Day 1787 (Saturday) 30th April 2022

The weather was quite disappointing this morning, we had planned on going to the Jolly Whale in la Darse for lunch with Suzanne and John but it was quite overcast so we cancelled it. The weather was OK  but not warm enough to sit outside for lunch. Every day  that I’ve worked in the last few weeks have been lovely and sunny but at the weekends it’s been cloudy – I can’t wait for the sunshine and heat to be guaranteed very soon. 

Badger had a big lie in on top of the wardrobe – he wins the cutest cat of the day award today.

I did my Duolingo this morning and saw that I had dropped down to third place but after doing two tests I got back up to first place! We had a good laugh in Le Phare last night and I had a short conversation with Seb and Willow in French and they seemed to be really pleased that I’m trying. 

Our flowers are looking great now

Even the bougainvillea is coming along nicely but Badger is still eating the scarlet sage.

Ten things to never say to a French person

Ah, France. The land of lazy workers, surrendering and adulterers. Come again? Say that stuff to a French person’s face and chances are you've made them really angry. Here we’ve listed some of the worst things you can say to a French man or woman.

Things you should never say to a French person

With the amount of stereotypes we have about the French and our propensity for 'French bashing' it’s no wonder that they won't be laughing at some of the jokes that come at their expense.

Whether it’s a comment on certain beliefs about their hygiene, the French work ethic or the real inventor of Champagne, there are many things that are better left unsaid on this side of the Channel or the Atlantic.

Lots of American and British tourists make a habit out of mocking France for surrendering in the Second World War. Some also try and take personal credit for liberating France from the Nazis. It’s hard to think of a situation where this strange brag is actually warranted and yet it does sometimes happen. If you’re going all the way to France on vacation it’s best to just be polite and friendly to people rather than boast about events. You didn’t have any part in yourself. Undoubtedly calling anybody cheese-eating surrender monkeys is not a good look.

Other don’t dos

Don’t Speak Too Loudly

Tourists having overly loud conversations are the bane of many a Parisian’s life. It’s important to remember to try and be quiet and considerate of other people. If you find yourself speaking louder than everybody else around you you’d better dial it back. Nobody wants to listen to your personal conversations after all. If you break this tacit rule at night you could find yourself in hot water to getting told off by an angry French person who wishes you just keep the noise down. It doesn’t matter how much fun you’re having on vacation it’s best to just lower your voice.

Don’t Eat All Your Meals In Tourist Spot

The northern districts are saturated with bistros and cafes designed to cater to tourists. These will often be overpriced and not as good as if you just went out a little bit further. Going away from the city centre or outside of Paris entirely. You can find a real authentic dining experience and as long as you’re polite and perhaps know a little French. They’ll be happy to have you when it can be a hassle to go out of your way when you’d rather go somewhere popular. It can be worth it to find somewhere unique.

Don’t Wave At Waiters

There’s a specific etiquette for how to behave in a real French restaurant. Many of the rules involve being polite and respectful of the waitstaff. Be prepared for your meal to take a little longer than it might do back home. Being patient while you wait for a server is integral rather than waving at them to get their attention. Essentially they’ll get to you when they get to you in the long waits and perceived. Lack of attentiveness is because in France the servers aren’t working for tips like in the US. They also won’t bring you the cheque until you ask them for it.

Don’t Assume Cars Will Stop At Pedestrian Crossings

Pedestrians and cyclists do have the right-of-way on French roads but this doesn’t always work in practice. Cars are required to stop at pedestrian crossings but only when people show a clear intention to cross. In other words, you’ll often have to actually start crossing to get a car to stop for you. This makes paying attention to busy roads even more important nobody wants to get into a nasty traffic accident when they’re supposed to be on vacation after all. It’s best to be doubly careful and make sure to look both ways.

Don’t Expect Destinations To Be Open On Sunday

This photo of Villefranche sur Mer was in this article by coincidence.

France still observes the traditional Western day of rest more strictly than other countries. If you’re not aware that lots of stores and attractions will be closed on a Sunday. It can definitely take you by surprise. Tourists are advised to be aware of this fact and plan around it. There’s nothing wrong with taking a day to relax and be with your family and friends which is what Sundays are typically reserved for. While times are slowly changing and you might find a few places open for a handful of hours. It’s best not to rely on this and to check ahead of time.

Don’t Believe The Old Food Stereotypes

We’ve all heard the classic stories that if you go to France everybody will be eating frogs legs and snails. In reality, this is not true and assuming it is will only make you look bad. While some eateries do indeed sell frogs legs and people certainly do eat garlic drenched escargot and both can be delicious. France has some of the most famous restaurants in the world and untold thousands of unique dishes to choose from. You can enjoy lots of culinary delicacies that aren’t as infamous.

Don’t Think Paris Is All There Is

Plenty of countries get reduced to their capital cities when it comes to tourism. France is no exception. Paris certainly has plenty of big draws and some of the world’s best sights as well as an epically long and rich history. It’s simply not a complete representation of France as a whole. There’s so much you’ll miss out on if you think like this. France also has beautiful cities all over the country and of course there is the French Riviera on the south coast the French Alps and on and on.

Don’t Assume Everyone Speaks English

Anglophone tourists can be bad with this trait wherever they go but in France, it goes over even worse. Plenty of English-speaking tourists show up without knowing a word of French which just makes you look rude. It’s best to learn at least a handful of vital phrases. And the basics of the language not to mention actually asking someone if they speak English. Before you start peppering them with questions knowing even a few sentences like how to ask for directions or how to order from a menu properly will go a long way to making you look polite and personable.