{"id":2420,"date":"2014-11-28T17:38:17","date_gmt":"2014-11-28T17:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.applelanguages.com\/blog\/?p=2420"},"modified":"2016-01-20T13:51:59","modified_gmt":"2016-01-20T13:51:59","slug":"insiders-guide-french","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.applelanguages.com\/blog\/locations\/france\/insiders-guide-french.php","title":{"rendered":"An insider\u2019s guide to the French"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1st<\/a>For a better understanding of the French, this post is a must read if you\u2019re planning on studying French<\/a>, taking a language course in France or simply stopping by the most visited country in the world!<\/p>\n

Here are three things you should\u00a0\u00a0know before meeting us\u00a0\u2018froggies\u2019.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Speak French first<\/strong>
\nWe are known for thinking that their language is the most beautiful language in the whole wide world, and that is why most of us did not really pay attention in English classes (or any other foreign language classes for that matter). Well, this is not completely wrong, but it means that if you take a language course in France, you\u2019ll have plenty of opportunity to practice your French with locals! And trust me, they will be incredibly proud and grateful to see a foreigner speaking the language of Moli\u00e8re, making an effort to speak their language!<\/p>\n

\"France2\"<\/a>Believe me, I know that speaking a foreign language with native speakers can be intimidating. French is not your mother tongue, it is ok to make mistakes and it\u2019s the only way you can improve! As they say, practice makes perfect. French people know that and will often try to articulate very clearly (and probably loudly too) to help you understand everything. Your endeavours will soon pay off and you will be able to chat with locals in no time at all. And in France, it is very common to invite your friends to come to your place, even if you\u2019ve just met them, so you\u2019ll meet loads of locals during your stay.
\nWhat\u2019s more, the French take great pride in their history and their culture. You will very often find that we are passionate about it and eager to share it with anyone genuinely interested, and before you know it, you\u2019ll be a real history buff and know everything from Charlemagne to Charles de Gaulle!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Etiquette is the key
\n<\/strong>It is often said that French people are rude and arrogant. Being French myself, I don\u2019t find it to be true. Before you tax me with partiality and chauvinism, I\u2019d like to add that I have lived in other countries and thus have a different insight into my own culture than my compatriots. I think the French way of being is very often misinterpreted \u2013 the French are a polite, friendly and welcoming people, they just express it in a different way!<\/p>\n

\"France3\"<\/a>After living abroad and discovered various cultures, I do see how it may be a bit confusing for a foreigner to come live in France. If you study the French language, then you know that we tend to be much more formal than English-speakers. What you probably think is pompous and cold, is actually how we show respect and politeness! As you surely know, we have a formal \u2018you\u2019, our formule de politesse (\u2018polite form\u2019) \u2013 everything is in the name! It is certainly one of the most puzzling elements of the language for any English-speaker learning French.<\/p>\n

So here\u2019s a great and fun article to help you use it correctly : www.latimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n

We talk to people in a different way depending on their age and the relationship we have with them. Yes, we do love etiquettes, but then again, being nice and friendly in France is to be polite and formal!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Greeting someone
\n\"France4\"<\/a><\/strong>Now here\u2019s another stereotype that is no myth. How can we be aloof and cold, when we give you a peck on the cheek to say hi? It may sound way too invasive and personal for our English and German neighbours, but kissing somebody on their cheeks actually feels like less of an intrusion of our personal space than a hug (too much contact!).<\/p>\n

However, a few rules apply! Let me give you some valuable pieces of advice.<\/p>\n

In a business or professional context, you obviously greets the person with a handshake (don\u2019t go and give your boss a big kiss!). That being said, let\u2019s get down to the more difficult stuff.<\/p>\n

If you are a woman, you should\u00a0always kiss the person you are introduced to on the cheek to greet him\/her. Whether it\u2019s a close friend, a member of your family or a complete stranger, it doesn\u2019t matter!<\/p>\n

If you are a man, it\u2019s more tricky.
\nIf you are introduced to a woman you have never met before or your aunt Frida, you kiss her on the cheeks.
\nIf the person you are introduced to is a man, then you usually shake his hand.
\nHowever, it is acceptable to kiss another man on the cheeks if:
\n– he\u2019s a child
\n– he\u2019s a really (really) close friend
\n– he\u2019s an older member of your family<\/p>\n

Now that you know what to do, you should learn how to do it!
\nIt\u2019s always funny for us because we can usually tell whether someone is French by the way they cheek kiss. Obviously, all foreigners are unbelievably uncomfortable when it comes to kissing a stranger on the cheeks. But it\u2019s also because they actually \u201ckiss\u201d, when we most often just \u201cair kiss\u201d. Your lips\/cheek should just hardly brush the other person\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

Last but not least \u2013 how many kisses?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"French-kisses\"<\/a>Yes, that is an issue. But you shouldn\u2019t worry too much about it, because even French people can\u2019t make up their minds. The number of cheek kisses you give varies from region to region. I think it is safe to say that 2 kisses is the standard. Then you just have to wait and see what happens!<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a useful map if you\u2019re planning a trip to France.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Margaux<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For a better understanding of the French, this post is a must read if you\u2019re planning on studying French, taking a language course in France or simply stopping by the most visited country in the world! 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