Luxurious hair 

Religion of France briefly. Religion of France. Decline and Resurgence of Protestantism

It's no secret that France is considered to be one of the "classic countries of etiquette". The term etiquette is indeed of French origin, but this country cannot be called its homeland. If we turn to the history of European countries, we can find that even in many of them, including France, ignorance, rudeness of morals, the rule of brute force and violence prevailed in society. Etiquette at that time in the modern sense of the word was out of the question. In addition, for many centuries the country was involved in numerous civil strife (at the moment we can talk about both the Fronde and the revolution of 1789), when his military merits were considered the main thing. However, today we are talking about France as a country with a unique way of life and style, which is reflected in all spheres of human life.

Currently, etiquette is an integral part of cultural life. According to him, one of the most important personality traits is the ability to show individuality and demonstrate indifference to the opinions of others. The culture of France has given rise to a nation that is very liberated in communication, famous for its grace and ease of manners, one of the main life priorities of which is considered free-thinking. A real Frenchman is not guided in his life by instructions, formalities and patterns of behavior of other people.

The French are very emotional and temperamental, and therefore the etiquette of the country allows them to express their emotions and thoughts not only in words, but also through gestures and facial expressions. The traditional sign of greeting in the country is a friendly kiss on the cheek and a handshake. The etiquette and culture of France also allow patting the interlocutor on the shoulder during a conversation. As you know, each person has an intimate zone of communication - the distance at which it is comfortable for him to be when communicating with strangers. If in Russia this zone is limited to the distance of an outstretched arm, then the culture of France allows you to come much closer during a conversation. At the same time, French etiquette does not accept familiarity, which is considered bad form in the country. The French, as a rule, do not talk about their inner experiences and feelings to unfamiliar people, especially foreigners.

The ability to speak correctly and beautifully in the country is given special importance, this is taught, as a rule, from an early age. The French are fluent in the art of eloquence, are excellent psychologists and do not tolerate irony in their address. It is not customary in the country to address strangers by their first names. Usually, for such purposes, the impersonal addresses "monsieur", "madame", "mademoiselle" are used. Calling an unfamiliar person by name should only be done if he himself asks for it. When greeting or saying goodbye, you should also add an impersonal address to the end of the phrase.

As you know, France belongs to a number of countries with the highest standard of living of the population, this is primarily due to its economic and political position in the world. France also has a certain etiquette and is characterized by a high interest of ordinary citizens in the country. Most of its inhabitants treat the history of their country, the language of their people with love, and have an active life position.

Any country follows the path of development, people's views, their worldview change over time, which means that the etiquette and culture of France in the 20th century, of course, differ significantly from the cultural traditions of earlier centuries. However, even today, many foreigners associate the culture of France, first of all, with friendliness, gallantry, grace, and high etiquette.

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Books

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  • The historical tradition of France, Gordon A. History and geography, culture and religion of France in the understanding of national historiography. In the center of the study is the historical self-consciousness of the nation in its dynamics from the legendary past to ...

The working day in France lasts from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 15:00 to 18:30. The French usually dine at home.

Business negotiations, as a rule, begin at 11:00. At 12:30, negotiators can be offered a traditional breakfast with an aperitif (a drink to awaken the appetite, usually alcohol). Discussions over meals are widely practiced. A business lunch can last one and a half to two hours, a business dinner can take the whole evening.

Raising a glass, they say: "To your health." Long intricate toasts are not accepted. The bill in restaurants, as a rule, is paid by the inviting person. Tipping is customary in the cloakroom.

At the first meeting, gifts are not given to a business partner. Souvenirs are acceptable, such as art albums, classical music cassettes, anything refined and culturally relevant.

When greeting, handshakes are very important. The French handshake has many shades: it can be cold, hot, casual, condescending, friendly. In France people like to flash a word, silence is not appreciated here. The conversation is carried on energetically, the speed of speech in France is one of the highest in the world. The conversation is conducted at close range.

The sign, when the thumbs and forefingers are connected in a ring, does not mean “ok”, as in America, but “zero”.

Do not rush to take the bull by the horns in France: it is customary to talk about business only after coffee is served. The most suitable topics for a table conversation: performances, books, exhibitions, cities. You should beware of touching on slippery issues: religion, personal problems, income, expenses, illness, marital status, political affiliations.

Education is very important in France, so if you graduated from an educational institution with a good reputation, put its name on your business card.

