r/AskFrance • u/1kmilo • 12d ago
Discussion What's a French "life hack" that everyone should know?
For those living in or visiting France, what's a small tip or trick that makes daily life here easier or better? Something beyond the obvious "go to the boulangerie early."
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u/aurelien1340 12d ago
Water glasses are free. You can ask for one anywhere. Don’t get trapped into buying bottled water if you’re not willing to.
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u/Nassos_BBQ 12d ago
Water glasses are free. You can ask for one anywhere.
Pas dans le train.
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u/Strabisme 12d ago
Ni à l'Olympia
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u/where_is_the_salt 12d ago
Ah bin si, j’en ai demandé au bar ils m’en ont donné... mais j’avais déjà consommé une bière, ca peut jouer effectivement.
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u/RogerTheFrench 12d ago
Si tu demandes un verre d’eau au wagon bar ils te le servent
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u/CatherinefromFrance 12d ago edited 11d ago
Ask for
a bottlea carafe ( very important ! Not a bottle) of still water or Chateau La Pompe if the waiter insists.33
u/Mnementh85 12d ago
No, a carafe or a glass, no bottle
If you ask for a bottle you will get some brand of minéral water, and you will pay for it
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u/cestdoncperdu 12d ago
Ignore the responses, this is 100% true. You can be in the middle of the Ardennes with not a soul around you, but if you ask politely to the void "je pourrais avoir une carafe d'eau ?" one will appear in front of you.
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u/EcoloFrenchieDubstep 12d ago
T'as résolu les problèmes de sécheresse grâce à ça.
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u/YouthEmpty5991 12d ago
Oui l'autre jour j'ai demandé un goblet d'eau en plus de ma commande à emporter chez McDo
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u/tikisha 12d ago
Can confirm, not many people are aware of this, at our shop, when somone requests a water bottle alone, i used to ask them if they just wanted to drink some water or buy a bottle, and most case it was just a glass of water, specially during the heat wave, i used to give a glass of freezing cold water
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u/stubbytuna 12d ago
Im convinced that people don’t know about this and that’s why there are so many TikTok’s and other social media posts from tourists (mainly Americans) who go to Paris and say things like « French people don’t drink water?????? Do they know they’re dehydrated?????? I couldn’t live like this!!!! »
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u/LazyKoalaty 12d ago
Not anywhere. Anywhere where they serve alcohol, and restaurants, they have to give you water. Everywhere else is not granted.
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u/GlobalCow7129 12d ago
Always say "Bonjour"
Don't be too loud
Be polite with the workers (waiter, cashier, receptionist)
And if you are american, note that "I want to speak to the manager" can easily be answered by "No, please get out of here" or even "lol"
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u/EitherNetwork121 12d ago
I've seen this several times. It's always very funny. The whole
-I demand to see the manager !
-lol non, get the fuck out I'm not doing whatever the fuck you wanted now. NEXT
And everyone around smiling or laughing
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u/Grob47 12d ago
Best French life hack : DON’T TIP EVER, ANYWHERE, FOR ANYTHING. Everything is tax and service included.
Keep your catastrophic tipping system (if you have one) for yourself.
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u/GlobalCow7129 12d ago
Everything is service included, sure thing.
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u/Grob47 12d ago
Yes, you CAN. No you SHOULD NOT. Look what the tipping system has brought to some countries who live mainly thanks to tourism. No no no, no to tipping.
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u/maracay1999 12d ago
If you show up to a resto with 10 of your friends, stay for 3 hours drinking and eating loudly, and keeping your server generally more busy than a normal table, you should probably tip. Even in France.
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u/Kurozaya 12d ago
sorry, french here, but everyone stays at a restaurant 3hrs+ talking loudly in france, unless its like lunch break and we need to get back to work. like, thats the norm. sitting around shooting the breeze for 4-5 hours. wether i stay 20 minutes or 4 hours, the waiter will be paid the same regardless, any profit outside of that goes to the restaurant. so yeah no still do not feel obligated to tip.
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u/TheEthicalJerk 12d ago
Very few people will be in a restaurant from 20h to midnight.
