Don't Say or Do This To a French Person I Faux Pas in France

It's not always a walk in the park trying to decode the social norms of a new country! And you can easily annoy a french person without even realizing you are doing it! But have no fear, i'm here to help in today's video with 6 things you should never say or do to a French person. Or as the French say so perfectly, "les faux pas en France."
Etiquette in France is not always easy to decode and there are a lot of unwritten social rules in France. I tried to focus on today's video about some of the more not so obvious "what not to do in France." So get ready for some social faux pas to avoid, some French culture tips and let me know in the comments section any tips you have for people!
#whatnotosaytoafrenchperson #fauxpasinfrance
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Wanna know how to cut French cheese properly?
www.aucp-leblog.com/7-tips-fo...
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Check out some of my other culture shock videos!
USA Culture Shocks: • USA CULTURE SHOCKS | W...
The French Do It Better: • REVERSE CULTURE SHOCKS...
French Culture Shocks: • FRENCH CULTURE SHOCKS ...
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[@dikkiedik53]

Bonjour, I'm from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I visit France almost every summer vacation for half a century now. I see a change in France. When I was a teenager, almost only a single teenager dared to speak English with me. I started learning a little French language when I was 11 at school, even before I started learning English. My parents both spoke Dutch, English, German and French, so I learned those languages too, a little bit. So I always am speaking French in every day vacation life. Later on more and more people at the desks of campings started to speak English. The last few years French people hear me practising my French and start asking me to speak Engish with them to practice, sometimes after complimenting me for my French :-). It happens everywhere, on the market, the sellers. In shops, not only the shopkeeper and staff, but also from young to old French people. I'm almost sure President Macron is a boost to French people wanting to speak English. In the Elzas region I asked some French men from my age some information. They wanted to speak German with me. I always have a lot of pleasure in France. About greeting in the language of the country you are in, that is valid everywhere. It opens doors so to say. The boldest example. Once we visited the Czech Republic. I was behind a German man, who behaved arrogant and greeted in German ... The camping boss told him "kein platz, alles ist reserviert." I was worried we had to look for an other campsite. The German man left and I greeted in my best Czech "Dobrý den", the man at the desk smiled. I tried to ask him in my best Czech if he had a place for us. He smiled, asked in German if we were Dutch and told me he had enough places free! Later he told me he was from an originally German speaking family. But he was alergic for Germans who not properly greeted him. He had suffered during WW2. au revoir... bonne journée

[@johnwatson9879]

Very interesting stories, sir!

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Ich bin totalement einig with your opinion...;)

[@fabienneroure9995]

Dick Wools I really enjoyed reading your story! I'm originally from France (Provence) and now live in Canada. I'm 58 and have been living in Canada for over 40 years and the funny thing is when I go to France they call me the Canadian because according to them I have a Canadian accent! In Canada everybody asks me if I'm from France because of my French accent! So in Canada I'm French and in France I'm Canadian LOL !!! I absolutely love both countries dearly! Happy New Year!

[@henrimichelpierreplana4332]

I live abroad for 24 years, and each time I come back to France I see changes in that area. In train stations for example, no way in the, even early 90s, to have a desk employee speaking english or spanish. Then the 1998 world cup happened... and I saw the difference before and after the world cup...

[@lijohnyoutube101]

Wow that’s immature, a person should do their job. Getting insulted for a language choice. What a child! That’s insane!

[@vaudou74]

"yeah , i ve visited France", "cool where?", "what where?Paris of course!"..... ATTTACCCKKKKKK!!!!!!

[@DinoAlberini]

reminds me of those Tabulistan terrorists in “Vive la France”

[@smolbean.]

I mean you did visit france... Am I not getting this?

[@gwillis01]

@@smolbean. Vaudou74 is saying that Paris is not the only place in France that deserves visits from tourists. There are nice places to visit outside of Paris.

[@smolbean.]

@@gwillis01 Sure, but to say Paris isn't France is ridiculous. It's better to say see bordeaux or visit Provence instead of pretending Paris isn't France.

[@smolbean.]

@Nylthanyr IV No I grasp it fine. He visited Paris which is the capital of France.

[@moovonrie3234]

Bonjour, je suis française et assez d'accord avec ce qui est dit, sauf pour le fromage des supermarchés. On a du vrai fromage dans nos supermarchés en France, il y a aussi du fromage industriel mais on est pas obligé d'aller en fromagerie pour trouver du bon fromage. Après c'est toujours mieux d'aller acheter en fromagerie ou chez le producteur directement mais de là à dire que ce n'est pas du vrai fromage... D'ailleurs la plupart des français achète leur formage au supermarché.