Rejoice if you were invited to the house for a family dinner - this is a great honor.

A subtle detail of French punctuality: you should arrive for dinner a quarter of an hour later than the appointed time. There is also a geographical and administrative dependence of punctuality: the more south the area, the less punctual the French are; the higher the rank of the invitee, the later he comes to the reception.

You should bring gifts with you. Flowers are always appropriate, but not white, not carnations (it is believed that they bring misfortune) and not chrysanthemums, which in France are a symbol of sorrow. The French consider smart packaging to be an important part of the bouquet, so before handing flowers, you should not free them from various ribbons and paper lace, which French flower growers are so generous with. As a gift, it is not superfluous to bring a bottle of champagne or wine of an expensive brand, a box of chocolates.

For the French, cuisine is an art form, a matter of national pride. Any enthusiastic comments about the quality of food and drinks on the table are welcome. Do not leave food on the plate, add salt or use spices.

Alcoholic drinks are indispensable companions of the French feast. The process of thoughtful consumption involves a glass of aperitif (port wine, anise liqueur or whiskey and soda). Salted nuts, special biscuits, small sandwiches with cheese or ham are served with an aperitif. During dinner - three - four - glasses of wine (white is served with fish and seafood, red is suitable for meat and cheeses). After dessert or coffee - a glass of digestif (fruit vodka, strong liquor, cognac).

In France, it is not customary to address interlocutors by name, unless they themselves offer it to you. Usually used the appeal "monsieur" - in relation to men, "madame" and "mademoiselle" - in relation to women. When meeting, you must give your business card. If more than one person is present at the meeting, the business card is given to the higher-ranking person.

A bit about French business

Before starting to establish business relations with French firms, it is necessary to clearly articulate the goals of these relations.

Find out as much as possible about the companies you are interested in, send them a set of advertising literature and catalogs on the products or services of your company, as well as the conditions under which you are ready to supply it. All this must be strictly in French, because. the French react painfully to the preference for English or German in business communication with them, believing that this infringes on their sense of national dignity.

You should remember that connections and acquaintances play an important role in the business life of France. Therefore, usually new contacts are established through intermediaries who are connected by friendly or family relations with the person you need. Whether you like it or not, the fact remains: the elite of the business world is limited here, new unknown people are not allowed into the proven circle.

If you do not have direct access to responsible leaders and you have to negotiate at a lower level, you should be patient and wait until your proposal reaches the appropriate management level. It is there that the solution will be worked out, because. in France, decisions are made by a limited number of people with high social status.

French businessmen try to avoid financial transactions that seem risky to them. They do not immediately allow themselves to be convinced of the expediency of the proposal made. So get ready to reasonedly and comprehensively discuss every detail of the upcoming deal.

Sometimes during a conversation, French entrepreneurs interrupt their interlocutor, expressing critical remarks. This should not be taken as a sign of disrespect, as it is accepted everywhere in this country. However, part with the idea of ​​solving the matter quickly, prepare well for negotiations, delve into everything to the smallest detail. So you will not let yourself be confused and prove yourself as a solid partner.

When concluding contracts with large enterprises, the main attention should be paid to the technical characteristics and durability of the goods offered.

France has long been famous as a country of refined and refined manners, elegance and a special skill, or rather, the art of living.

The rules of French etiquette have many nuances that are sometimes difficult for an uninitiated person to grasp. After all, the traditions of another country can, at times, cause misunderstanding and inability to quickly adapt to the situation.

We offer you a short guide on how it is done in France, where the feast is part of the culture. It will tell you how to behave in order to avoid possible oddities visiting the French.

Rule #1: Be on time

The French are very sensitive to the issue of being late, despite the fact that they themselves often sin with them. Remember - if you are invited to visit France, the paradoxical rule that it is indecent to come to the feast on time does not apply here. The hostess of the house will never allow herself, at the hour appointed for the arrival of guests, to run around the apartment in a dressing gown and curlers, finishing the Russian olive. If the time is indicated to you, it means that by this time the champagne is chilled, and the oysters are open, and by this time they are waiting for you! A delay of 10-15 minutes is considered decent, nothing more.

Rule #2: Greetings

When greeting, do not forget to add Madame, Monsieur or, if the status of your relationship allows it, the name of the person you are addressing. A typical mistake that our compatriots make, sincerely wanting to do something nice, is adding the name of the interlocutor to the address. Just as we do not say: "Madam Natalia", so the phrase: "Madame Natalie" for the French ear will sound at least strange.