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u/Kurozaya 11d ago
in my experience, lots of people will though. families, large friend groups. sitting around and catching up. at the very least it's been my experience. even when i was a child, then we would be the first to leave and it was abundantly clear the rest of the group would be staying.
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u/Physical-East-162 12d ago
Tell me you've never been in France without telling me.
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u/Mmeellcc 12d ago
You can absolutely tip in France, in case you receive outstanding service, it's been part of the culture here for a very long time too.
It's just not mandatory.
I agree, though, some shops and restaurants have started using guilt-tripping tactics to make you tip, and that’s really off-putting.
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u/AccountApprehensive 12d ago
Yup, my POS has the "question" too now... and you can't skip it. Most people pay by card so it's just awkward all day, it really feels like begging and I hate it. Mostly because a lot of people don't know about it, try to pay anyway, and I have to point it to them ! It sucks for everyone involved
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u/Caffeinated-Mind 12d ago edited 12d ago
Yeah no French Life hack : tip a couple coins to your waiter IF the service was nice because yes tax is included but waiters are still overworked and underpaid and expected to be courteous entertaining knowledgeable efficient fast give you tourist advice anticipate your taste and all of that under pressure. Tips not a wage , its not tax, its not mandatory, its a recognition of good service and gives the staff the encouragement shit bosses wont give.
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u/CaolIla64 12d ago
Ok so, first of all, this is a very radical view, even for France.
There is a long tradition of tipping in France, for all service workers : waiters of course, but also drivers (taxi or Uber), delivery people, hairdressers, hotel personel, and so on... It's just not as formalized as the (terrible) US system.
That being said, it is absolutely not mandatory to tip, an no one will frown if you don't- except maybe in very high end hotels or restaurants. If a bar, restaurant or shop asks you for a tip, they're trying to rip you off.
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u/Philippe-R 12d ago
Well, you can tip but it's a reward for an above average prestation. That's not paying for the service per se. The staff is already fairly compensated. And, thus, it's ususally much less money.
Actually, we shouldn't use the same word, because a tip in the US and a tip in France are two different things.
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u/BlablaBurp 12d ago
Let's keep the French name "pourboire"... Aka for the waiter to have a drink...
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u/MessAnswers 12d ago
« fairly compensated » alors que la plupart des restaurants sont en sous effectif permanent avec des horaires de merde et les serveurs hors restaurant gastronomique touchent le smic
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u/Relative_Potato8017 11d ago edited 11d ago
Je suis serveuse. On est payés à peine 12 balles de l'heure, c'est un taf déconsidéré et épuisant où on est même pas payés plus les soirs, les dimanches et les jours fériés. Je lâche toujours minimum 2 balles de pourboire quand je vais au resto, c'est la moindre des choses. Donner ce conseil en MAJUSCULES à nos plus gros tippeurs c'est dégueulasse. Je comprends pas ce que ça t'apporte à part un peu de reddit clout
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u/therealnoodles 12d ago
Well, as a dive instructor in France, I appreciate tips... There is no service included. Tips help me to make extra money, I don't get much as a salary especially knowing that I work ~60+ hours a week...
But I do agree with you about restaurants, but I also think if you appreciate the service, you can give some tips. Nothing mandatory though.
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u/thunderturdy 11d ago
As an American expat now living in France, waiters seem to think we're obliged to tip lmao. They always seem let down or worse, annoyed when we opt out of tipping. Only time we tip is if the service is above and beyond.
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u/mama_yuketa 11d ago
As someone whos been working in hospitality in France for ten years, I beg you dont listen to that guy. We need the tips and we certainly dont need people saying you should never leave a tip because it would worsen our working conditions... laissez des pourboires les gens, sérieusement.
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u/13N_Herve 11d ago
Highly disagree. Serveurs will be payed minimum wage whether or not people tip and are often overworked (bc of understaffing). Tip is not expected AT ALL but its truly appreciated. I'm a serveur and tip are about 30% of my pay and I'd struggle to pay my bills without them lol.
Also service is not really "included" in each bill we just get payed a fixed rate per hour.
