Etiquette and good manners in France

Say Bonjour, Au revoir, Merci, S'il vous plaît and Excusez-moi in every situation, and greet on entering any small place before asking for something.

• Queue regularly, give your seat on transport to the elderly, pregnant and disabled, and hold the door for the person behind you.
• Speak in a moderate voice in public places, on the train and in the restaurant.
• Keep cleanliness and sort waste according to your city's system (tri sélectif: the yellow bin for recycling and the green for glass).
• Cigarettes are banned in enclosed places, stations and parks in some cities.
• Be punctual: ten minutes of lateness is accepted before a private invitation but not at work.
• Do not interrupt others and listen.
• And when bumping say Pardon.
• And respect privacy: do not ask strangers about salary, age or love life.
• And a smile and courtesy ease everything.

An invitation to a French home means trust and closeness, and often begins with an apéritif (a drink and light foods) then a dinner of several courses that may extend for hours.

• Tell the host of your arrival time and your dietary restrictions (halal and allergies) in advance.
• Arrive ten minutes after the time (do not arrive early), and bring a small gift: flowers (not chrysanthemums and carnations since they are for funerals), or sweets and chocolate, or wine for hosts if suitable (and if you do not drink bring juice, tea or sweets).
• Present it on entering.
• Take off your shoes if you see people doing so or they ask you.
• Eat what is served with appreciation, and say C'est délicieux, and it is fine to decline food politely for religious reasons Je ne mange pas de porc, merci.
• Help by carrying dishes.
• Thank on leaving, and send a thank-you message the next day, and return the invitation.

The French care about tidy and elegant appearance (soigné) without exaggeration, with a preference for neutral colours and simple elegance.

• Excessive sports clothing or torn or vulgar is not suitable in restaurants, offices and occasions.
• At work dress differs by sector (formal in banks and law, lighter in tech).
• And for special occasions wear what suits: smart at weddings and interviews.
• And there is no law banning the hijab in the street and public places, but concealing the whole face (the niqab and burqa) is banned under the 2010 law in public places, and visible religious symbols are banned for pupils in state schools (the 2004 law) and for public employees during their work (the principle of neutrality), and for candidates in some exams.
• And on the beach swimwear is permitted according to places.
• And cleanliness and smell are part of respect.
• And carry a coat since the weather is changeable.

At the French table: the hands stay visible above the table (not in the lap) and the wrists near the edge not the elbows, the napkin is placed on the lap, and the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right.

• Wait for the host to say Bon appétit before starting, and do not eat before everyone is served.
• Bread is placed on the table (not on the plate) and torn by hand and used to wipe the sauce (faire la scarpetta is accepted in family).
• Cheese comes after the main course and before dessert and is cut according to its shape (the head is not cut).
• And fruit is sometimes eaten with a knife and fork.
• Do not cut lettuce with the knife but fold it. Do not talk with a full mouth, and do not drink without wiping your mouth.
• Conversation at the table (food, culture and travel) is part of the pleasure.
• And the glass is raised with Santé !
• or À la vôtre !
• and people look in the eyes.
• And among etiquette is declining an extra glass politely Non merci, c'est parfait.
• And if you do not drink alcohol say Je ne bois pas d'alcool without embarrassment.

Secularism (laïcité) is a constitutional principle: the state is neutral and protects freedom of belief and practising rites for all provided public order is respected.

• Religion is a private matter, and people are not usually asked about their religion at work or public life.
• The religious diversity in France is large (Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Protestants, Buddhists and others), and mosques, churches, synagogues and places of worship exist in cities, and prayer opportunities are available in some universities, hospitals and companies.
• When visiting a church, cathedral or mosque keep calm, respect and modest dress, and stop the phone and photography during prayer.
• And the law punishes discrimination, harassment, hate speech and religious attacks, and you can report by 17 or via pharos or the Défenseur des droits.
• And mutual respect and discussing ideas without insult are part of the culture, and satire is accepted as freedom of expression.
• Speak about your religion calmly if asked, and do not impose it.

What do you bring on a home invitation?