GLOSSARY - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 365

TIME
In writing, for timetables, television programmes, films and
making reservations in a restaurant, etc., the French express
time using the 24-hour clock. In speaking, however, many
people say 8:00 pm rather than 20 heures .
1:00 pm 13h

2:00 pm 14h

3:00 pm 15h

4:00 pm 16h

5:00 pm 17h

6:00 pm 18h

7:00 pm 19h

8:00 pm 20h

9:00 pm 21h

10:00 pm 22h

11:00 pm 23h

midnight minuit

COMMON EXPRESSIONS
Good day/ hello, sir
(ma'am)

Bonjour, monsieur
( madame )

Good evening Bonsoir

How are you? Comment allez-vous ?

Very well, thank you. Très bien, merci .

Yes, no, maybe Oui, non, peut-être

Please S'il-vous-plaît

Thank you; you're
welcome.

Merci; je vous en prie

Good luck! Bonne chance !

BEING POLITE
The French pay great heed to la politesse . Here are some
standard phrases which the French use in daily life.