Culture of France

Historical Background

By 51 BC, the Romans had conquered the area’s Celtic inhabitants, the Gauls, who then adopted the Romans’ customs, language, and laws. Clovis I, king of the Franks, defeated the last Roman governor in AD 486. The French consider his conversion to Catholicism in 496 the founding act of
the nation; the move won him the support of the Catholic Church and Gallo-Roman people, who helped him defeat surrounding Arian kingdoms. In the late eighth century, France was part of Charlemagne’s vast empire. After the empire’s disintegration, France emerged as one of the successor kingdoms in 987. The following centuries brought intermittent conflict, particularly with the English, including the Hundred Years’ War, from 1337 to 1453. In 1429, after 80 years of war, Joan of Arc led the French in victory over the English. Later burned to death by the English (1431), she remains a French heroine.

By the late 1600s, France dominated Europe. Under Louis XIV (the Sun King), the movement toward centralized government reached its peak. His palace at Versailles was the envy of the continent. But by 1789, royal extravagance and defeats in foreign wars resulted in the French Revolution. Louis XVI’s monarchy was toppled and the country entered the “reign of terror.” Despite the brutality of the uprising, the French Revolution marks a milestone in world history because it started a movement toward democratic government. After a decade of instability, Napoleon Bonaparte took power, declaring himself emperor in 1804. Napoleon conquered most of Europe before embarking on a disastrous campaign in Russia in 1812. In 1814, Austrian and Prussian forces seized Paris, and Napoleon was exiled. His 1815 return to power, called his “Hundred Days,” ended in defeat by the English at Waterloo.

The monarchy was restored but was followed by the Second Republic (1848–52) and then the Second Empire (1852–70) under Napoleon III. Defeat by Germany led to the Third Republic in 1871. France was a battleground during both world wars. It was occupied by Germany between 1940 and 1944 and was the site of the D-Day invasion that turned the tide of World War II in favor of the Allies. The Fourth Republic was declared in 1946; it was followed by the Fifth Republic in 1958, with Charles de Gaulle as president. France was a founding member of the European Community and is a central force in today’s European Union (EU).

In 1968, students and workers protested over poor working conditions and a rigid educational system; their protests France resulted in lasting social change. The 1968 events were still fresh in the public’s mind when students in the early 1990s took to the streets, protesting conditions in public schools and proposed changes in wage laws. The social unrest and economic problems led
three successive prime ministers to resign. Internal politics were more stable until massive rioting broke out among suburban youth in 2005.

France was part of the first wave of EU countries to join Europe’s common currency, the euro. However, the French people voted against the EU constitution in 2005, despite support from the governing and major opposition parties. Nicolas Sarkozy, elected in May 2007, has called for a simplified treaty to be ratified by France in place of the EU constitution.

General Attitudes
The French measure success by educational level, family reputation, and financial status. Among the most patriotic people in the world, they are extremely proud of their culture, heritage, and way of life. This patriotism fosters a general expectation that visitors have some knowledge
of French and show appreciation for French culture. Although the country is very multicultural, it seeks to maintain its identity by resisting the growing popularity (especially among young people) of cheap fast food, foreign sitcoms, and American music. The government restricts the percentage of non- French entertainment on national radio and television channels. The French are reserved and private but tend to be more hospitable outside Paris. Politeness is valued in human interaction, and S’il vous plaît (Please) is a common phrase. While Parisian values have traditionally directed French attitudes, the current trend is toward a general decentralization. Political and social trends have caused the French to reexamine their national identity. This introspection has led some to predict that French society will experience fundamental change during the next generation. Areas of change may include education, immigration, economics, the central government’s structure, or even language.
Greetings
When greeting someone other than a friend, a handshake is customary. The French handshake is a light grip and a single, quick shake. Generally, a woman does not offer her hand to a man but instead waits for him to initiate the greeting. If their hands are dirty or wet, some French will offer their elbow or arm to shake. Women customarily are kissed on both cheeks by male and female friends. Men only kiss the cheeks of males who are relatives or close friends. When people give kisses, they generally just touch cheeks and “kiss the air.” The number of kisses given varies by region and ranges from two to four. Standard phrases for greeting include Bonjour (Good day) and Comment allez-vous? or the more informal Ça va? (both meaning “How are you?”). Greetings are usually combined with the person’s name or a title and always precede any conversation or request. Good-bye is Au revoir (Until we meet again) or the less formal A bientôt (See you soon). A favorite among young people is Salut for both greeting and parting. Friends and close colleagues use first names; otherwise, professional titles and titles such as Monsieur (Mr.), Madame (Mrs.), and Mademoiselle (Miss) are common.

