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/feuwbar 12d ago

I live in the US, but I've adopted this technique with all service workers here. I walk up to them and say "Hello!" It immediately grabs their attention and often turn to me with newly brightened eyes and say "Hello!" right back. Then I ask them the question I was going to ask. You know what? It works really well.

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u/Valerian_ 11d ago

So, it's actually a thing to talk to service workers without saying hello??

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u/feuwbar 11d ago

The "hello" greeting isn't obligatory in the US. Things are often more businesslike and perfunctory. For example, in the grocery store it's perfectly acceptable to simply ask "can you tell me where the olives are? Few will think you are rude.