France

The French are among the most patriotic people in the world, which is illustrated by their attempts to limit the influence of other cultures in France. While French attitudes have traditionally been dominated by Paris, there seems to be a growing decentralization in administration as well as attitudes.

The French are reserved and polite. Political and social trends have caused the French to re-examine their national identity. Society debates issues related to the central government’s structure, education, immigration, economics, and even language.

A great part of the population, due to a precarious situation and often unemployment, often has difficulties making ends meet. However, in general, people have no problem putting food on the table and can experience leisure opportunities to a certain point (depending on their revenue).

It is also possible for people to send a child on for a higher level of education thanks to France's free education. The only things which hinder some people to go on to higher education are the cost of living, the necessity for students to work, and the fact that some private schools are expensive.

Wealth is defined as cash and ownership of goods (mostly the house). The poorest members of society hope for more financial security, as running water, electricity, and freedom from war are almost certainly guaranteed. They wish for ownership of a car (but this is most of the time the case), home ownership, and money to pay debts. In some suburbs, freedom from violence in one's neighborhood would certainly be very valuable.

When meeting someone you would shake hands. An aggressive handshake is considered impolite. However, between women and men, kissing on the cheek (but in fact more like a hug, as there is no contact of the mouth) is very frequent. It can also happen between men in some regions. But this is only between peers, and when non-peers meet, the higher class generally offers first to shake hands. Greetings are usually combined with the person’s name or a title and always precede any conversation or request. First names are used between friends and close colleagues; otherwise, titles are important and customary.

When meeting someone saying “Bonjour” (means, literally, good day), in general, is neutral. When someone is older or of higher social status, or in higher social classes, one can say “Bonjour Monsieur”. In lower social classes or between very good friends, rather “salut” (more colloquial). One may also say “Bonne soirée” at night time. “Bonne nuit” implies that the other person is about to go to bed.

Slapping the open palm over a closed fist is vulgar and should be avoided. It is improper to speak with the hands in the pockets or to chew gum in public.

When getting someone's attention you would wave a hand and call them by name.

The sign that is made with the index finger and the thumb in the form of a circle, which in other countries is a sign of approval or "okay", in France is equivalent to zero or that something has no value.

The French are generally formal when visiting and people do not often visit unannounced. Guests do not enter a home unless invited inside. A thank you note is often sent the day after one has been a dinner guest.

Going out with someone either to have a drink or to eat is generally seen as a good way to socialize. Going to the cinema is also a common way. Gathering to tell stories used to be the way, but it is less and less frequent. Most people would turn away someone who is not welcome, even if it is in some regions, such as Corsica, where hospitality has remained a great tradition. Someone would certainly not be turned out, even if one comes impromptu.

When visiting personal space should be not too close to the other person (about 1 meter when speaking with someone), but you can be closer with good friends. Eye contact is favored, it shows frankness. Physical contact is limited, but it can be more accentuated in the South of France. Generally limited to slaps in the back, shaking hands, kissing, and hugs. Hand placement is usually under the waist, in front of the body, always visible, and, in the South, with some gestures accompanying the words.

The French usually make an effort to dress well and fashionably. French fashions often influence how the rest of the world dresses. Professional attire tends to be formal in nature. Men wear pants, a shirt, a jacket, and a pullover... depending on the weather.

Women traditionally wear more skirts or dresses, but since WWII, most women wear pants. Otherwise, their garments are of the same style as men, except they are, in general, more feminine and more elegant.

France has followed Western fashions over the centuries. However, In some regions, such as Britanny, Alsace, and Provence, people do preserve traditional clothing, usually dating back to the 18th century, which is traditional peasant garments. But these are worn only on traditional occasions, and mostly for tourists.

The French cuisine is legend; cooking is considered an art. Regional traditions are strong. There are several types of cooking, ranging from hearty, inexpensive fare to sophisticated dishes with costly ingredients and complex sauces. Nouvelle cuisine, which emerged in the 1960's, was a reaction to this heavy style of cooking. It features lighter ingredients, smaller portions and an artistic presentation. Although resisted by the French, fast food is gaining in popularity and most kinds are available. French breads and patisserie are well-known abroad, for example croissants, and baguette.

