Some people believe the French are rude.

Usually, though, that stems from a cultural misunderstanding, differences in the way the French see the world around them and the way maybe you do.

Allow me to peel back a layer or two of the French mentality to give you a peek into ways you can get the French to respect you. I'm not talking simple little tips like always saying 'Bonjour' and 'merci' here I'm talking about understanding some deeprooted differences when it comes to things like personal space and politeness.

Understand how personal space is different in France, particularly in shops and cafes, where respecting boundaries is crucial. The French prioritize refinement and respect. Acknowledging others regardless of language barriers is important, with politeness being more important than fluency in French. Adapt to the French concept of time, where punctuality varies depending on the context and where worklife balance is highly valued. Recognize the dual levels of conversation in France, between polite exchanges and engaging in playful debates.

0:40 Respect comes from being reliable, honest, and considerate.
1:06 Personal space in France is intimate, especially in public settings like cafes and the metro.
2:00 Entering a French shop is like entering someone's home; respect their space.
3:06 The power dynamics in French shops are different; it's not rudeness but a cultural difference.
3:37 Politeness is formal in France, reflecting mutual respect.
4:14 Money isn't king in France; politeness and refinement are valued.
5:07 Outpoliting someone in a conflict can be effective in France.
5:31 Using 'vous' instead of 'tu' maintains politeness; ask before switching to 'tu'.
6:43 Acknowledging people and being polite is more important than speaking French perfectly.
7:13 Attitude matters more than language in France.
7:42 Punctuality is important, but French worklife balance includes lots of holidays.
9:01 Respect French people's vacation time; it's a cultural norm.
9:35 Conversations in France often include playing Devil's Advocate for fun.
10:35 Recap: Respect personal space, be polite, acknowledge others, understand French time, and navigate conversations in two levels.
10:59 Six things not to do


** Shot on an iPhone, edited on an iPad with LumaFusion **

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