The French add "mais" at the beginning of sentences.
So, you've just arrived in France and you often hear sentences starting with "Mais". Like, "Mais, tu comprends..." or "Mais, ce n'est pas possible !".
It's strange! Because the "mais" in these sentences is not necessary at all!
It's a way for the French to emphasize their point of view right from the start of the sentence. It gives a passionate, almost dramatic tone to their conversations. It’s often used when there is a strong emotion behind it.
The French eat very strange things.
You already knew that the French eat things that you find very strange: snails, frogs, foie gras... But that's not all! Sensitive souls, beware. The French also eat: calf's head, tripe, brain, beef tongue, and more.
It's not shocking to see these things on restaurant menus. I hope you have a strong stomach.
The French criticize their country, but hate when someone else criticizes France.
Ah, the French and their love-hate relationship with their country. They love to criticize France, whether it's the strikes, the taxes, the weather, or especially politics.
But be careful, if you, a foreigner, dare to criticize their country, they become very patriotic immediately!
For example, in November 2023, there was a wave of strikes in France, particularly in public transport. The French were constantly complaining about train delays and cancellations. In a TV report, a French journalist interviewed passengers. A French woman said: "It's really unbearable, we can't rely on trains in France anymore!"
A British tourist, interviewed right after, added: "Yes, it's really chaotic, trains are never on time here." Immediately, the French woman intervened, saying: "Yes, but you know, strikes are an important right in France, and our infrastructure is among the best in Europe."
This exchange perfectly illustrates how the French can criticize their own system but can't stand foreigners doing the same.
The French include "vache" in their vocabulary.
Expressions with "cow" are common like "Vachement" which means "really" or "a lot". There is also the expression "Oh la vache" to express surprise or disbelief.
The French often arrive 15 minutes late.
The French are known for being late, about 15 minutes on average. It's almost a cultural norm, especially for social events. It's called "le quart d'heure de politesse" (the quarter-hour of politeness).
So, it's common to arrive 15 minutes late for dinners at friends' houses. But for a professional appointment, you have to be on time. Even if, it's true, there are often delays in professional appointments as well.
The French are obsessed with excrement... in their language.
You may have noticed the countless expressions related to excrement in French: merde, chiant, faire chier, merdique, emmerder, etc.
Expressions related to excrement in French are the result of a combination of historical, cultural, emotional, and linguistic factors. They reflect a direct and expressive way of communicating emotions and everyday situations.
The French dip their bread or croissant in their coffee.
Have you ever witnessed this? A French person dipping their toast or croissant in their coffee.
I can't explain why we do this, but we do. Well, personally, I don't, but many French people do.
Tell me in the comments if you've ever tried dipping your bread or croissant in your coffee?
The French hate their current politicians but admire the former ones.
The French are often very critical of their current politicians, but paradoxically, they often admire the former ones. It’s a feeling of nostalgia for bygone eras.
The French have a complex relationship with their political leaders, and François Hollande is a perfect example. During his presidential term from 2012 to 2017, Hollande was often the target of harsh criticism from the public and the media. The French blamed him for his lack of charisma, his economic decisions, and his difficulties in reducing unemployment, which led to a constant decline in his popularity.
However, after the end of his term, public opinion began to show more leniency and sometimes even nostalgia towards him. This phenomenon is not unique to Hollande; it is common in France for former presidents to be better perceived after their term.
The French spend hours at the table.
Mealtime in France is sacred. Meals can last for hours, especially Sunday lunches with family. We eat, we chat, we take our time.
One Sunday, you’re invited at noon. Three/four hours later, you’re still at the table, savoring cheese, discussing everything and nothing, and you realize that time flies differently here.
The French buy a baguette and eat half of it on the way home.
The French love their baguette. It's so tempting that often, they eat half of it before even getting home. The fresh smell of the baguette, the warmth emanating... irresistible!
You walk out of the bakery with your baguette and before you even realize it, you've already taken a good bite. Often, we eat the heel, which is the end of the bread.
The French are negative even when talking about positive things.
They have this unique way of being negative even when talking about positive things. For example, you ask a French person "How are you?" and they answer "Not bad". Huh, does that mean "yes" or "no"?
It means "yes", but it’s a small "yes". It wouldn't be French to be too positive.
It's typically French to talk about a positive thing in a negative way. It’s that very French grumbling side.
The French pick up their dog’s poop only if someone is watching.
Finally, a little French quirk: they only pick up dog poop if someone is watching. It's like a tacit rule of conditional politeness.
You see someone with their dog. If no one is around, they quickly walk away after the little gift left by their dog. But if someone is watching, they take out the bag with an air of a model citizen.
Oh la la, the French!