[@jupiteralm5593]

👍👍

[@susanfudge1737]

Don't say "hey, you'd be speaking German if it weren't for us."

[@magicmarvel]

Oh please do! I just wanna retaliate with “You’d still be bowing to a queen if it weren’t for Lafayette!” 😝

[@rushdialrashed9627]

@@magicmarvel 😂

[@braylenkorbyn9267]

i guess im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@makaizaid1929]

@Braylen Korbyn Instablaster =)

[@trevj8604]

@@magicmarvel false

[@ga77rnier]

I'm french and fond of your videos because I 've learnt so many things about the american way of thinking and understand better the misunderstandings between us. It is most often due to education, culture ... When we share opinions with humour and kindness as you do we understand better our differences and accept them more easily. I really think these kind of videos can improve the relations also by questionning also about french rules sometimes. Always interesting.

[@evelynbaron2004]

I reply in English and think you are too kind. Much too kind.

[@knucklehoagies]

The bonjour thing is so true. I was at CDG airport heading back home and as I was walking up to security to put my stuff on the conveyer belt, the woman working kinda stood there and sternly said “bonjour!” At me like she was expecting me to say it first. I said bonjour back and I think she realized I was a foreigner and cut me some slack. But yeah.... every single interaction, even the most mundane places like in line at an airport, you say bonjour otherwise it’s seen as rude and kind of cocky. The French take formal greetings very seriously compared to us Americans who have gotten so used to being casual and blasé about it.

[@danieleallen648]

oh agreed

[@leolight5369]

About cheese (and food in general) : - These days you can definitely find good cheese at supermarkets. Supermarket chains have really improved and made deals with small cheese producers, hence private labels like Reflet de France, Nos Régions ont du Talent etc. - Some French people like to eat their cheese with salad, and that's not frowned upon. - About cutting cheese : very simple, always leave a triangle shape.

[@padbra]

Not to be tacky, but leaving a triangle shape on a Neufchatel or a Cantal (or even a Brie) might be quite shocking actually. This trick works only for round shaped cheeses (plus you might want to cut it like a pizza slice, not just a random triangle).

[@leolight5369]

@@padbra Not sure I understand what you mean. All I'm saying is that when you cut a slice of Brie, Cantal whatever, always make sure to leave the tip of the cheese pointy. I'm sure this will help : snippetsofparis.com/how-to-cut-cheese/

[@padbra]

​@@leolight5369 It's written on the site actually, with Cantal we prefer to cut it straight, as well as "bûche" type of cheese like Ste Maure etc...

[@ericsorbier3392]

"Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir" is the phrase I've gotten the most talking to American women, at first it is amusing, after I wanted to roll my eyes.

[@domif.b.7657]

I "almost" got married to an Australian man and over there I was told over and over again we French don't wash and similar stuff...yep, some of these stereotypes are annoying

[@rushdialrashed9627]

Which ones u think touch their clitros more? The American or the French ones?!

[@reyhugo4879]

@@rushdialrashed9627 probably the North African’s

[@davidkeys7310]

My French is getting better. I actually understood what "Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir" meant when I just read it.

[@Heimrik01]

@ericsorbier3392 Si elle est jolie, je réponds oui ;-)

[@TheCMLion]

Great video! Always learning something watching you. I'm always conscious that when I'm in France, I'm a visitor, so I do all I can not to act judge-y about French culture. I've heard some great conversations/arguments in bars, but I try and remain absolutely silent (a great difficulty for me and my big mouth). Also, I feel I'm representing my country (in a small way) and I don't want to act like a fool and cause people to dislike America (more than they may already do). I do tease my husband with French stereotypes, particularly the Maurice Chevalier laugh: "boh-huoh-huoh!" His counter is to say, "Yee-HAW!" Which makes me laugh. I never realized how often The Simpsons mock the French until I watched it with my husband. He goes nuts... which makes me laugh harder.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

So true for the laugh! I think its really interesting the different sounds the French make compared to the states. I remember being surprised that "yum" was "miam" before i moved here. Or that the laugh on a cartoon isn't the same!

[@everytimeieatsnowitscold5277]

"I don't want to act like a fool" : be yourself ! always better ;)

[@shatterquartz]

"Just because they don't wave the French flag in front of their house or pledge allegiance to the French flag every morning like we do in America does not mean that they're not proud of where they come from." Preach it, sister! French people are confident in their patriotism, and so they don't feel a need to shove it in everyone's faces all the time. As seen from this side of the pond, American-style patriotism comes across as performative, in the same way that men who are insecure about their masculinity engage in exaggerated displays of macho dominance.