Be prepared for the fact that in France it is customary to kiss with close acquaintances, but this is not a kiss in our understanding, but just a light touch of the cheek on the cheek. This tradition has been around for many years, and you should not try to change it. A sign of whether the guests will exchange kisses with each other or confine themselves to a handshake is usually given by the hosts by personal example.

Rule #3: About ladies and dresses

The dress code plays a big role in French etiquette. In France, they will never wear a business suit for a formal meal or an evening long dress for a business dinner. The French are convinced that it is better to refrain from overly sexy, open or extravagant dressing if you are not sure about the status of the event, because only a woman dressed “out of place” can be worse than a poorly dressed woman. Another unspoken, but very important rule: you should not dress more luxuriously than the mistress of the house.
The hosts will inform you in advance about the nature of the feast, as well as what kind of audience will attend it, and the invitation usually indicates what dress code is expected. Therefore, it will be easy for you to navigate.

Rule number 4: About gentlemen and gallantry

There is no place for feminism in "table" matters, especially among the French! Men in such situations should remain men: fill your glass, move your chair, give you a hand - their knightly duty, but you are a true lady who graciously allows you to take care of yourself and smiles sweetly. Believe me, this is not a conservative "naphthalene", but an etiquette that is followed all over the world.

Rule number 5: About shoes: to be or not to be, to take off your shoes or not?

The question is by no means idle, but truly akin to Hamlet's. Very often, Russian guests sin with the "Soviet rules of etiquette." Do not ask the owners of the house for slippers, assuring them that you have an absolute absence of fungal diseases. You will not be understood. Imagine how ridiculous you will look in a beautiful dress and slippers borrowed from the hostess, and your spouse in a suit, tie and socks because there were no slippers of his size 46. Leave the care of the cleanliness of the floor to the mistress of the house: in France it is customary to wear shoes at home - this is not Japan.

Rule #6: At the table

In France, you will not see a table set like in Russia: all kinds of salads, cuts of meat, fish, cheese, and then the first, second and compote. You will not be put on the table all types of alcohol at the same time.

Before you are invited to the table, you will be offered an aperitif of your choice: Champagne, whiskey, wine or soft drink. The hostess of the house will also take an interest in your taste preferences in advance in order to avoid embarrassment (religion, allergies, etc.).

Seating guests

Another important point that often confuses our compatriots is that you will be invited to the table and the hosts will tell you where and with whom you will sit. Often couples are seated so that newcomers to the campaign also have the opportunity to communicate, and gentlemen should alternate with ladies. The gentleman takes care of the lady throughout the evening. Don't be scared, this is not a swingers club and adultery will not follow.

Cutlery

In fact, there is nothing intimidating about the amount of cutlery that will be waiting for you on the table. Dishes will be served to you in the order provided by the hostess. Therefore, a hint: the first dish that you are offered to taste, you can safely eat with appliances lying on the farthest edge from the plate (knife on the right, fork on the left). A knife and fork will also be taken along with the used plate. To taste a new dish, you take the next fork and knife according to the same principle.

  1. hot plate
  2. snack plate
  3. Bread plate
  4. snack fork
  5. fish fork
  6. Table fork
  7. Table-knife
  8. fish knife
  9. snack knife
  10. Tablespoon
  11. butter knife
  12. Dessert spoon
  13. dessert fork
  14. Water glass
  15. White wine glass
  16. Red wine glass

Glasses and drinks

You may also be frightened by the number of wine glasses, but do not worry - this is the concern of the owners of the house. For dinner, they can choose one drink, then everything is simple: the host will pour it into the right glasses for you, depending on whether it will be Burgundy wine, Bordeaux or just water. If the wines change during the course of the dinner depending on the dishes served, you will be offered either to finish the rest in your glass before filling it with wine of a different variety, or they will give you a new clean one. Please, do not resist that they say it will do, they say, I'm not pretentious. This can offend the hosts: the French carefully choose wine for each dish, there are no accidents here, and you, as a true connoisseur, should feel the bouquet of wine. And even if you are still a “beginner oenologist”, anyway, please your hosts and admire the excellent selection of drinks.