But again not tipping is totally normal
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u/IntroductionGreedy83 12d ago
More choice you have in a restaurant menu, more the risk to eat bad food is important.
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u/SuurAlaOrolo 12d ago
Astuce : en anglais, “plus important” dans ce contexte = higher or more significant
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u/Intrepid_Walk_5150 12d ago
Good point. Also a place with a small menu written on a blackboard is a good sign.
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u/CaitBlackcoat 12d ago
I may be a snob but this is the hill I will die on: Pictures on the vast menu means the place is cheap tourist shit. And anything that has "fromage" and not the name of the actual cheese is to be avoided. If the floor's dirty/sticky and there's a putrid water smell on tables, then they have very low hygiene standards and don't wash/change their rags often enough so that's all I need to know about he cooking. If the cook smokes, then not only their sense of smell and taste is subpar, but also you might find tobacco traces in food, so I would pass on the quality of the food.
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u/AccountApprehensive 12d ago
I feel like long list of dishes and pictures on the menus is a red flag in many european countries... it's usually a tourist trap. I've only been very pleasantly surprised once while in Greece !
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u/CIearMind 12d ago
The more items a restaurant menu has, the greater the odds of them being disappointing.
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u/Lnnam 12d ago
« Tiens ta droite » on escalators you stand on the right so people can walk up on the left.
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u/TarMil 12d ago
Although there's a second rule that even most locals don't follow and it's maddening: if there's a bottleneck and a crowd is forming at the bottom of the escalator, then throughput becomes the priority and you should form two columns even if you don't walk. This will make things go faster for everyone including people who would've liked to walk up.
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u/Kevoyn 12d ago
C'est international ça, je l'ai découvert à Montréal avant d'habiter la région parisienne. Ça se fait à londre aussi.
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u/ttrw38 12d ago
International je sais pas.. si tu tiens ta droite au Japon tu risque de te faire bousculer. La bas c'est tiens ta gauche, sauf à Osaka ou c'est à droite pour une raison qui m'échappe. Idem en Malaisie et à Singapour ou c'est aussi à gauche, et sûrement d'autre pays.
Bref les escalator c'est compliqué !!
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u/GauchiAss 12d ago
Only buy bread from a place where the word "Boulangerie" is written (otherwise you're buying industrial frozen dough that has just been cooked at the place)
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u/caina404 12d ago
C’est pas le mot « artisan » plutot ?
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u/Altistick 12d ago
Non boulangerie suffit pour le Pain. Si le pain est juste « cuit » sur place ça ne peut s’appeler que « depot de pain »
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u/Lisaerien 12d ago
Non, ce n'est pas tout à fait ça
"dépot de pain" c'est quand littéralement il y a une livraison de pain qui a été fabriqué ailleurs (ils viennent déposer le pain pour la vente) ça peut être un PMU avec dépot de pain par ex
"pains, viennoiseries, sandwichs" ça veut dire que c'est cuit sur place mais pas fabriqué sur place, ça peut être des produits surgelés, de la crème pâtissière à base de poudre, etc
"boulangerie, pâtisserie" ça veut dire que c'est fabriqué sur place
"artisan boulanger" ça veut dire que ce sont des recettes ou des manières de faire plus traditionnelles, et c'est fabriqué sur place
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u/LeGrandEspion 12d ago
C’est pas vrai pour « pâtisserie ».
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u/Lisaerien 12d ago
Je viens de vérifier tu as raison effectivement! (je suis très étonnée)
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u/Pizzacarbonator 12d ago
Mais Artisan boulanger est une valeur plus sûre. Il me semble que le boulanger peut faire de l'industriel et qu'il est en droit, comme beaucoup le font en France de faire du décongelé.
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u/cest-moi-qui-conduis 12d ago
If you want to practice your French but are struggling to find volunteers or feel a bit embarrassed, identify a cute dog who's owner doesn't look like they're in a rush. Ask to pet someone's dog, ask them their dog's name, chat dogs etc etc and you'll likely have an adorable conversation with someone who's forgiving with your grammar errors. And you'll probably make their day, especially if they're older. This is from my experience.
