If you arrive late, it is considered rude and the host may be offended. While that is the custom in America, it is not the custom around the world. In fact, in France, arriving on time to a dinner party is considered rude. The proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes late to the party.
It is rude to sit with one's legs spread apart unless in a relaxed context. Rather, sit straight with your legs crossed at the knee or knees together. Feet should not be placed on tables or chairs. If someone is invited to a restaurant or a business function, it is acceptable to arrive at the specific time.
While you should endeavour to be punctual, you will not be considered to be late, should you come ten minutes after the scheduled time. French people treat punctuality very casually, however, still there remains a regional difference, If you go towards south of France you go towards the more relaxed way.
Punctuality is valued and appreciated in French business culture. Offer business cards to the receptionist or secretary upon arriving in an office, and to each person you subsequently meet. Print business cards in either English or French and be sure to include your academic degree and/or title.
Even though punctuality is important in France, a five-minute delay is generally tolerated if it has been informed. There are some regional differences regarding punctuality, so the further South you go the more casual the approach to time usually is.
In France, as in many other parts of Europe, we use Military Time, which divides the day in 24 hours. Anything after 12 noon can get a bit tricky for you if you are not used to seeing time expressed this way, but its pretty easy - you all know what number follows 12. It's 13!. So quiet simply, 13h is 1 o'clock.
The French also have a somewhat relaxed attitude toward punctuality, unless there's a meal involved. While you should do your best to be on time, there's usually a ten-minute “grace period” for appointments before you're “late.” However, for meals and social events, you'd better be on time.
The Swiss derive genuine joy from the fact that life unfolds on time and in a highly efficient manner. Although many countries are saddled with stereotypes, in Switzerland's case they're dead on. The alpine nation really is highly efficient. And meticulously punctual.
While speaking English, in Paris, is not considered rude, expecting every French person to speak French will surely be seen as such. To avoid a cold reaction from the other party, it will always be appreciated to start the conversation with a simple sentence in French.
“French people eat late because most standard job hours are 9 or 10 to 6, instead of 9 to 5 like in the States,” Alysa explains. “So, by the time everyone gets home, gets settled, and a meal is prepared, it's about 8 pm.”
At age 17, about half of French teenagers have experienced their first sexual intercourse. With a median age of 17.6 for women and of 17.4 for men in 2010, the gap between the sexes has narrowed to a few months.
For Parisians eye contact is a personal matter, much like your choice of wine, or infidelity in relationships. As a general rule, you have to avoid looking strangers in the eye; it's slightly offensive. Remember, personal space reigns.
Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is understood as a form of respect. It is considered to be extremely rude not to make and maintain eye contact. Gestures: French people tend to use the 'thumbs up' sign to indicate 'okay'.
The reputation of French people being rude is often due to cultural differences. French people tend to be more direct and less overly cheerful in their daily interactions. Instead, they are generally more private and less prone to chit-chat and have their own rules.
In Brazil, the students believe that a person who usually arrives late is probably more successful than a person who is always on time. In fact, Brazilians expect a person with status or prestige to arrive late, while in the United States lateness is usually considered to be disrespectful and unacceptable.
The Reputation Institute, a global private consulting firm based in New York and Copenhagen, has just released its third annual list of 50 countries, ranked according to what it says is people's trust, admiration, respect and affinity for those countries. Topping the list for the second year in a row: Canada.
These include Spain, Portugal, Italy, and most of Latin America. And then there are the nations of the Middle East and Africa, where punctuality is not traditionally valued. In such places, people could show up hours late (or not at all) without conveying an insult.
Respect is shown in verbal greetings by referring to the person as 'Madam' ('Ms') or 'Monsieur' ('Mr'). Though previously the title 'Madam' referred to a married woman and 'Mademoiselle' referred to an unwed woman, this practice is no longer commonplace.
The law in France is on your side: it states that people should make no noise at all between 10pm and 7am, and nothing above 'ambient noise' for a prolonged period outside of these times, and by now you have extensive evidence to use to show that your neighbour has been breaking this law.
Say bonjour every place you go.
Even if you don't see anybody when you walk in, say "Bonjour." Someone will probably hear you and reply. Any time you walk up to a counter in a hotel or a ticket window in a museum, theater, etc, say "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir" before you start asking questions.
What is the personality of France? The French people are known for having good etiquette, but always arriving at their destination fashionably late. They take the time to savor their meals and have an appreciation for fine dining, formal dress, and intellectual conversations, but they do not argue about money.
In France, saying “I love you” doesn't carry the same weight as in the United States. It's less of a taboo, and partners freely say it to each other, even after only a few dates. This is because they usually already know each other by the time they start dating.