Day 2365 (Wednesday) 29th November 2023

Today’s special photos…

This is Nice

and so is this.

 

Huw worked in the big apartment this morning and after lunch he took me to Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat to work with Oceane. It was a beautiful day but it’s cold when you’re out of the sun.

I found this website today about French traditions but it’s rather long so I’ll post it over the next couple of days.

There are a lot of French traditions and French customs that are perfectly normal to French people but might seem strange or novel to North Americans, Brits and other cultures.

Here are nearly 50 examples of normal French traditions and customs in France that fit the bill.

The purpose of this exploration is to celebrate the diversity of customs around the world and embrace the beauty of our differences.

It’s absolutely okay to find certain aspects intriguing or different from what you’re accustomed to. So, with an open mind and a sense of curiosity, let’s jump into it. 

Are These Weird French Traditions to You?

Even if you positively love French traditions and culture, there are bound to be things that tourists and newcomers to France might find weird, strange or unusual.

The reality is that every culture has its own distinct traditions, unique beliefs, values, customs, and practices, which can vary greatly from country to country.

What might seem unfamiliar to one person can be completely run-of-the-mill to another.

It’s completely normal to feel confused or surprised when you encounter customs from other countries that are different from what you’re used to in your own culture.

Culture Shock

When people stumble upon practices they’ve never encountered, it can be surprising or even unsettling, especially if they don’t understand the meaning or context behind them, which can lead to culture shock.

For example, a tourist from a Western country may find it strange that it’s completely normal to slurp noodles in some Asian countries or that people in Thailand eat sticky rice with their hands. 

On the flip side, some Asian cultures may find it strange how couples in Western countries openly hold hands or kiss in public. In many Asian cultures, public displays of affection are less common and may be seen as inappropriate or immodest.

Additionally, some cultural practices may be seen as strange or even offensive due to cultural differences or misunderstandings. For example, in some cultures, it is customary to haggle over prices when shopping, while in other cultures, this may be seen as rude or disrespectful.

It’s important to approach these differences with an open mind and a willingness to learn and understand the values and beliefs of other cultures.

Some examples of French traditions tourists sometimes find strange about French culture.

You’re Really Rude if You Don’t Say Hello and Goodbye.

The French word for hello is bonjour, and the word for goodbye is au revoir.

Use them liberally in France before launching into ANY conversation because this French tradition might as well be written in stone.

You’ll be seen as an extremely rude tourist if you don’t say bonjour or au revoir.

I’m not exaggerating; you should also say bonjour when walking into a room with people, including the elevator.

Here are some examples of how and when to say hello and goodbye in France:

Hello to the salesperson in a small shop the minute you walk in and goodbye as you walk out.

Hello to the bus driver when you get on, and goodbye as you get off

Hello to the grocery store’s cashier before she begins scanning your items, and goodbye as you grab your bags to leave.

Hello to the bank teller before launching into your banking issues, and goodbye as you leave.

When you walk up to a stranger on the street to ask for directions, don’t say excuse me; say bonjour first. Then ask your question. Then merci au revoir.

At the bakery, walk up to the counter and say bonjour first before putting in your order and merci au revoir as you walk out.

It’s Perfectly OK to Kiss Co-Workers the Moment You Arrive at Work.

La bise is the French term for greeting someone with a cheek kiss, and it’s serious business in France with a strict set of unsaid rules.

One of those rules is that it’s perfectly OK to cheek-kiss colleagues at the office if you work closely with them. This is especially true for women.

Rather than walking straight to your desk in the morning with your head down, it’s common to greet your co-workers along the route to your desk with a bonjour and a cheek kiss (la bise.)

The number of cheek kisses you give depends on the area of France you are from.

My friends from Provence, where two-cheek kisses prevail, always get confused when they come to see me in Montpellier, where it’s customary to give three kisses.

Strikes are Seasonal in France and Completely Normal

Strikes, or “grèves” in French, have a long and storied history in France, dating back to the 19th century. Here are some interesting facts about strikes in France:

France is known for having a relatively high rate of strike activity compared to other countries. In 2019, for example, there were 180 strikes involving at least 10,000 workers in France, compared to just 11 in Germany and 0 in the UK.

The French prefer to go on strike before and after the “summer holidays”: June and September, according to C’est la grève.  

Strikes in France are often characterised by their intensity and duration. In some cases, strikes can last for weeks or even months, causing significant disruption to daily life.

One of the most famous strikes in French history was the May 1968 general strike, which brought the country to a standstill for several weeks. The strike was initially sparked by student protests but quickly spread to workers across the country, who demanded higher wages and better working conditions.

The French government has a history of negotiating with striking workers and has been known to make significant concessions to end a strike. In 2018, for example, the government agreed to cancel a planned fuel tax increase in response to widespread protests and strikes by the “Yellow Vest” movement.

French workers have a legal right to strike, and it is not uncommon for strikes to be called by multiple unions across different sectors of the economy at the same time.

Overall, strikes are a significant part of French culture and have played an important role in shaping the country’s political and economic landscape. While they can be disruptive, strikes are seen by many as a legitimate way for workers to express their grievances and fight for their rights.

Arriving 15 Minutes Late is Considered Polite.

In some countries, it’s not polite to arrive late. In France, however, that’s not the case. I would go as far as to say that this is a French tradition that’s considered polite, especially if you arrive a little late when you’re invited to a dinner party in France.

There’s even a name for this practice. It’s called “le quart d’heure de politesse” (The 15 minutes of politeness.)

Arriving a little late allows your host to finish up some last-minute things before the guest arrives. Be careful; always be on time for restaurant reservations and professional meetings.

Switching Between Tu And Vous is Second Nature.

If you recall your high school French, when addressing someone with the prefix “you,” you use the informal “TU” when you know someone or are close to them. You use the more formal “VOUS” if you do not know someone. But the rules are a little more complicated than that. 

This was Badger’s sleeping place this afternoon.