Table manners are important. While at the table hands should remain above the table. Elbows should not be placed on the table. When eating out, the person who invites or makes the suggestion is the one who pays.

There are usually three meals a day, breakfast, supper and dinner. Often, children have a snack at 4 p.m. Breakfast is in the morning when people get up ; supper at noon or before 1 p.m. and dinner around 7 or 8 PM. Breakfast and dinner are usually eaten at home. Often, during work, children eat at school or at home depending on their parents, workers eat either at home or in a cafeteria (and so do their children), and people can eat out at noon with friends. Dinner out is generally associated with great occasions.

At mealtime usually, everyone has a seat to eat at the table. The whole family eats at the same time, together. The hands should be on the table, so that people can see what one does with his hands. Not showing one's hands is considered impolite as it is seen as concealing something from other people's view.

The French cuisine is legend; cooking is considered an art. Regional traditions are strong. There are several types of cooking, ranging from hearty, inexpensive fare to sophisticated dishes with costly ingredients and complex sauces. Nouvelle cuisine, which emerged in the 1960's, was a reaction to this heavy style of cooking. It features lighter ingredients, smaller portions and an artistic presentation. Although resisted by the French, fast food is gaining in popularity and most kinds are available. French breads and patisserie are well-known abroad, for example croissants, and baguette.

Most families are small, with only one or two children. Since a single income is not enough to live on in most cities, it is common for both husband and wife to work.  Most French people put a high priority on spending time with their families. On Sundays, it is expected that family members will get together for a meal. Although like people in all industrialized countries, the French find it increasingly difficult to find enough time for family activities, they value their leisure and usually spend time with their families on weekends and holidays. The average age for beginning to date is around 15. In France, social class, wealth, and level of education are important in the choice of a mate. Many couples chose to live together before getting married or as an alternative to formal marriage. Many couples choose not to have children.

Most French people live in medium-sized cities. Only Paris has a population of more than a million people. Although life in Paris is much like that in any large cosmopolitan city, regional and rural life is more traditional and distinctive and varies from one region to another.  Common-law relationships are becoming increasingly common in France. The government recognizes common-law couples, who are eligible for government benefits. The government subsidizes an extensive system of daycares, known as crèches.  In small cities, people may own their houses or apartments. In larger cities, people usually rent apartments. The suburbs of many towns have high-rise apartment complexes, some of `which offer reduced rent for low-income families. These are known as HLMs, which stands for Habitations à Loyer Modéré (housing at moderate rent). Villes Nouvelles, located outside larger cities are new residential communities that contain several types of housing.

Although today French women and men have equal rights in political and economic affairs, French women did not get the vote until 1945. Before 1964, when the Matrimonial Act was passed, women could not open a bank account or start a business without their husbands' permission.

Dating and marriage customs in France reflect a culture that values romance, intellectual connection, and personal freedom. French society tends to approach relationships with a certain degree of subtlety and restraint in the early stages — direct declarations of interest are less common than in some other cultures, and relationships often develop gradually through shared social outings, conversation, and mutual discovery.

The concept of the "date" as a formal, explicitly romantic outing is less rigidly defined in France than in countries like the United States. French couples frequently meet through mutual friends, at work, or in social settings such as cafés or cultural events. Physical affection, including kissing on the cheeks as a greeting (known as la bise), is a standard part of French social life and does not carry the same romantic implications it might elsewhere.

Marriage in France is a civil matter above all else. Legal marriages must be performed at a local town hall (mairie) by a civil officiant, regardless of whether a religious ceremony is also held. Religious ceremonies alone have no legal standing. France introduced civil partnerships, known as the PACS (Pacte Civil de Solidarité), in 1999, allowing couples — both same-sex and opposite-sex — to formalize their relationship with legal protections short of full marriage. The PACS has become enormously popular; in recent years, the number of PACS agreements signed annually has rivaled or even exceeded the number of civil marriages.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in France in May 2013 under the Taubira Law, named after the justice minister who championed the legislation.

The average age at first marriage has risen steadily in recent decades. As of the early 2020s, French men marry for the first time at an average age of around 34, while women marry at approximately 32. The marriage rate has declined over the decades, with many couples choosing to cohabit without formalizing their relationship. France has one of the higher birth rates in Western Europe, in part because the government provides substantial family support regardless of parents' marital status.

