The faux pas to avoid when travelling in France

From greeting waiters to tipping and how to give the perfect bisous, this is all you need to know before you embark on your French holiday

The French. They’re notorious for observing a certain level of etiquette – they invented the word after all – so whether you’re a new visitor to La République or a tried and tested Francophile, here are the subtle social norms and practices you need to know.

1. Greetings and the Art of the Bisous

Don’t be a mute

It’s a small thing but if you want to experience good service in France, it pays to remember how to say hello — use bonjour or bonsoir (after 6 pm) — and merci (thank you) whenever you enter or exit a store. It’s a courtesy that goes a long way.

Break out the handshake

If you’re not a fan of air kisses, you’ll be happy to know the French greet each other, personally and professionally, with a firm handshake. While exceptions are made for close friends and loved ones, on your trip, it’s best to introduce yourself, at least initially, with a firm handshake.

Know your vous and tu

As if the language isn’t confusing enough, the French have formal (vous) and informal (tu) ways to say ‘you.’ Listen out for the words as a way to decipher if someone is referring to you (or anyone else) in a formal or informal manner. If all else fails, just know tu is reserved for close friends and loved ones.

Nail that bisous

There’s no avoiding the air kiss and mastering it will impress the locals. Stick with dispensing just two kisses (it can go up to four in the north of France), start with the right cheek, aim to brush it with a kiss sound, and whatever you do, don’t ever end with a hug.

2. Dining out

Don’t sit for a drink

At a bar, sure, but if you’re in a restaurant and stopping for a glass of wine, navigate away from the tablecloth-covered tables which are meant for customers sitting down for a meal only.

Keep those elbows on the table

Believe it or not, dining with your hands hidden is bad form. The French don’t mind if you keep your elbows on the table, for them, this is polite. Also, once you’re done, put your knife and fork parallel to the right of the plate so the waiter will know you’ve finished.

Dine like the French

Don’t rush through your meals, the French dine leisurely and at fixed times. Lunch is from 12 pm-2 pm and dinner only kicks off from 7:30 pm. In-between you’ll have to make do with a snack or give in to delicious viennoiseries (baked snacks from Vienna). Also, restaurant reservations are always advised, if you need help, ask the hotel concierge for assistance.

French food “rules”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Gauls have rules when it comes to dining. For instance, bread doesn’t belong on a plate, but beside it on the tablecloth, and preferably eaten along with the meal, not before. Salads are treated as palate cleansers and will be served after the main course to aid digestion. Cheese comes before dessert – when in doubt, opt for comté, Gruyère, goat’s cheese or a Roquefort – and dessert and coffee are treated as two separate courses. To enjoy a sweet with your post-meal espresso, order a café gourmand, an espresso served with three mini desserts.

Give a good toast

Hold back on the raucous laughter and bone-rattling chants when toasting in France, simply utter the word santé – to good health. Make sure you look at everyone in the eye and avoid crossing arms.

Ask for the bill

In France, it’s common courtesy that cafes and restaurant won’t give you the bill unless you ask for it: l’addition, s’il vous plait.

3. General niceties

Tips on tipping

Unlike the US, tipping is not mandatory in France but it is encouraged for those who dispense services – opening doors, carrying your luggage, delivering room service – should be tipped €1-2 (A$1.50-3) each. Housekeeping can be tipped similarly, per day at the end of the trip, and if you’re taking a taxi, a 10% tip will do. When dining out, service and taxes are already included in prices but it never hurts to leave behind some change.

Bring a gift

If you’re invited to someone’s home, bring along a gift. The caveat? Bring something preferably French (wine, Champagne, cheese), otherwise flowers or a pre-agreed dessert. Take care not to arrive exactly on time, it’s perfectly acceptable to arrive 15 minutes late so the host has sufficient time to ensure everything is prepared.

Mind the produce

As tempting as it is to reach out and squeeze a melon, don’t. While shopping for produce in a market, let the shopkeeper know what you’re after. Simply point to the piece you’ve got your eye on, or allow him/her to choose for you.

Dress smartly

The French appreciate a smart dress sense, this doesn’t mean it has to be designer threads, just well-cut clothing in a quality fabric. While jeans are acceptable – you are on holiday after all – save the sporty clothes, tired sneakers and flip flops for the beach.

Check trading hours

Before you presume a café or boutique is open all day, 7 days a week, it pays to check. It’s not an uncommon practice for some shops to close between noon at 2 pm or have their own operating hours, many stores are also closed Sundays. If you’re determined to dine or shop somewhere in particular – especially in the summer months – check ahead.

Carry cash

While ATMs and credit facilities are easily found in France, for smaller purchases storekeepers or market vendors will prefer you pay with cash. It’s not uncommon for a certain minimum charge before a credit card is accepted, too, so keep some spare Euros handy.