Tips for First-time Visitors to France: A Series - Part 4: French etiquette for travel situations

French Etiquette with Shopping, Transportation, and Daily Interactions: Essential Tips for First-Time Travelers

Traveling in France is as much about respecting social norms as it is about seeing the sights. Simple gestures like greetings, polite phrases, and mindful shopping behavior can make interactions smoother and more enjoyable, helping you connect authentically with locals. Here’s a practical guide with tips on navigating French etiquette during everyday travel situations.

1. Always Greet Shopkeepers and Service Staff

In France, greetings are essential. Every store visit, café stop, or market stroll begins with a polite acknowledgment. Using greetings and thanking staff is routine and expected in France. It shows respect and immediately sets a positive tone for your interaction, even if you're just browsing.

While greeting the shopkeeper in the US is often seen as an invitation to start a pushy sales pitch, in France it's seen as a basic gesture of politeness. Shopkeepers generally won't bother you for a sale unless you specifically ask for their assistance (and then they will provide you with expert service).

In France, greetings are essential.

• Shop and Market Etiquette:

  
  

  • Always greet shopkeepers and service people any time you enter the store. Use Bonjour (mornings) or Bonsoir (evenings).

    
    

  • When you leave, always say goodbye with Au revoir. You can always add a "Merci" (thank you) and/or a "Bonne journée" (Have a good day) for extra politeness.

    
    

  • Failing to greet staff is considered rude.

    
    

• Restaurants and Cafés: A polite greeting at entry signals respect.

  
  

• Polite Phrases: Use s’il vous plaît (please) and merci (thank you) frequently

  
  

2. Respect Merchandise and Produce

In the U.S., it’s common to grab your own apples at the market or carry clothes straight into the fitting room. In France, the etiquette is a little different.

• At the market: Instead of selecting and bagging produce yourself, politely ask for what you’d like — ‘Je voudrais ___, s’il vous plaît’ (or just point and say s’il vous plaît if your French is shaky). The vendor will carefully choose and bag the items for you.
  

• In shops: Instead of walking clothing straight to the fitting room, ask the salesperson first — ‘Je peux l’essayer, s’il vous plaît?’
  

In France, vendors and shopkeepers take real pride in their merchandise and are seen as knowledgeable professionals — especially at farmers’ markets and small boutiques. Think of it like consulting an expert who wants to help you find the very best.

• Boutiques and Department Stores:

  • Browse freely but don’t touch items unnecessarily.

  • Ask politely (Excusez-moi) to try on clothes or see products.
    

• Outdoor Produce & Specialty Markets:

  • Don’t handle fruits, vegetables, or specialty goods.

  • Ask vendors before touching, tasting, or sampling items.

  • Bring small bills or exact change for faster transactions.

  • Note: supermarkets and large-chain style stores are more similar to US cultural norms
    

• Polite Phrases: Saying s’il vous plaît and merci often shows appreciation for assistance.

In France, vendors and shopkeepers take real pride in their merchandise and are seen as knowledgeable professionals

Always greet staff and thank them, even for small transactions.

3. Etiquette on Public Transport

Using public transport in France comes with its own set of social norms. Being polite, mindful of personal space, and following rules helps ensure a stress-free journey for everyone.

• Keep Noise Low: Speak softly and avoid loud phone calls. Because public transport is often crowded, personal space is maintained through silence rather than physical space.

• Basic Courtesy: Offer your seat to elderly, disabled, or pregnant passengers.

• Ticket Rules: Validate tickets on trams, buses, and trains. Inspectors check regularly. Always keep your validated ticket until you are off the transport and out of the station, just in case.

• Boarding and Exiting: Let passengers exit before boarding; stand aside while waiting.

• Cleanliness: Don’t eat or leave trash behind.

• Polite Phrases: Use "merci" often when someone gives up a seat or assists you, and "pardon" when navigating through crowded spaces.

  
  

Keep noise to a minimum on public transport. Avoid phone calls, limit conversation and speak softly.

To sum up:

By following a few core rules, you can show respect for French culture, avoid being "that tourist," and enjoy more authentic experiences:

1. Always greet staff in shops, markets, and cafés.

2. Ask shopkeepers before touching or trying products.

3. Be quiet on public transport.

4. Offer your seat to elderly, pregnant, or disabled persons on public transport.

5. Use polite phrases like bonjour, pardon, s’il vous plaît, and merci frequently.

Small gestures—greetings, polite words, and mindful behavior—transform you from a tourist into a welcomed guest. Respect and curiosity are your keys to authentic experiences in France.

Dreaming of exploring France like a local? I’ll craft a trip that lets you immerse, connect, and feel at home—wherever you roam.

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