[@miragen125]

Ah ah ah that's so true mate ! Everything is a competition over there.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

very interesting comparison! Patriosm is way more understanded here but still really important!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Got to agree with that too! We have such a competitive streak in the states ESPECIALLY when it comes to sports... and lately politics ;)

[@thierryf67]

I add, that emphatic exhibition of the flag, except in special occasion, is often seen has a demonstration of Nationalism... not only Patriotism. And we all know in Europe were can lead the bad ways of Nationalisms. We don't mix Patriotism, a vertue usefull in bad times, to fight against adversity. But lot of people don't see Nationalism has a good thing.

[@virginiav.1172]

@@thierryf67 I agree, and in the US there is little understanding of the difference between the two things. I say this as a US citizen.

[@georgiancrossroads]

Mais oui, bien sur. I have learned that when eating with the French follow their lead, especially with wine or cheese. When talking don't be afraid to express serious opinions, but when it comes to France listen and learn until you actually know something. (Especially since you have no idea what politics your French folks hold. ) The French indulge much less of the endless jokey postmodern references to pop culture than we do, so don't compare things to Game of Thrones or Star Wars, etc., even if they've seen them. And you are absolutely right, don't have a cow over strike culture. Thanks Kate for sharing your faux pas and wisdom learned therein.

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

I don't agree with the references to pop culture. I'm French and most of my friends and I speak with a lot of references to Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Lord Of The Rings etc etc. It depends on the age of the people around you I guess. People over 50 won't talk with that kind of references but people between 16 and 40 will I think.

[@georgiancrossroads]

@@alfinou_13targaryen I am corrected. Thanks. I guess these things are getting global. I guess I'm thinking of a specific kind of American geekiness.

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

@@georgiancrossroads I think I know what you mean because I remember that when I started to watch American TV series in their original version 18 years ago, I was surprised by the amount of references to American pop culture in those TV series. That doesn't mean that we don't do it in France but I guess you're right, we don't do it as often as you guys do!

[@georgiancrossroads]

@@alfinou_13targaryen I think the problem in America is that many people know far more about the MCU and their favorite video gaming universe than they do about American history or even the existence of Europe or Asia or Africa. One thing I get from going to Europe is a sense of how much more I need to learn.

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

@@georgiancrossroadsit was very interesting chatting with you, thank you for being so honest!

[@anne12876]

Side story about Corsicans In 2014, I went to Corsica for my summer vacations. We were camping in the mountains so I went to see the person how managed the spot to pay our night. (All the conversation was in French) Me: Hi! I would like to pay for our night. Old Corsican: You’re a Quebecer (Québécois)! Me: I think my accent has betrayed me. Old Corsican: Ah! But we shouldn’t say Quebecer, we should say Canadian! (With a condescendent tone of voice referring to the fact that Quebec is still part of Canada after two referendums on its independency) Me: Sir, then a Corsican is French. Old Corsican: No, not at all, the same thing! We’re not French! Me: So... (And point made!)

[@j-loosenfout67]

Hello Anne, France built its territory by using natural borders to make state borders. To the north "La Manche", to the west the Atlantic, to the east the Rhine and the mountains (Alps), to the south the mountains (Pyrenees) and the Mediterranean. Unfortunately for it, Corsica is an island which is strategically (geographically) too close to our country for us to allow it to be annexed by another power. If Corsica were not French, it would end up being annexed anyway by a neighboring power. Today the majority of Corsicans are pro France. Because after all, France is not such a bad deal for Corsicans.

[@jeanaymart130]

@@j-loosenfout67 : La Corse aurait été annexée par l'Angleterre, comme port militaire stratégique contre la France. Ah, ces Anglais ...

[@vitofee]

@@j-loosenfout67 technically, Corsica was stollen by France to Gènes. Genes first asked for help to Handle Corsica, then gènes almost collapsed and then when they asked France to stop handling Corsica, they refused. This is part of why Corsican sometimes feels more italians than French, Corsican never Lost a War, and technically, Genes did not Lost Corsica during a War. It is a very specific History :-) Anyway, that was 200 years ago, Corsica benefited from gènes, from France, they are mostly happy liké that, I don't See why it should change

[@catherineg6861]

Very hypocritical and not nice to correct you as if you don’t know. Although I’m now wondering what my friends in Quebec think about being separate from Canada. I’ve never even thought to ask them as there was never reason to. Perhaps because I know it’s so much more different than the rest of Canada? 🤷‍♀️ I will admit that friends of theirs who are québécois that we’ve met were not too keen to speak English or did not speak very well. In Montreal you could also tell they would much rather not speak English unless it was because we’re American 😂 I’m sure people get annoyed that quite a bit of us are monolingual lol