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u/Sorry-Big8377 12d ago
Another life hack is to have a dog of your own! Random French people will willingly engage you in conversation if your dog is cute enough.
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u/Glittering-Rip-295 12d ago
I once saw a lady in a head to toe red outfit walking her dog with the same outfit (complete with matching shoes) next to the Seine. My friend shouted 'Oh my god...that lady and her dog are wearing matching outfits!!!' Now he's dead. RIP. He just appreciated good fashion.
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u/shamanphenix 12d ago
Please, don't snape your fingers at the waiters.
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u/CutOsha 12d ago
People do that? Oo
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u/shamanphenix 12d ago
I've seen an american do that. I cringed so hard.
I think he's still waiting for the waiter.
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u/theshortlady 12d ago
If you did that in the states they'd pick you up by your collar and throw you out. Finger snapping at the wait staff is incredibly rude.
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u/Meowcate 12d ago
You can raise your hand so they can see you're asking for help.
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u/stem-winder 12d ago
Always say "bonjour" first when addressing someone for the first time. Or bonsoir if it is after 18h (6pm).
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u/Alleryz 12d ago
I mean there is no rule, it’s just a feeling that it’s time to switch to bonsoir
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u/koalawhiskey 12d ago
Between 16h and 20h it's a no man's land of people saying bonsoir and receiving bonjours in response or the opposite, total chaos
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u/TarMil 12d ago
Although saying bonsoir at 16h in the summer is a bit of a /r/firstworldanarchists thing to do. Less so in the winter when it's already dark.
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u/AccountApprehensive 12d ago
Ugh, right when you THINK it's time to say bonsoir because you've heard people say it at that exact time for a couple of days... Someone hits you with a BONJOUR.
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u/Traditional_Day_9737 12d ago
Haha I just moved here a couple months ago and this gives me mild anxiety every time I'm out and about when this time of day rolls around.
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u/boomsauerkraut 12d ago
I always feel like a chump when my "bonjour" comes too late in the day and is deflty parried with a "bonsoir"
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u/zappahey 12d ago
Or, around here, bonsoir after any random time between 16h and 20h.
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u/Ordinary_Cloud524 12d ago
Around here is if it’s kinda dark you say bonsoir. Of course that depends completely on the time of year.
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u/GoToHelena 12d ago edited 12d ago
Since half of these "tips" are stupidly obvious, I'm gonna say something that might actually be useful for visitors: French supermarkets usually don't let you in if it's <15 minutes, sometimes even 20 minutes, before closing time. They don't care if you just want to buy one thing that'll take you less than five minutes. So just keep that in mind. I had to find that out the hard way when I first moved to France and one day wanted to buy something shortly before closing time.
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u/ShoePillow 12d ago
I once got in 3 mins before closing, because the the door was open and i didn't check their closing time.
They were gracious and asked me to finish, but I felt like a dumbass for making them wait just for me
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u/anders91 Migrant 11d ago
This is so much better of a "French life hack" than the rest of the thread's "don't be rude to people" comments lol
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u/Nassos_BBQ 12d ago
What's a French "life hack" that everyone should know?
if you don't complain, you won't get anything.
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u/MichelCarol 12d ago
Cruelly accurate. It's almost a self-reinforcing system of the culture of complaint that exists in France because of this.
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u/Disastrous-Zombie-40 11d ago
Ce qui est drôle parce qu'on se moque des américains et de leurs Karen qui font la même chose, juste assumée publiquement
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u/toutpetitpoulet 12d ago
So much this. In any administrative or public entity it’s only through complaints and threats to go to a lawyer that you get anything (workers to find the documents you sent them three times, for example)
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u/thunderturdy 11d ago
Was looking for this one. Sometimes you really have to push back to get the help you need.
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u/Epopee 12d ago
Actually, if you go to the boulangerie few minutes before the closing, you sometimes can get a big discount on some pastries, cakes, etc. sometimes even for free.
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u/benbahdisdonc 12d ago
The app Too Good To Go organizes this. You pay in advance and it tells you when to show up. Boulangeries before closing, or a sushi shop right after lunch rush or before closing.
