19 French faux pas

One cultural difference that can confuse American visitors is that restaurants and cafes in France aren’t always open. Unless labeled as “non-stop service,” most will close between lunch and dinner. This means you usually won’t be seated after 2 or 2:30 p.m., and dinner service rarely starts before 7. Even then, it’s usually the tourists who arrive that early.

In France, they might not be the warmest when it comes to small talk, but you will still be expected to say hello and goodbye. So, any time you enter or leave a shop, cafe, or any establishment, make sure to say "bonjour" and "merci, au revoir."

Just like dinner service rarely begins before 7 p.m., most won’t open for lunch before noon or maybe 11:30. If you’re getting peckish, stop in at a bakery for a snack!

If you’re a fan of a glass of red at happy hour, you might need to rethink your habits in France. Most French order beer or rosé if they're just having a drink. Red wine is paired with meals, so while you won’t be refused if you order at a bar, it’s a bit strange.

Similar to the "requirement" of greeting shopkeepers, you'll also want to be polite with anyone you interact with, preferably in French. This doesn't mean giving them your entire life story, but rather "ça va" as a question and an answer (it translates to both "how's it going?" and "good"), "merci," "s'il vous plaît" (please), and "bonjournée" (have a good day).

You might have red wine with a meal, but not coffee. If you’re used to having a latté with your lunchtime sandwich, in France, coffee (usually espresso) is a post-meal drink. The one exception is breakfast.

If you’re accustomed to digging in as soon as you sit, rethink this. In France, it’s rude to begin eating before everyone is seated with their plate. The same goes for restaurant service. Wait until everyone has received their meal.

Americans have a reputation for being loud, and it’s true we speak at a higher base volume than many countries. However, many Europeans, like the French, also talk at a quieter frequency. So, while you don’t need to revise how you talk entirely, consider taking it down a notch in public if you want to avoid annoyed looks.

In France, taking a phone call in train cars is very much looked down upon. Instead, move to designated areas between the cars if you need to speak on the phone. You’ll hear announcements reminding passengers of this custom.

The French don’t do small talk with strangers beyond polite greetings, and they definitely don’t hug. Again, very American to do this, especially with people you just met. Instead, opt for the cheek kiss, one on each side.

In Paris and many larger cities, it’s true that, usually, it’s not too difficult to find someone who speaks English. However, the polite thing to do is to ask first. A simple “parlez-vous anglais?” (do you speak English?) will make the French much more willing to help.

Like many languages other than English, French has a formal and informal version of "you." The informal version is "tu," which you should only use with people you know well or children. "Vous" should be your go-to while traveling and interacting with various people you’ve probably never met before.

Many brasseries and cafes are happy to serve full meals as well as coffee or a glass of wine. However, depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll want to sit in particular sections. The best practice is to ask before seating, but in general, if you just want a drink, avoid tables with place settings.

Okay, this one is less of a "faux pas" and more of a "how not to fit in." The French tend to dress up more than Americans daily. And while you don’t need to wear your fanciest frocks during your trip, maybe leave the leggings, sneakers, and super casual fits at home.

People really take their time and appreciate breaks in France. It's not uncommon for a weekend lunch to last well over two hours and involve numerous courses. So don't sit down for a meal and expect to be in and out quickly. Relax. You're on vacation, after all!

America is the land of capitalism, and, man, do we love to talk about money, specifically how much we make. Leave the cash talk at home, though, because in many places, including France, it’s more of a taboo topic.

As I’ve emphasized, the French are polite, including chatting, to a point. You can say hello and ask how things are going, but much more than that (common in the U.S.) will make people feel uncomfortable and confused.

“On time is late” is a common refrain across the U.S. However, it’s a big no-no in France. And arriving early? Don’t do it!

Fun fact! We took a bunch of French words and continued to use them incorrectly. This includes "entrée," which actually means appetizer in French.