that would offend other guests or even an uppity host or hostess. Seems an awfully petty thing to worry with.
.
Les Français prennent leur constitution d'Egalité et l'appliquent à la coupe du fromage.
Haha exactement !
french guy's dad always cut the cheese for everybody..... i only get a chance to cut cheese when i am in Texas with my frenchie.....lol... German and french all eat pizza and Burger with fork and kinfe... lol.... i really hate these two food ... i like goose liver and duck leg or duck breast ...or sea food ... i love to go to french market day ..and cook myself all the expensive food ... in france lamb ribs is really good .... i only like goat cheese pizza in france...
did you know here in america that the phrase "cut the cheese" means to pass gass? lol
I love how she is avoiding U.K. and trying to switch it with U.S.A
I forgot myself!
Can we eat with our feet 😉
Sounds like an uptight culture.
Pull the stick out!
I've always wanted to go to France because of their wealth of history and beautiful scenery, however after seeing this video I think I'll just stick to the barbarian countries of the world. Congratulations on your internship.
Lol
when getting on a bus, tram etc is wun suppost t say 'bonjour' tu đa drivar and any passinjar wun sits bisīd?
and cheese is a product of sexual animal abuse. Please consider being compassunit and going vegan.
Too many shallow and judgemental rules. I'm a happy friendly person. I'd leave France depressed.
Why do you get offended?
Don't you respect other person's freedom of expression ?
Are you a Islamist fundamental extremist Jihadi ?
I thought french people are proud of their right to offend others' way of life.
So if you are a real french, then you should remove the word etiquette from your dictionary and let everybody do things in their own way.
Hope you get my point 🙂🙂
Please do not go to france they made cartoons of the prophet Muhammad