GOING FRENCH

France is a very formal society that values good manners. As long as you make an effort to engage in the daily rituals, you'll find that the wheels of social interaction are easily oiled.

LEARN BASIC FRENCH

It's strongly recommended that you learn basic French and use it whenever possible. Your efforts will be appreciated and most French people will revert to English if they see you floundering.

Be gracious if your friends or colleagues correct your grammar or pronunciation, they are only trying to help you speak their language effectively.

Learning the language takes more than grammar books and a good ear. Conversations often develop into lively debates, so getting to know French history, politics and culture will give you an advantage. See our quick guide to French media.

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KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

The French say hello (bonjour) every time they go into a shop, when they meet their neighbours and even when they encounter strangers in a lift or a laundrette.

On arriving at a social gathering, the French make the effort to introduce themselves to everyone present with a handshake or a kiss on both cheeks.

The office environment can also be quite formal compared to most countries. The work day tends to start with a round of handshakes and hellos.

Use the "vous" form when addressing other adults and work colleagues until you are invited to use the "tu" form. The American habit of being on immediate first-name terms is slightly shocking to the French - when in doubt, err on the side of formality.

Even though la bise, the double kiss, can seem ubiquitous, it's always safer to start with a handshake, especially in a work environment. Kissing is reserved for people who know each other well and have a roughly equal status. Between men, it's a sign of real friendship.

Dress tends to be on the formal side for both men and women, whether in business or social situations.

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EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

The French drink often but it's almost unheard of for them to drink to excess. Wine is taken seriously and quality is far more important than quantity. When people are getting to know each other, they often opt for a pre-dinner drink (apéro, short for apéritif) rather than a full invitation to dinner.

The French also delight in good food and take a particular interest in local or regional specialities. Alongside the usual fast-food joints and supermarkets, most towns also have a traditional street market at least once a week and local grocers, butchers, bakers, cheesemongers and fishmongers still thrive.

Ready-made-meals are creeping into the national consciousness, but proper cooking and sit-down meals are still the rule. If you're invited to dinner, it's customary to bring a small gift, such as flowers or a bottle of reasonable champagne, or to offer to provide the cheese or dessert.

Punctuality is important in a business context, but for social invitations, the quart d'heure français still applies. As long as you arrive within 15 minutes of the time arranged, you're on time.

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