Travel Tips: Paris Manners

I recently stumbled upon this blog post on Paris Through My Lens where she shared a funny story about seeing a sign at a cafe that advertised “a coffee” for 2 Euro and “a coffee, please” for 1.80 Euro.  That is SO very French, and I would even venture to say that adding a “Bonjour” would probably lower the price even further!

Bonjour, au revoir, merci, and s’il vous plait are four very very important terms for anyone coming to France.  The French are very well-mannered people, and they find it quite rude and insulting for someone to initiate a conversation without saying “Bonjour” first, and to ask for something without adding “s’il vous plait” at the end.  I have seen otherwise warm, kind, and helpful shop owners turn cold and unaccommodating when unknowing Americans walk into their shop and just start grabbing at things without the requisite “Bonjour” first.  And I must admit I have indeed seen shop owners charge different prices for the same item based on the politeness and etiquette of the customer.

For many French people, their restaurant or shop is considered an extension of their home, and it should be treated with the same respect.  You wouldn’t walk into someone’s home without saying “Hello” first, so you have to use the same courtesy when entering someone’s business establishment.  Here are some good terms to commit to memory:

Bonjour – “bohn-zhure” – Hello (daytime)

Bonsoir – “bohn-swah” – Hello (late afternoon or nighttime)

Au revior – “ah-vwah” – Goodbye

S’il vous plaît – “see voo play” – Please

Merci – “mehr see” – Thank you

If you’re like me and your French mysteriously disappears when confronted with a French stranger, remember that it is better to say “Hello/goodbye/please/thank you” in English than to not say anything at all.  Most French do understand at least that much English, and they will appreciate the manners regardless of the language.  You may find that this small token of respect will result in better service, better prices, and a better trip!