4. Don’t Touch the Produce at le Marché
Strolling through a local fruit and vegetable market is one of the many simple pleasures awaiting you in France. Everything is so fresh, so appealing, so artfully displayed, perusing and purchasing produce can be a highlight of your trip. However, be forewarned that poking, prodding or picking up the goods is a big non-non here. There’s an unspoken hands-off policy at a French marché . Let the vendor pick up the produce for you, and just point if you want to select a specific item.
5. Don’t Eat the Salad Before Your Main Meal
In many countries, a salad is considered a light starter course before the main meal is served. Other times, it is served as a side dish to be eaten along with the big plate. In France, and much of Europe, a salad is considered a palate cleanser and digestion aide after the main course has been consumed and before the cheese or dessert has arrived.
6. Don’t Embrace Friends, Colleagues or Acquaintances
To kiss or not to kiss, that is the question when meeting people in France. It can be a cross-cultural minefield of greeting gaffes if you are too formal or too familiar with a person. In other countries, you might welcome someone with a full embrace, a light hug, a peck on the cheek, multiple cheek pecks, a fist bump, a high five or a firm handshake. In France, the customary greeting between friends is to kiss both cheeks – not necessarily sloppy wet ones, but an “mwaa-mwaa” air kiss just beside ought to do it. Even casual acquaintances and colleagues might greet each other this way, especially women. When in doubt, let the French take the lead on this one. There doesn’t seem to be any firm rules on left or right cheek first, so just follow suit. If they extend a hand, don’t go in for la bise and vice versa. An enveloping hug is mostly reserved for lovers and close family, so don’t bear hug the boss as a gesture of camaraderie. It might be misconstrued.
