Culture Wise France
Joe Laredo
Travellers often underestimate the depth of cultural isolation they can face abroad, particularly in a country with a different language. To some people, France may seem an ‘easy’ option, with its millions of annual visitors and hundreds of thousands of foreign residents. However, sooner or later, most newcomers find many aspects of French life alien – bureaucracy, food and language, for example – and some come unstuck as a result. Culture Wise France will help you understand France and its people, and adapt to the French way of life. Most importantly, it will enable you to quickly feel at home.
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Other guides for France
Extracts from the book…
Greetings
When you’re introduced to a French adult, you should shake hands and say ‘Bonjour’ or, in a formal situation and with older people (see above), ‘Bonjour Monsieur/Madame’. It’s also polite to say ‘enchanté(e)’ (‘pleased to meet you’). With children, simply say ‘Bonjour’. The usual informal greeting is ‘Salut’ (‘Hello’ or ‘Hi’) – the reply is normally the same.
It’s customary to say Bonjour on entering a small shop or a waiting room if there are other people waiting to be served; you should say Bonjour Monsieur/Madame to the shop assistant or receptionist.
Bonjour usually becomes Bonsoir around 6pm or after dark, but don’t be surprised if a French person responds with Bonjour when you’ve said Bonsoir – or vice versa. Bonne nuit is used only when going to bed or leaving a house in the evening.
After a meeting or on leaving a shop, you should say ‘Au revoir’ – or ‘Au revoir Monsieur/Madame’ if you used this form of greeting. You may be wished bonne journée (have a nice day) or variations such as bon après-midi, bonne fin d’après-midi, bon dimanche or bon week-end, to which you may reply vous aussi, vous de même or et vous. In fact it’s usual to wish people a ‘good’ something when leaving them, whether it’s a holiday (bonnes vacances), trip (bon voyage), car journey (bonne route), journey home (bon retour), or simply the continuation of whatever they were doing when you met (bonne continuation). To wish someone luck with something he’s about to do, say Bon courage, not Bonne chance (which implies that he hasn’t a hope in hell).
There are a number of informal alternatives to Au revoir, including A la prochaine (‘til the next time), Salut, Bye and Ciao. If you’ve arranged to see the person again, you can say A demain/dimanche/etc.; if you’re likely to meet again soon (usually within a few hours), A bientôt, A plus tard, A plus (colloquial) or A tout à l’heure.
France is Different
Many people underestimate the cultural isolation that can be experienced in a foreign country, particularly one with a different language. Even in a country whose language you speak fluently you’ll find that many aspects of the culture are surprisingly foreign – and France is no exception (despite the cosy familiarity engendered by cinema, television and books).
France is popularly perceived by the British as an easy expatriate option because it’s only ‘next door’ and so cannot possibly be that different from the UK. The fact that tens of thousands of Britons have made France their home suggests that settling there must be a straightforward process. Americans often make similar assumptions – ‘France is every man’s second country,’ declared Thomas Jefferson – and that was 200 years ago. They, and people from other countries, are often surprised and even shocked at how different France is from home – and from what they expected – and many survive only a few years before returning, disillusioned and disappointed.
Not only is France very different from any other country, but its values, beliefs, attitudes and customs – in short, its culture – are passed down through the generations by a process of osmosis, a process which is all but invisible to the foreigner. Little is made obvious or explained; things are simply known, and the French are invariably astonished to discover that their knowledge is largely confined to their borders. ‘You’ve never heard of so-and-so?’ they will exclaim, citing some singer, actor or comedian whose name is familiar only to the French. Assimilating this obscure store of knowledge is a never-ending process and one which can frustrate and exasperate foreigners.
Before you even encounter the local culture, however, you’ll need to adapt to a totally new environment and new challenges, which may include a new job, a new home and a new physical environment, which can be overwhelming. Those who move to a new job in France may encounter a (very) steep learning curve. The chances are that you’ve left a job in your home country where you held a senior position, were extremely competent and knew all your colleagues. In France, you may be virtually a trainee (especially if your French isn’t fluent) and not know any of your colleagues. The feeling that you’re starting from scratch can be demoralising.
Even if you move to a part of France with a well-established expatriate community, such as Dordogne or certain Breton and Provencal villages, things that you’re used to and took for granted in your home country may not be available, e.g. certain kinds of food, opportunities to engage in your favourite hobby or sport, and books and television programmes in your language. The lack of ‘home comforts’ can wear you down. You’ll also have to contend with the lack of a local support network. At home you had a circle of friends, acquaintances, colleagues and possibly relatives you could rely on for help and support. In France, there’s no such network, which can leave you feeling lost.
The degree of isolation you feel usually depends on how long you plan to spend in France and what you’ll be doing there. If you’re simply going on a short holiday you may not even be aware of many of the cultural differences, although if you are it will enhance your enjoyment and may save you a few embarrassing or confusing moments. However, if you’re planning a business trip or intend to spend an extended period in France – perhaps working, studying or even living there permanently – it’s essential to understand the culture, customs and etiquette at the earliest opportunity.
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PRICE: £9.95
PUBLICATION: January 2008
EDITION: 1st
PAGES: 272
BINDING: paperback
SIZE: 200 x 130mm
COLOUR PHOTOS: approx. 200
