France does not necessarily have the best reputation with travelers. Derided as haughty and rude, the French are sometimes considered the worst part of a France vacation. The truth is, the French can be just as amazing and wonderful as any other nationality. Within a small country overrun with tourists, the French do not tolerate much from foreigners, and thats how they earned their bad reputation.
Its best to know the traditions and customs of France before you jet off on your France vacation in order to have the most rewarding trip possible. Knowing the do’s and don’ts will not only let you have a smooth trip, it will let you in to the heart of the residents of this magnificent country.
The first rule for your France vacation is to have an understanding of the language. While you don’t have to master the language, knowing how to say basic things and making an effort to communicate in the native tongue of the residents is a good thing when traveling in any country. In France, its a must. While many French know how to speak English, they consider it insulting when they are expected to speak English in their own country. Trying to speak French, even if it is rusty or imperfect, will be considered a sign of respect and intelligence and you will be treated accordingly.
Know the basic everyday courtesies, and use them when interacting with the French. One of those courtesies is following dress codes. The French tend to err on the side of fashion. Unless you are planning a jog, leave your sneakers at home. Try to strike a balance between comfort on your long days of sightseeing and dressing decently. Avoid shorts if possible unless you are at the beach, and favor blouses and slacks over t-shirts and jeans.
Finally, be polite even when others are being rude. In a city like Paris, where the tourists overwhelm the city every summer, the locals have one bad experience and group all tourists together. Help them break their minds out of negative stereotypes and give a new impression of your country and tourists in general. One of the goals of tourism is to learn about a new place, be exposed to new ideas and to break away from the everyday routine of life. Make your visit a positive experience in your life and the life of others.