- How many people who are prominent in
the affairs (politics, athletics, religion, the arts,...) of
France can you name ?
|
See the
most popular personalities
for the French and Who's Who in France |
- Who are the country's national heroes
and heroines ?
|
See history page |
- Can you recognize the national anthem ?
|
Everyone
knows the stirring... |
- Are other languages spoken besides
the dominant language ? What are the social and political implications
of language usage ?
|
See language |
- What is the predominant religion ?
Is it a state religion ? Have you read any of its sacred writings
?
|
France is (by
constitution) a lay country ; nominal religions are catholicism
(>85%), islam (8%), judaism (2%), protestantism (1%) ; these
figures are approximate (it is forbidden by law to collect data
on race, sexual preferences, religious beliefs,...) : see laïcité |
- What are the most important religious
observances and ceremonies ? How regularly do people participate
in them ?
|
Less than
10% attend mass and France is much
less religious than the USA |
- How do members of the predominant religion
feel about other religions?
|
In itself,
this emphasis on religion is very American and un-French ...
See religion and an illustration. |
- What are the most common forms of marriage
ceremonies and celebrations ?
|
See marriage |
- What is the attitude toward divorce
? extra-marital relations ? plural marriage ?
|
One out
of three French couples divorces |
- What is the attitude toward gambling
?
|
Casinos
are allowed only in spa resorts |
- What is the attitude toward drinking
?
|
Very favourable
: see more |
- Is the price asked for merchandise
fixed or are customers expected to bargain ? How is the bargaining
conducted ?
|
No bargain
(in general) |
- If, as a customer, you touch or handle
merchandise for sale, will the storekeeper think you are knowledgeable,
inconsiderate, within your rights, completely outside your rights,
other ?
|
In France,
the shopkeeper is ALWAYS obnoxious... |
- How do people organize their daily
activities ? What is the normal meal schedule ? Is there a daytime
rest period ? What is the customary time for visiting friends
?
|
Read French Toast... |
- What foods are most popular and how
are they prepared
|
Read French Fried... |
- What things are taboo in this society
?
|
It is not
a taboo but it is considered rude to talk about money |
- What is the usual dress for women ?
for men ? Are slacks or shorts worn ? If so, on what occasions
? Do teenagers wear jeans ?
|
Read about
the French woman |
- Do hairdressers use techniques similar
to those used by hairdressers in the USA ? How much time do you
need to allow for an appointment at the hairdresser ?
|
Some hair salons
don't require appointments ; in the most well-known, you need
to reserve at least a week ahead |
- What are the special privileges of
age and/or sex ?
|
You can
tell a woman
she is pretty without being sued for sexual harassment. In 2001,
in a press conference, a journalist started his question to Minister
of Justice Elisabeth Guigou by "First of all, before I ask
my question, can I tell you that you are very beautiful".
He was right and she was genuinely pleased.... (and she is a
very tough politician) |
- At what time is it adequate to come when
you are invited ?
|
15 minutes
late : see more |
- On what occasion, would you present
(or accept) gifts from people in the country ? What kind of gifts
would you exchange ?
|
In France,
people tend to make much more expensive gifts : see more |
- Do some flowers have a particular significance
?
|
Yes : Chrysanthemum
(=death) and carnation (=cuckold) |
- How do people greet one another ? shake
hands ? embrace or kiss ? How do they leave one another ? What
does any variation from the usual greeting of leave-taking signify
?
|
Shake hands
and if they know each other, kiss ("bise"), see body language |
- If you are invited to a cocktail party,
would you expect to find among the guests : foreign business
people ? men only ? men and women ? local busines people ? local
politicians ? national politicians ? politician's spouses ? teachers
or professors ? bankers ? doctors ? lawyers ? intellectuals such
as writers, composers, poets, philosophers, religious clerics
? members of the host's family ? including in-laws ? movie stars
? ambassadors or consular officials from other countries ?
|
Depends
on who is inviting you |
- What are the important holidays ? How
is each observed ?
|
A basic
concept in France : see more |
- What are the favorite leisure and recreational
activities of adults ? teenagers ?
|
See French culture |
- What sports are popular ?
|
Football
(i.e. what the US calls soccer), hunting, judo, tennis, pétanque
(a bowling game with iron balls), rugby, etc... See sport in France |
- What kind of television programs are
shown ? What social purposes do they serve ?
|
Read about
the French "exception
culturelle" |
- What is the normal work schedule ?
How does it accommodate environmental or other conditions ?
|
Working
habits are are rather different : see more |
- How will your financial position and
living conditions compare with those of the majority of the people
living in this country ?
|
|
- What games do children play ? Where
do children congregate ?
|
|
- How are children disciplined at home
?
|
Read
about raising children
in France |
- Are children usually present at social
occasions ? at ceremonial occasions ? If they are not present,
how are they cared for in the absence of their parents ?
|
American
visitors are always surprised to see how well French children
behave at long dinner
parties... |
- How does this society observe children's
"coming of age" ?
|
|
- What kind of local public transportation
is available ? Do all classes of people use it ?
|
Metro, bus,
tramways, TGV (fast trains) ; efficient and rapid transportation
for all |
- Who has the right of way in traffic
: vehicles, animals, pedestrian ?
|
Theoretically
: pedestrians, practically : vehicles behaving (generally) like
wild animals ; see more |
- Is military training compulsory ?
|
No (since
2001) |
- Are the largest circulation newspapers
generally friendly in their attitude toward the US ?
|
See Anti-American |
- What is the history of the relationships
between this country and the US ?
|
See American
landmarks
in Paris and a list of major Franco-US
squabbles |
- How many people have emigrated from
this country to the US ? Other countries ? How many are doing
so at present ?
|
Very few
French have emigrated to the US, where the French community is
much smaller than other communities ; maybe this is why French-bashing
is easier ? |
- Are there many American expatriates
living in this country ?
|
The generally
acknowledged figure is 195,000 : see more
about the US community |
- What kinds of options do foreigners
have in chosing a place to live ?
|
In Paris
: depends on the lifestyle
you wish : American (Western suburbs) or French (city center) |
- What kind of health services are available
? Where are they located ?
|
Good health
service and house calls : see more |
- What are the common home remedies for
minor ailments ? Where can medecine be purchased ?
|
See health section ; for minor ailments,
red wine, available everywhere any time |
- Is education free ? compulsory ?
|
Education
is free and compulsory till age 16 : see more |
- In schools, are children segregated
by race ? by caste ? or class ? by sex ?
|
The French
strongly oppose communautarism |
- What kind of schools are considered
best : public, private, parochial ?
|
See Education |
- In school, how important is learning
by rote ?
|
Very uncommon
in France... |
- How are children disciplined in school
?
|
|
- Where are the important universities
of the country ? If university education is sought abroad, to
what countries and universities do students go ?
|
Read about
grandes écoles |