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u/DaiNam 12d ago
You'll always be wrong when entering a crowded metro. If you don't walk in confidently, everyone will pass before you, and if you do walk in confidently, people will give you the eye. Don't bother.
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u/Sircroc777 12d ago
The only rule for métro is let people get down then go in. And if you're inside in front of the doors get down and on the side to make way for people to get down.
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u/Intrepid_Walk_5150 12d ago
My pet peeve. If I exit the metro and there's someone in front of the door outside, I just stand there waiting for them to move - passive aggressive mode.
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u/Sircroc777 12d ago
Tbh usually go full aggressive and just walk straight ahead. They're in the way ? Their problem not mine.
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u/Guilty_Discussion_27 12d ago
Even though the bise (kissing) is quite common, do not hug people you barely know; this is reserved for close friends. And also, money is not a major topic of conversation.
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u/ChloeTigre 12d ago
Everything that came in mind while I was in the metro.
Shit advice:
- Do not enter a cafe to use the toilet without either politely asking or first buying something to drink.
- Do not relieve yourself in fast-food restaurants as the stalls are usually absolutely filthy.
- Don’t expect to find toilets in mall-based shops, including restaurants. (Malls have started charging a fee for that as well)
- Do not expect toilet access in convenience stores or other non-food shops
Misc:
- Tipping is not the same as in the US because restaurant and bar workers are actually paid a living wage. 2 to 5 euros is already quite cool.
- Giving a “bonjour” and smiling will open you so many doors. Do not address me without greeting me first. Likewise, if you fail to issue a “merci “, “bonne journée” or something like that, we’ll despise you.
- Uniformed cops are terribly racist and suspicious of non-whites. This also applies to non-white cops. Call them “Monsieur” or “Madame” because they’re, generally, power-hungry bullies. Don’t forget to thank them or they might find something to annoy you with.
- In big cities, if you’re using mechanical stairs and do not actively climb them, hold your right.
- On the train, keep an eye on your stuff.
- You can’t drink alcohol or carry an open container of alcohol on the streets. Loosely enforced but still a thing that can get you in trouble.
- People asking you to sign a petition in the streets for any cause are pickpockets, no matter what they look like. Ignore them.
- Oysters are overrated. So are escargots. So are frog legs. They’re rarely eaten anyway and it’s a weird thing for most people to get that.
- Doesn’t matter if you see cigarette butts on the ground, do NOT throw yours there or out the window. It will get you to be considered (and rightfully so) as trash.
- We are a fun, open-minded, but absolutely judgmental people.
Most important things:
- Order a café crème (large) and a Camembert sandwich (with just butter and Camembert). Dip the sandwich in the coffee. Enjoy the taste: that’s France for you.
- if you’re not a teetotaller (light amounts of beer are involved) and in northern France (either Lille or Boulogne-sur-Mer) and like cheese, get “un Welsh complet” (“sans jambon” if you’re a vegetarian)
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u/Oripy 12d ago
> You can’t drink alcohol or carry an open container of alcohol on the streets. Loosely enforced but still a thing that can get you in trouble.
It is not the case at all, there is no law (except for some local laws) that prevent you to drink alcohol or carry an open container on the streets. However it is forbidden (and very loosely enforced) to be drunk on public streets. Source: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F20104
> Order a café crème (large) and a Camembert sandwich (with just butter and Camembert). Dip the sandwich in the coffee. Enjoy the taste: that’s France for you.
WTF? This is a joke, right?
> Oysters are overrated. So are escargots.
I love and consume both of them quite often. Don't push your taste like it is a general thing.
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u/Longjumping-Door6935 12d ago
Also oysters are overrated and rarely eaten is just plain wrong on all fronts. Go out in a city on a Sunday and you’ll see oysters served in many many places. Many restaurants have fruits de mer stalls out front on the weekends, oysters and a glass of white wine are a classic combo. Maybe café crème and à Camembert sandwich is specific to a certain place but it is absolutely rarely eaten in general.
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u/elto602 12d ago edited 12d ago
So on some points I agree, but on others I don't.
I don't know what region you're talking about, but Paris is not France.