Children often play soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and handball, but soccer is predominant among boys. This is played in schoolyards, organized by the children themselves, or in sports clubs outside school. One of France's best-known sporting events is the Tour de France cycling race in July. The three-week, 3,630-kilometer race covers most of France and ends in the center of Paris. The race leader for each day of the event wears a yellow jersey (maillot jaune). Wearing the yellow jersey is considered a great honor.

Tennis originated in France in the 12th century. Originally, the players played with their hands and the game was called jeu de paume. Later they used gloves, then short bats, and finally racquets to hit the ball.

Pétanque or boules is a lawn bowling game played with hollow, metal balls the size of large oranges. Players roll the balls along the ground and try to land them close to a target ball. Pétanque can be played on any terrain, but is usually played on a sandy court.

In the Pays Basque in southwestern France, people play pelota, a fast-paced game a little like squash. Rugby is also very popular, especially in southern France.

In 1892, Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, rallied support for the revival of the Olympics. On June 23, 1894, in Paris, he founded the International Olympic Committee and established the structure of today's Olympic Games.

Children usually arise by 7:00 a.m. (School starts at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m.) After showering and dressing, they have a light breakfast, which typically consists of fruit juice, hot chocolate, or caf au lait (coffee with hot milk) to drink and yogurt, a soft roll, or a croissant with butter, jam, or a light pastry glaze. On special occasions, they might have a special treat from a bakery or pastry shop. France is famous for its baking and pastries!

Students often walk or ride public transportation, depending on the distance from the school and individual circumstances. Wealthier families may take their children to school, especially if they attend a private school. At the end of the school day, they return home the same way. Schools usually have about two hours for lunch, so some students will come home for lunch and then return for the afternoon session of school if their family gathers for a traditional midday meal.

French schools are usually not as well equipped with modern technology. They rarely have computers or televisions in the classrooms. Also, because schools don’t have lockers, older students load up their backpacks with their books for the day and just carry their heavy backpacks from room to room. Although class size varies from school to school, it usually ranges from 20 to 35 students. One interesting fact about the school system in France is that the schools are closed on Wednesday afternoons but open on Saturday mornings. School usually begins at 8:00 or 8:30 in the morning, and public schools are finished at 5:00 in the evening. Private schools finish at 4:00 or 4:30 because they have a shorter lunch period. When it comes to lunch, French public schools allow two hours for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Throughout France, the midday meal is traditionally the main family meal and consists of three and sometimes even four courses. Approximately half of the cost of lunch served at school is paid for by the government, and the student’s family must pay the remainder (the price is adjusted for lower-income families). Lunch is often the most expensive part of a student’s education in France.

French primary schools (also known as “écoles élémentaire”) cover the ages six to eleven with five courses studied, one for each year: CP – Cours Preparatoire CE1 – Cours Elementaire first year CE2 – Cours Elementaire second year CM1 – Cours Moyen first year CM2 – Cours Moyen second year The subjects taught are divided into three main groups: 1. French, history, geography, and civic studies 2. Mathematics, science, and technology 3. Physical education and sport, arts and crafts, and music By law, pupils must receive twenty-six hours of teaching per week. The teacher has some flexibility in deciding which subjects to spend time on out of the twenty-six teaching hours per week. Secondary education is compulsory until the age of 16 and includes attendance at a college until the age of 15. At 15 the next steps are decided by examination. The higher ranking students will have the opportunity to attend a lycée until they are 18 where they will study for the baccalauréat Other students may follow shortened studies in a vocational course. There are roughly 158 school days per year, less than in many anglophone countries, but the school days are longer.  The school day generally runs three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon with a two-hour lunch break; children can go home for lunch or stay at school for a fee-based lunch service, la cantine. The traditional schedule calls for attendance Monday through Friday with no classes on Wednesdays and a half-day on Saturdays but this schedule is one of the ongoing educational debates. Historically Wednesday afternoon was for religious instruction, now it is a time when children usually pursue sporting and musical activities or just play with friends. Some of the 28 administrative districts, académies, have eliminated Saturday classes and made up the time by extending the school year. In the late 1960s, France stopped requiring school uniforms for students; however, 40 years later, many parents and school officials are bringing the uniforms back or are thinking of doing so. Why? Because they are concerned about how unruly the students are and believe that a return to greater discipline—including clothing—might be the best thing they could do. Until recently, dress standards in the schools were quite loose, although the children were not allowed to wear any type of religious symbols, such as Muslim headwear. Some parents are in favor of uniforms because they feel buying them is cheaper than the clothes that the fashion-conscious French youth are so devoted to, although improved discipline is everyone’s main reason for supporting such a change.