Gestures
The “okay” sign used in the United States (a rounded index finger touching the tip of the thumb) means “zero” to the French. The French gesture for “okay” is the “thumbs up” sign. Slapping the open palm over a closed fist is vulgar and should be avoided. Sitting with legs spread apart is impolite for women; one should sit straight with knees together or with legs crossed at the knee. Feet are not placed on tables or chairs. The French are careful about their personal habits, being discreet when sneezing, blowing the nose, etc. They do not use personal items, such as combs and toothpicks, in public. It is improper to speak with one’s hands in one’s pockets or to chew gum in public.

Visiting
The French are formal in their visiting customs, and people do not often visit unannounced. Guests usually arrive on time because punctuality is a sign of courtesy. However, for some social events it is also polite to arrive a few minutes late, allowing the hosts extra time for final preparations. Guests do not enter a home until invited inside. They generally sit where the host directs. It is a polite gesture to bring candy, wine, or flowers to the hostess, except red roses (reserved for romantic love) and chrysanthemums (used in cemeteries). When ending a visit, a guest waits for a polite silence before rising. At the door, small talk, expressions of thanks, and repeated goodbyes
continue; it is impolite to be in a hurry to leave. At mealtime, the conversation is appreciated as much as the food, though it is best to avoid personal questions and topics such as religion or money. The hosts should be complimented on the meal; good cooking is a matter of pride in French homes.

Eating
Etiquette is important to the French. Both hands remain above the table at all times. A man may rest his wrists, and a woman her forearms, on the table edge. One does not place the elbows on the table. The French eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right. Lettuce is folded into small pieces with the fork but never cut. Fruit is peeled and cut with a knife and eaten with a fork. Bread, eaten with every meal, is broken with the fingers and used to wipe the plate. It can also be used to push food onto the fork; in this case, the bread is held in the left hand and the fork in the right. One places the knife and fork parallel across the plate when finished. Formal lunches and dinners may last more than two hours, with as many as eight to twelve courses. Social meals begin with an appetizer; then hors d’oeuvres; a course of fish, pasta, or something cooked in a crust or sauce; the main course with vegetables, salad, cheese, and fruit; and then a dessert. Coffee and sometimes liquor finish the evening. A typical family meal has two to four courses. Meals with extended family can last up to four hours. When eating out, the person who invites or makes the suggestion is the one who pays. Wine is consumed with most meals, except breakfast; numerous varieties are available. Unless certain of its high quality, foreign guests should not give wine as a gift.

Family
Both the nuclear family and the extended family are seen as important in France. Many people visit their grandparents at least monthly, and aunts, uncles, and cousins are part of everyday life. However, some are now moving away from their extended families to work or study. Still, many children remain at home until they finish their education, and families enjoy getting together when possible, often on Sundays. Most families enjoy a comfortable standard of living, although class distinctions are still fairly visible. The average French family has one or two children. Pets outnumber children in France and receive special attention.

Personal Appearance
In general, the French take great care to dress well, whether they are wearing formal or casual attire, and they feel more at ease with visitors who show the same degree of attention to appearance. Paris is home to many of the world’s leading fashion designers. Professional attire, depending on the business and location, tends to be formal. Parisians dress more formally than people in other cities. In the southern sunbelt, dress is more casual but not less stylish.