In any country you are about to visit, there are always practices that are bound to surprise you. Every country has a unique culture, and this is what fuels on how we perceive other people's cultures. The following are habits that the French people are accustomed to that might be unusual for people from other nations.
The French are very fond of bread. You will see most of them bring one or two baguettes, with sides having already been eaten. They do not bite the bread directly but tear it to bite-sized pieces before eating it. They also serve the bread on the table right away, unlike the usual way of serving bread on a plate. Additionally, they have the habit of using a piece of bride to wipe the sauce off the plate if the dinner happens to have a delicious sauce.
The French people are known to be romantic; that's why an acceptable form of greeting is a kiss on the cheek. These people kiss each other on the side of the face whether they are of the same gender or not, and they do not distinguish between lovers or friends. It is also customary in some regions to kiss five times. Make sure not to do it with a friend on the railway because, oddly enough, the greeting is considered illegal.
The French people are also popular for being so negative, and there are some theories surrounding this. The French think that having an overly positive outlook in life will make you overlook the negative aspects that need to be dealt with. They also regard the capacity of being able to point out the disadvantages and undesirables in any situation as a mark of intelligence and competence. So don't take it too hard if a certain French finds fault in you. You should worry a bit though if someone from France praises you.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
