- 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
?
|
Gambling is common but 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 ?
|
It is important for Americans to realize that in a country where taxes are very high but education and health are almost free, wher you can but you do have to save for your pension, salaries are much lower than in the US for professionals. On the other hand, less people are VERY poor. |
- 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 |