Cultural Differences Between France & The U.S.

Video Transcript

Bonjour, my name is Stéphanie, with Expert Village, and today we will be learning to speak French. Here are a few tips to make your trip a little bit easier. In France we use the 24-hour clock. So for example, the post office is going to be open from 9 to 12, and then they are going to close, if you're in a little town, and they are going to reopen at 14, which is 2pm. And they will be open until 17, which is 5pm. And that is true for every business, every schedule for trains, planes, buses, movies...everything is on the 24-hour clock.

Another little trick to plan your trip. In France, we first give the day, then the month, then the year. So, if today is June the 21st, 2006, it would be: 21/06/06. Remember, for your birthday, to flip-flop the month and the day.

Also, if you are meeting someone, if someone introduces you, you are going to say, "This is Mrs. Blah Blah Blah." But then, when you address that person, you will say: "Miss"; "Sir." We do not use the title and the last name. We always say: "Monsieur"; "Madame." If you want to use a title, you can use "Doctor," no last name. And never, ever, a title with the first name.

When you are eating at the table, both of your hands must be on the table. None of that (puts hands in lap). And, while we are eating, if you have bread, the bread goes on the table, not on your plate. If you are a little bit thirsty, and you're very hot, you will have to ask for a lot of ice. In France, in the soda, you will have one ice cube, two if it's hot. That is all. Free refills are very, very unusual.

If you meet someone, and they tell you "Oh, come over," you will have to come over. I have noticed that in the U.S. people tell you "Yes, come by." And then little old me rings the doorbell, and I see that big surprised face...because an invitation is not always an invitation. In France, if you are invited for a drink, or for dinner, you are really invited. If you are invited for dinner, bring some fresh flowers, maybe. That would be nice.

If you are driving around, there are no right turns on red; red means stop. Now be careful you stop by the light, not on the other side of the intersection.

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