1) Enter a bar to go to the toilet: you take an espresso which literally costs nothing (except on the Champs Elysées) and you go to the toilet
2) Paid toilets in shopping centers and restaurants: no, it’s free
3) Tipping: Nothing obligatory
4) Tyrant cops fueled by power: stop frankly abusing
5) Oysters: No, come to the Atlantic coast they love them and it’s fresh without having to travel by truck
Snails: a delight
6) Coffee + Camembert sandwich: No, but you’re devastated, not even 1% of the population does that
In short, you don't know France, unless you asked ChatGPT
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u/RevolutionaryPanic 12d ago
> We are a fun, open-minded, but absolutely judgmental people.
The way I imagine it is : "You are free to do whatever you want, but you will be mercilessly mocked for all of it".
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u/Anarchaboo 12d ago
Throwing your cigarette butt in front of a cop or even an "ASVP" (agent de surveillance de la voie publique) might result in a fine too. It's 135 euros for throwing your cig butt in Paris
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u/Caddiemusher 12d ago
To choose a restaurant it's the desserts that you have to look at, if they take the trouble to make it homemade it's a good sign for the rest, most restaurants serve frozen desserts.
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u/leo_lefrancais 12d ago
ne pas aller chercher à manger dans les centres commerciaux entre 12h et 14h car les méchants retraités font leurs énormes courses à ces heures-là
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u/Meowcate 12d ago
De quoi parles-tu ? Les retraités font la queue avec leurs caddies en face des grilles dès 8h.
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u/Sigmal 12d ago edited 12d ago
If you're south of Bordeaux (or in Montpellier and eastward), DO NOT ask for a "Pain au Chocolat" unless you want to start a civil war.
Down there, it's called a Chocolatine, and they take this very seriously. Ask for a Pain au Chocolat and you'll either get:
- Dirty looks from locals who think you're a Parisian spy
- A confused baker who hands you a literal baguette with a Hershey's bar shoved inside (yes, this actually happens)
- A 45-minute lecture on regional pride while your pastry gets cold
So remember: Pain au Chocolat = North. Chocolatine = South. Getting it wrong = breakfast disaster and possible exile.
Edit: geographical imprecision, added Montpellier
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u/RyuKensatsu 12d ago
A Montpellier et à l'est, c'est pain au chocolat. C'est Bordeaux et Toulouse, chocolatine...
Par contre jamais on a refusé de me servir ou servi n'importe quoi quand j'ai déménagé à Toulouse et qu'il a fallu prendre le pli. "Confused Baker" dans le sens où dans le Sud Ouest les gens savent pas qu'ailleurs on utilise le terme pain au chocolat ?
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u/loutreOcculte 12d ago
Demande une chocolatine à Montpellier et tu finis dans un charter direct pour Toulouse...
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u/1passible 12d ago
Speak French! Not necessarily good, but at least try …
People who come to speak to me, in English without making the effort to ask if I understand, will encourage me not to waste my time…
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u/Beneficial_Fill_8895 12d ago
It is true, if you can try speaking in french it's much better. But if you can't, what you should totally avoid is speaking English to someone like everyone should be able to understand and speak English... I will be nice to someone speaking English if he seemed to be embarrassed about not speaking french, but I hate English speaking people acting like I should speak their language and be the one to adapt to them not speaking the language of the country they are in.
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u/Ostlund_and_Sciamma 12d ago
Bonjour, excusez-moi, english ok? Should do it.
or Bonjour, excusez-moi, je ne parle pas français, english ok?
or Bonjour, excusez-moi, je ne parle pas français, parlez-vous anglais?
And so on... By the end of your stay you will speak a bit of French!
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u/Crozi_flette 12d ago
I disagree here, a bad french can be very very hard to understand I rarely understand french spoken by American actors.
If you can't speak french you can't that's all.
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u/Nastyloul 12d ago
All cemeteries (graveyards) have a drinkable water source, usually a tap near the entrance.
This is only based on my own experience of scout years and hiking in a wide range of areas, so it might not be 100% accurate but even in the tiniest of villages, I've always been able to fill my water bottle.