Rule #7: Table Talk

The hardest thing, you say? Yes and no. There is one very simple rule: to talk only about what is pleasant to the neighbors on the table. Weather and sports are a win-win option for good etiquette, which has helped more than one celebration. You should not talk about illness, death, physiology, tell the hostess how you prepare treats, and especially talk about people who are not present at the table. And do not forget - if you were asked a question, even a personal one, they do not expect a forty-minute confession from you!

Rule #8: Time doesn't wait

Dessert in France is served on its own, without tea and coffee. Before dessert, you may be offered a cheese plate. Hot drinks are offered a little later, and then a digestif is served: Calvados, cognac, armagnac, they offer to drink a glass, so that everything eaten subsides as it should. And this is the first bell to the fact that it would be time and honor to know.

That, in fact, is all. Enjoy your tasting - French rules of etiquette do not recommend wishing you a pleasant appetite, considering it not subtle enough - and no less pleasant communication!

French etiquette is a national treasure. For all their looseness and free-thinking, when the question of manners arises, the French and French women zealously and carefully observe the norms and act “as expected”. Restrictions like “no smoking” or “no parking” may be brushed aside, but the rules of etiquette are absorbed with mother’s milk and instilled from childhood.

France has historically established itself as a trendsetter of secular manners. Louis XIV is considered the inventor of etiquette. With the royal person it is proper to behave respectfully, and in order to avoid incidents, His Majesty established a special courtesy at court. The courtiers used special cue cards (étiquette) according to the rules of courtesy for any situation.

So in France, the concept and term "etiquette" (étiquette) was born - the norms of behavior. Most of the words in Russian related to good manners have French roots. "Gallance", for example, comes from the French "galant" and means refined courtesy and extreme courtesy.

Here they are greeted by clothes

To meet by clothes means to immediately evaluate a person by his neatness, elegance, presence or absence of taste and style. The French pay special attention to appearance. It is extremely important for them to make a good impression and not lose face during a business meeting, at a social event, on a date or at a party.

The norms of etiquette prescribe to follow the dress code in clothes. It should be, at a minimum, neat and ironed. It comes with matching shoes and hair. If you complement the image with accessories, watches, an umbrella, a scarf, a hat, it becomes clear that the person was preparing thoroughly for the exit. The outfit should be stylish and elegant and appropriate for the occasion.

It is considered indecent for a woman to correct her hair or makeup in front of people, and a self-respecting man will not go anywhere without a jacket. The French are real pros in matters of fashion and style. They, like no one else, know how to express their individuality in clothes.

Communication in France

greetings

When communicating with the French, it is reasonable to familiarize yourself with the rules of speech etiquette in France.

  • In French, there is no difference between business and everyday etiquette for the address "Mr./Madam". The address "madame" and "monsieur" is used everywhere. The name is not added, otherwise it will be perceived as odd. Only when a third person is mentioned in a conversation, is Monsieur / Madame necessarily added to his name.
  • In shops, bars, restaurants, banks and other establishments, it is customary to say hello when you enter, and to say goodbye gallantly when you leave. In a conversation, the French necessarily accompany their speech with courtesies.
  • Men at a meeting greet each other with a handshake. It is considered bad manners to squeeze the hand too tightly. The company must shake hands with everyone, and even more important not to shake someone's hand twice. Otherwise, you get a real "perdimonocle".
  • A separate topic in France is kissing. The custom of kissing at a meeting has been preserved since the French Revolution as a sign of erasing differences between layers of society. Now pecks on the cheek have become a common way to greet people you know well. They are done symbolically by a light touch of cheek to cheek, first to the left, then to the right, and God forbid otherwise! An important point is the number of "kisses". If you do not bring the matter to the end, you can be considered an ignoramus. In Paris, it is customary to do this twice, in the surrounding area - four times, and in Savoie, Vaucluse, Aveyron three times. In case of doubt, it is better to give the initiative to the owners, then everyone will be satisfied.

Don't be familiar

Even with close communication, French etiquette provides for a number of conditions that must be observed so as not to be considered an ill-mannered person. One of them concerns the appeal to "you" and to "you". It is considered indecent to say “you” to someone or call someone by name without permission. Instead of a name, it is customary to say "madame" and "monsieur". In France, families are still preserved in which spouses call each other for “you” all their lives.

Some taboos are respected in French society by default. For example, do not ask the interlocutor about his personal life and income. Otherwise, there is a big risk of spoiling the relationship.

