Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»Pocket knife
»Smart clothes
»Corkscrew
»Refillable water bottle
»French phrasebook
»Sturdy shoes
»Regional map
Checklist
»Check the validity of your passport
»Book car rental online for the cheapest deals
»Reserve a table if you plan to eat at a famous restaurant
»Book courses or popular tours to avoid disappointment
»Check custom restrictions so that you can shop for food and drink souvenirs
»Organise travel insurance
»Check whether your mobile phone will work
Etiquette
»
Greetings
Shake hands and say
bonjour Monsieur
or
bonjour Madame
(hello) to
strangers; air kiss on both cheeks and say
comment ça va
(how are you) to friends.
»
Conversation
Use
vous
(you) in polite company; use
tu
(also you) with friends and chil-
dren. Only use first names if invited. Talking about money is seen as crass.
»
Asking for help
Say
excusez-moi
(excuse me) to attract attention; say
pardon
(sorry) to
apologise.
»
Religion
Dress modestly and be quiet and respectful when visiting any religious build-
ing.
»
Eating & Drinking
When dining in a French home, wait for your host to start first. Al-
ways clear the plate. When you're finished, line up your fork and knife on top of your
plate towards the right.
