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DO: Avoid
being loud
It is considered very rude to be loud in a crowded place, such as a subway car or restaurant.
Keep in mind that, though you may be enjoying your holiday, most people around you in the métro or other places are probably
going to or back from work and may be tired and thus will react very coolly to tourists babbling at the top of their lungs.
DO:
Avoid sensitive topics for conversation
France is not exactly the same country that one sees portrayed on American
television. Its people have a wide variety of opinions about many subjects. Unless you really follow French news closely,
you should probably steer clear of discussing internal French politics, especially sensitive issues such as immigration -
you probably don't know much about them and will come across as judgmental and uninformed. Reading French newspapers to get
a feel for the wide spectrum of political opinions in France – from the revolutionary left to the nationalistic right
– would help.
The French seldom advertise their religious feelings, however, and expect you to do so
as well. Doing so would make people quite not at ease. It is also generally considered nosey to inquire about religious or
other personal issues. You should also avoid presenting yourself through what you own (house, car...). Do not mention how
much you are making in your job until being clearly asked about it, it would otherwise be considered obscene. Instead express
your enthusiasm about how great are the responsibilities, or how lucky you were to get there.
Jokes about alleged
French military cowardice will be reacted to very coolly. France lost a tremendous amount of soldiers during the First World
War in order to defend itself. Not only such jokes will not make anybody laugh, but also you will be considered arrogant and
ignorant. These jokes are also far off the truth when one looks at the number of wars France has waged during the 20th century.
Anti-French feelings, especially popular amongst the British and Americans, can be fueled by the inadvertent reduction
of France to Paris, that is, that all French people act like Parisians, when this is quite far from the truth. Many rural
people say that France is a blessed country, the inference drawn that it is cursed by Paris (or the Government. This also
included the Germans, but is rare since the 50s). Paris is a fairly unusual city by French standards and life there is, in
some respects, closer to life in London or New York City than in the rest of France. A traveler's experiences with French
culture in Paris should be treated as one would treat an experience in the traveler's own country's largest cities; that is,
the locals are hurried and "have seen it all".
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