French schools offer very few extracurricular activities. For example, most sports are sponsored by clubs, not schools. Many children belong to sports clubs or take lessons in dance, art, language, or sport. But these are not sponsored by the schools. Because of the length of the school day, most of these activities take place on Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons.

French children, like children around the world, love to play sports. Some of their favorites are soccer, tennis, rugby, and bicycling. In the north in the region of the French Alps, snow skiing is very popular. Video games are also becoming more and more popular among students of all ages. Basketball and handball are also on the rise. Because French workers get five weeks of vacation each year, families love to take vacations together, usually in August when the southern part of France is hot and the beaches are enticing. However, some prefer to head north to the French Alps and have skiing vacations. Another popular activity for children in the summer is a summer holiday camp. These can last from one to three weeks, and they specialize in a particular theme, such as a sport, art, or music.

The first thing most students do when they get home from school between 5:00 and 6:00 is get a snack! Then they settle in for some homework and a little television before having dinner at about 8:00 or later. After dinner, it’s time to finish off the homework, watch television or play video games, and get ready for bed at 9:30 to 10:30. As in many European countries, the mid-day meal is the most important meal. At least half of all French students eat this meal at school. These meals are different from American school lunches: they are well-balanced meals that often have three or four courses! National guidelines state that students must be allowed at least 45 minutes for this meal, but public schools generally have a two-hour break for lunch. Usually, about half the cost of school meals are subsidized by the government, and the student’s family pays the other half, although this can be adjusted based on family income. The menus for each week are usually posted on public bulletin boards so parents can coordinate their evening meals with what is being offered at the school for their children. Meals are important in French culture, for the French consider cooking an art. A typical meal has several courses. The First would be an appetizer or soup. Common appetizers (also eaten as light meals) include pastries; snails or sausages; quiches with cheese fillings; omelets filled with vegetables, shrimp, ham, or bacon; and crepes. Next comes the main course, which often includes french bread and a meat such as chicken, pork chops, fish, or steak, followed by a green salad. The final course consists of cheese or fruit. The evening meal is usually light and is eaten at about 8:00 p.m.

France is known for being very proud of their school system. As a country, 99% of all adults are considered literate, meaning that they can read at least the newspaper. They have high standards and believe in a disciplined approach to education, although in recent years the discipline has relaxed significantly. Because of the high academic standards, one-third of all French students will repeat a grade at some point; however, because this is so common, it is not looked on as negatively as in the United States or most other countries. The school year runs from early September until late May. Children in France attend school between the ages of 6 and 16. Many attend preschool, which is for children from 2 years old to 5. Primary school is for ages 6 to 11. From 11 to 15, students attend what is known as collêge, which is sort of like junior high in the United States. Then they go to a “high school” that either prepares them for university studies or a profession.  English is taught as a selected foreign language in years CM1 and CM2 Although most students attend public schools, private schools are available and are often surprisingly affordable. Private schools have about 15% of primary-age students and up to 20% of secondary students. Most international students (children in families who were not born in France) attend private schools and get a language tutor to help with the language. Because private schools are influenced by having students from other countries with other customs, they often have a slightly different schedule than public schools. For instance, private schools are usually closed on Saturdays and also have shorter lunch breaks and therefore shorter school days. The Catholic Church runs most of the private schools in full cooperation with government education leaders. The public school system, from primary school through graduation from the university, is free to its students. Private schools charge a tuition, but it is much lower than in the United States. The Ministry of National Education also oversees a number of special schools that focus on the 100,000 students who have various disabilities. The goal is to help move about 5% of these students move into more mainstream schooling or vocational training by acquiring a certain skill level.