Small talk is a well-honed skill of talking about nothing. The most convenient topics are weather and sports. The French are very emotional interlocutors and do not hesitate to interrupt each other. This is not considered bad manners. They are also able to listen to the interlocutor to the end. And yet, the question posed should not be given a lengthy detailed answer, because this is already bad form.

Love for mother tongue

Despite the fact that almost all young people in France speak English quite well, they basically speak French. The French love their language, and if you want to make friends, speak French. They have a very developed national pride, so everything French is held in high esteem here. For example, at one time a law was passed to limit the number of foreign songs in radio broadcasts. The law is no longer in force, but the French are happy to listen to their native stage and a little despise everything foreign.

Family

The French hold family in high esteem. This is expressed in the fact that relatives settle in the neighborhood in order to be able to communicate more often. On Sundays they gather for family dinners where all generations are present. This wonderful tradition makes it possible to keep close contact with relatives and keep abreast of all family events.

Lunch in France usually takes place after 19.00. It is accompanied by a lively interesting conversation on a variety of topics, from the discussion of national cuisine to culture and art. At the table it is not customary to say toasts and clink glasses. And yes, if you are invited to visit, you can walk around the house in shoes.

In France, a pragmatic approach to keeping pets has taken root. It is not customary to keep pets here for your own pleasure. Pets, according to the French, should be useful or serve some purpose. For example, dogs are bred for protection or for prestige.

Features of French cuisine

French cuisine is varied and refined. Each region, and even each restaurant has its own unique culinary masterpieces. In the south of the country they prefer spicy dishes richly seasoned with garlic and onions. In coastal areas in the first place. And the inhabitants of the northern regions bordering Germany eat in a burgher manner and love pork and cabbage.

  • Regardless of the region, an abundance of vegetables and herbs is a hallmark of the French feast. They are served both separately and as part of dishes. For example, French housewives boil whole bunches of herbs in soup, which they then take out. elegantly decorated dishes - a real art, brought to perfection in France.
  • Here it is not customary to immediately set a rich table, as is done in Russia. First, an aperitif of the choice of the guest is served in combination with cold appetizers. This is a good opportunity to get to know each other or just start a conversation. When the company at the table has already become accustomed, the rest of the dishes are taken out sequentially: first the first, then the second and dessert. After the second course, cheese slices are usually served.
  • Cheese craftsmanship is the great national achievement of France. More than 300 different types of cheese are produced here. It is customary to drink cheese with wine, which the French have learned to make unsurpassed and are very proud of this product.
  • France is the world's leading producer. The French never abuse alcohol. Although at the same time, children can taste wine with adults, and this is an important part of the food culture in the country. The French from an early age learn the rules of etiquette, serving dishes and combining products.

Smoking in France

France has been actively involved in the fight against smoking since the beginning of the 21st century. The rules of conduct in France mandate restrictions on smoking. At first it was allowed to smoke in cafes and restaurants, gambling establishments and hotels. But after studying the statistics of the effects of smoking, the French government took decisive action to protect the health of citizens and introduced a ban on smoking in all public places.

This worried the owners of restaurants and cafes, as it could affect the flow of visitors. But they began to equip open terraces with tables at the entrance, and street cafes are now part of the French flavor. Both a tourist and a local resident can safely smoke on the street with a cup of coffee, without annoying other visitors.

Business etiquette in France

French business is built on personal connections, and agreements are made at business breakfasts, lunches and receptions. Therefore, doing business in France is quite difficult. To win the favor of the French, it is better not to conduct serious negotiations in French yourself. Of course, it will not be superfluous to learn some elementary French phrases and words, or even master the basic basics of the language, emphasizing the correct pronunciation. The French do not like it when their native language is distorted. But for especially important conversations, you should use the services of an interpreter.

French business etiquette values ​​specificity, logic and persuasive arguments. The French do not like to bargain and rush things. You can "bribe" French partners with an interest in the country's culture, history and language. Then they become more open and willing to communicate. It is considered bad form to start negotiations without any preface. Conversations on a neutral topic allow you to tune in the right way, get to know the interlocutor better, create a mood and then smoothly move on to the main issue.

Appointments must be made in advance and arrive on time. The French will consider being late as bad manners, and then it will be very difficult to restore your reputation.

You can endlessly study the culture of the country, the mentality and habits of its inhabitants. The more you know it, the stronger the desire to go there and feel its spirit.