Tag Archives: etiquette

French Language Week

Posted on 20/03/2016 by nessafrance

Apologies to subscribers via MailChimp, which has played tricks and not included the link to the post in the alert. Hopefully, you have got here by clicking on the blog title at the top of the alert. Today is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Language | Tagged Brexit, etiquette, French, French citizenship, French citizenship language test, French language, French test, Language, SW France | 12 Comments

Things I Didn’t Know When I Moved to France: Part 1, the Positives

Posted on 25/05/2014 by nessafrance

Now, you’re all thinking I’m going to complain about everything I’ve encountered in France since moving here 17 years ago. Not so. What follows in this post is complimentary; Part 2 (to be posted later) is less so. I’ve restricted … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, French life, History | Tagged etiquette, France, French health system, French local government, living in France, patrimoine, social customs, SW France | 35 Comments

A Grave Issue

Posted on 10/02/2013 by nessafrance

Sorry; I couldn’t resist the pun. Our local commune’s Bulletin Municipal (annual report) contains a lot of practical information. This year’s included an article about regulations relating to cemeteries. Now, none of us wants to dwell on our mortality but … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, French life, Teysseroles chapel | Tagged cemeteries, Chapelle de Teysserolles, etiquette, French funeral customs, graveyards, social customs, SW France | 16 Comments

What Do the French Talk About at Dinner Parties?

Posted on 03/08/2011 by nessafrance

Last night, we were invited to dinner with French friends with whom we socialise regularly. The SF and I have christened our group ‘the Gang’. There were nine of us yesterday. Some of them were born in the region and … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, French life | Tagged dinner party conversation, etiquette, food, France, living in France, social customs, SW France | 13 Comments

The good guest guide

Posted on 10/07/2010 by nessafrance

‘House guests are like fish; they are only good for three days.’ This often (mis)quoted aphorism, possibly a Danish proverb but certainly immortalised by Benjamin Franklin, has a certain ring of truth about it.

Posted in Customs, French life, Rants | Tagged blogs about France, etiquette, France, guests, living in France, rural life, summer, SW France | 3 Comments

French social customs 7: tu or vous?

Posted on 11/04/2010 by nessafrance

Another knotty problem in my French social customs series [for the others, see Customs in Topics in the right-hand sidebar].

Posted in Customs, French life, Language, Top tips | Tagged blogs about France, Charles de Gaulle, English, etiquette, France, French, Language, rural life, social customs, Tu, Vous | 7 Comments

French social customs 6: greetings in French

Posted on 29/03/2010 by nessafrance

For my other posts about French customs, please see Customs under Topics in the right-hand sidebar. In theory it’s simple: to say hello it’s bonjour all day and bonsoir in the evening. To say good-bye it’s au revoir at any time of … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, French life, Language, Top tips | Tagged Aveyron, blogs about France, etiquette, France, French, phrases, social customs | 1 Comment

French social customs 5: Monsieur, Madame or first names?

Posted on 25/03/2010 by nessafrance

For my other posts about French customs, please see Customs under Topics in the right-hand sidebar. The French are more formal than the Americans or the English and are sticklers for politeness. Many an unsuspecting foreigner has got stuck in the swamp … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, French life, Language, Top tips | Tagged blogs about France, etiquette, France, French, phrases, social customs | 1 Comment

French social customs 4: table manners part 2

Posted on 21/03/2010 by nessafrance

People in France eat out a lot (although somewhat less during the present crise). On Sundays, you will often see whole families from grandparents down to babies tucking into a five-course meal. This is the reason why French children are … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, French life, Top tips | Tagged blogs about France, breaking news, dinner, etiquette, food, France, Lunch, restaurants, social customs | Leave a comment

Language mistakes: 5 things to avoid saying in French

Posted on 18/03/2010 by nessafrance

Translating literally from English to French is always dangerous. Many French words change their meaning depending on how they are used or which verbs they are used with. Also, hundreds of English and French words look similar but mean different … Continue reading →