Helpful Tips for Visiting France: Part I

Photo by Tristan Nitot

If you are visiting France for a vacation or extended holiday there are a few things that you probably don't know or will not be told about everyday life in France. The following information about visiting France is meant to be helpful tips for anyone visiting the country and give you those little tidbits that you don't get in the guidebooks.

There is a common misconception about the French being rude. Yes there are rude people everywhere and you are more likely to bump into them in places like Paris, but a lot of it stems from visitors to France not educating themselves on some basic ways of communication in France.

Before you visit France make sure to learn some basic French. You should at least be able to say hello, goodbye, thank you and that you do not speak French.  People complain about the French being rude after they have stated they have walked up to them and asked questions in English without even saying hello in French and then getting upset when the French person is not so cooperative or cannot understand them.

Learn to say hello in French, be polite and you get a totally different response. In fact if you follow this simple etiquette you will find that most French people are extremely helpful and will go out of their way to help you. Of course this will not always be the case but it will be the majority of the time and resulting in your visit to France being much more enjoyable.

So the point being is make sure to learn some basic French. Always say hello, thank you and goodbye. It is everyday etiquette in France and you will probably be seen as rude and not treated as politely is you don't do it. Many French will not mind that you cannot speak French but they will appreciate that you have shown some respect by at least attempting to say a couple of words.

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