9. Don’t Be a French Food Imbecile
Take the time to learn a bit about French cuisine before visiting France. Don’t be that dimwitted foreigner who orders the steak tartare well done, asks why the vichyssoise is cold or expects escalope to be seafood.
10. Don’t Forget to Greet the Shopkeeper
In some countries, it’s okay to just nod, smile or ignore the staff when you walk into a shop. If you need help, you’ll ask, and it’s not considered particularly rude if you don’t engage in friendly banter or a greeting. Things are a bit more formal and polite in France. When you walk in and out of a small boutique, bakery, pharmacy or shop, you should always acknowledge the clerk with a crisp bonjour – better yet, bonjour Madame or Monsieur. Mercis are always appreciated as well. Skipping this vital step will not win you good service, and may indeed be igniting that haughty attitude you’ll no doubt receive because of it.