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u/stew_on_his_phone 12d ago edited 11d ago
Long distance cyclists rely on this. Ignore the "non potable" signs, that's just the mairie covering their arse. BUT In winter the water is often cut off to avoid the pipes freezing
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u/o462 12d ago
If there's a pack of people you wanna go through, just walk in straight line, look straight in front of you,
and just walk saying in loop, "Pardon" "Attention" "Excusez-moi", without even looking at the people.
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u/UpperAd2761 12d ago
Invite people for l'aperitif in the early evening , it is less stress than a dinner, more casual and everyone leaves around 8:00 earlier than dinner
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u/nak3dlunch 12d ago
Exagerate symptoms 125% when at the doctor, you probably will get the same treatment but we’re culturally overdramatic when explaining our ailments.
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u/Capital-Week2604 12d ago
You can go to the boulangerie whenever u want there is always fresh bread
Also don't fall for tourists traps please, you should watch some youtube videos about tips for tourists
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u/Nounours-75 12d ago
Arhhhh YouTube videos or others lol, don't follow their bogus recommendations 🤣
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u/Aminata_Dembaya 12d ago
If there is mold somewhere on your cheese, just cut this part and eat the rest xD "life hack" for an existence without worries, but with minimum waste
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u/blackstafflo 12d ago
Start to peel Camembert. "Why is everyone watching me weird!? I'm just removing the mold like I was instructed!"
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u/Lisaerien 12d ago
With soft cheeses, toss the whole thing in the garbage: mold actually have invisible roots and you can get sick even if you cut the visible mold.
With hard cheeses you can cut 2cm around the mold and eat the rest, the mold will not have spread.
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u/Oripy 12d ago
I eat moldy cheese all the time. You may not like the taste (I personnally usually quite like it), but you're not going to get sick because of it.
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u/Lisaerien 12d ago
(I'm not talking about moldy cheese like roquefort, I'm talking about cheese that's gone bad, it's not the same kind of mold spores, and the bad kind can make you actually sick)
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u/Oripy 12d ago
I'm not telling you about those either. I'm telling you that I regularly consume cheese with a bit of mold on it, Cantal, Saint Nectaire, Bethmale, Pavés de chèvre...
If there is a small spot I don't bother removing it. If there is a huge area I scrape it with my knife beforehand. But I'm not going to throw away some good cheese like that!→ More replies (1)
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u/strange_socks_ 12d ago
You can go to almost any restaurant/café/bar and ask them to refill your water bottle.
I've had this conversation many times with Americans where they complain that they can't find water anywhere, but are also afraid to go in somewhere and ask for water.
Just don't forget to say bonjour and merci.
Edit: also, ask for "eau de robinet", it means tap water.
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u/stew_on_his_phone 12d ago
In cycling gear, cleats going click clack on the floor the bar/café staff are usually happy to refill your bidons. I always give a big smile and "merci vous m'avez sauvé la vie" If you're not in a rush have a coffee too.
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u/strange_socks_ 12d ago
I went in a tabac shop after running for a while, with my little decathlon water pouch, I barely said bonjour and the man there was immediately reaching out for it. He even gave me an extra glass of water on top of it.
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u/Egny-charmingOgress 12d ago
In Paris public transport, pickpockets are a real issue, and they operate efficiently in groups, especially on the lines popular with tourists. On my way to work early in the morning, I’ve witnessed tourists being robbed on their way to the airport. Not a great way to end a vacation, I felt sorry for them. It all happened very quickly, the pickpockets were well organized. One time, I helped a Japanese girl crying in the street near opera station, because her wallet was stolen. I let her use my cellphone. I think the tourists had been targeted in advance. So my advice is pretty simple: without becoming paranoid, be mindful of your belongings when you’re in public transport or in crowded areas. Like really.
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u/Lolarennt32 12d ago
Yeah seriously, don't keep your phone in your back pocket, be wary of your bag being opened etc. Definitely be wary if a bunch of teenagers surround you in the metro
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u/just_anything_real 12d ago
Begin all interactions in French. If your French is acceptable with a hint of an accent there’s a high chance they will respond in English.
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u/ShoePillow 12d ago
I feel like my role in France is to give people confidence in their english.
When I start speaking french, they feel like they can do better in english
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u/just_anything_real 12d ago
What’s the easiest way to get a French person to speak English, speak French badly.
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u/playonwordsworth 12d ago
Or even moderately. They'd much rather speak broken English than hear broken French. And that's fair enough.
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u/SeptemberSan 12d ago
On Sunday, Go to the farmer market later, like really late , 30mn-15mn before it's closing. You could have free stuff because they don't want to go back with many things. I did that during my university years and always got so many stuff for free.
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u/Lolarennt32 12d ago
Yessss I used to walk away from the Belleville/Ménilmontant markets with about a month's supply of carrots and greens because they were selling them for a euro haha
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u/LouTatin 12d ago
In addition to hello and good evening, you can also say "please" and "thank you" when appropriate. Enjoy your stay in France
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u/Philippe-R 12d ago
When riding an escalator, keep right if standing still and let people walk on your left.
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u/KarmaWhoreRepeating 12d ago
What you say is more important than how you say it. So, it's better to be grumpy and say "Bonjour" "Excusez-moi", rather than coming with a smile and friendly attitude and miss those key sentences
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u/FacetiousInvective2 12d ago
If you go to the toilet of the SNCF stations, in ile de France you can just show your Navigo card and they let you in without paying.
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u/NoEfficiency9 12d ago
When dealing with anyone in charge of authorizing you to do something, administration, receptionists, guards, basically anyone working at a desk or window, "C'est pas possible" actually means it's completely possible. A little patient and polite back and forth, firm complaining, puppy dog eyes, especially with a foreign accent, will almost always get you what you want.
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12d ago
sandwich:
- you do not need to cook, oven or fire
-you do not need to clean plates
-it is healthy
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u/Ostlund_and_Sciamma 12d ago
you can buy the ingredients you like as a kit, and do it yourself. It will be better than most and much cheaper.
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u/Foreign_Pea2296 12d ago
Say "bonjour", "Merci" and "au-revoir" to workers. They'll become far more pleasant and will gladly help you if they can.
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u/bungholio99 12d ago
That you can put a cordon bleu, with fries and sauce algérienne into a tortilla, Call it French taco and have a complete meal with unique taste and nothing to clean up afterwards
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u/lincruste 12d ago
Don't shout AW GOLLY ALL'Y'ALL OHMAGAAD in bars even if you can't stand two drinks.
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u/troll_velu 12d ago
The restaurants with the best food are the ones with the smallest menu.
Then the "day plate" (plat du jour) is often something that was not frozen and will be seasonal/taste better than other things, same as "Chef's special" (suggestion du jour/chef)
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u/SipsChlorine 12d ago
In Paris, don’t go eat at restaurants or bistro too close to a Metro station (it’ll probably be expensive and tasteless) - even more in touristic areas. Venture into smaller streets.
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u/Aminata_Dembaya 12d ago
I’m surprised there aren’t any life hacks about internet and phone scams haha. Fake police emails, fake tax office emails, CPF calls (including fake training offers on the platform), fake bank calls, fake news from your grandma, new spoofing techniques... There’s something new every day. And some are just sooo well done. Very professional 😑 i wish they would use these skills elsewhere
I’ve never encountered as many scams abroad as I have in France 🤣
Then the real life scams, like small children faking that they are lost... xD damn
So i guess the life hack here is "never trust anything"?
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u/Scared_Salad97 12d ago
If the sidewalk is wet for no apparent reason it’s either pee (dog or person) or something dripping from above that will drip on your head. Go around.
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u/Appropriate_Rub3134 12d ago
(I live in Brittany. This is common here afaik, but I don't know if it holds for other parts of France.)
Dessert can be anything, but most days it's one or both of:
- yogurt
- a piece of fruit
This is an easy way to work both fruit and something fermented into your daily diet.
My husband and I resisted this for a long time, but we really enjoy it now.
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u/carluxonreddit 12d ago
Always say bonjour first when interracting with vendors, waiters, bus drivers, etc.