[@anne12876]

@@catherineg6861 Usually, I don't mind being called a Canadian. When abroad, I often present myself as Canadian. It was just absurd to have this sort of comments from population known to have a strong independent movement. It was more a case of "Don't correct my nationality if you don't want yours to be corrected." I would never tell to a Scot that he/she is a Brit or the same with a Catalan or a Basque. It would be very indelicate. Be extra careful if you ask your Quebecer friends how they feel about Quebec independency. It's a very touchy subject. Even among us, we don't really talk about it. We feel it's too divisive, especially in Montreal. If you want to know where the movement comes from, I could shine some light on the subject. Language is also another sensible subject.

[@susanfudge1737]

Aa a Georgian, I'd like to inform people that Georgia is not Atlanta.

[@isabellem1945]

Hi, fun fact: from an academic standpoint "Excusez-moi !" is to be avoided. It is because using the imperative amounts to be saying "Hey, forgive me!". Admittedly it is widely used, by myself included, but the correct form, at least to be used in writing is "Je vous prie de m'excuser." That said, it is way more polite than saying "Pardon !" while shoving people aside to cram oneself inside a chock full metro. ;-)

[@pjalexandra]

Yes to the difference between Paris and other areas. That's like assuming Toronto is Canada--no way. I lived in the south near Italian border for several months and the food, land, accent, culture, pace of life very different. I had originally hoped to be posted in Paris and was disappointed when I ended up in Eze Village. But now, I'm so grateful I got to have such an intimate daily experience living in that part of the world.

[@iys6890]

True! Many people just think Toronto is Canada and that's it lol

[@chrisstad]

Funny video. I like your way of pointing out my French culture. Keep up the good work. I just subscribed too.

[@SamFournier]

I love French accents, thanks for the heads up. Haha. I’ve only been in France for 4 months so this is all good to know.

[@vino140]

This is excellent advice! Merci !

[@chauvinflorent8245]

Très sympa :) Tout ce que tu dis est vrai ça sent le vécu ^^

[@christinelachance8012]

Bonjour Madame! Très bon épisode! Comme d’habitude...

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Merci Christine! :)

[@leejay2418]

Excellent reminders Kate, for me as I am learning french. :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Glad you liked it!

[@hassenmh2850]

Good one 👏🏽

[@darkenrahl2469]

Always good to have the point of view of an outsider. Not easy to point out stereo typical things when you're too used to it!

[@hicetnuncmonamour]

Bonjour, 5:39 best punchline ! I laughed a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheGrandy123]

3:33 we, french, are known as speaking english very well in europe 😨 maybe I am too old but isnt it the contrary?? Danish, german, swedish, etc are the one talking better than us are their language is almost not spoken outside their country 🤔 But it is true we dont like people pointing out our accent because, for us, it sounds ridiculous and we usually tru hard to "hide" it.😋

[@Sadi_K]

I think you misunderstood her, she actually says "French aren't exactly known in Europe for speaking English very well..." ;-)

[@thierryf67]

@@Sadi_K true, sometimes i, too, didn't hear the negative form.... may be, because i'm french, too ?

[@Sadi_K]

@@thierryf67 Well I'm French too but I heard it pretty clearly maybe because I'm accustomed to the American accent (I lived in NY state for a while when I was younger). If you listen closely, her "aren't" sounds a bit like a french "en / an" ending with a T sound (I don't know if I'm making any sense lol). "are" wouldn't sound that way at all. Well, maybe I'm just too used to the American accent, and that's why I find her intelligible :-)

[@italixgaming915]

A la première écoute j'ai eu un doute moi aussi mais effectivement elle dit "aren't". On n'entend pas le "t" mais la voyelle ne laisse pas de doute.

[@thepolitix1008]

Merci j’adore vraiment toute ta chaîne :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Merci beaucoup!

[@jeanaymart130]

Thanks, really nice ! Point 4 and 5 made me specially lough :p Anf, about my french accent... I'm very proud of it, and I'm keeping it alive. Because it helped me having so many girlfriends in foreign countries :p

[@sams3015]

I just found this. I love you’re videos & energy

[@ravomusic502]

*Unintentionally Frenchified* That was so good my friend💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 And i am looking for your next video💙

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thank you!

[@thelittlemoonpie8934]

J'adore tes vidéos et comment tu présentes les choses, c'est toujours top ! :D

[@shayladeluy1291]

Cool,merci.

[@08taw94]

05:05 Thank you to say it so clearly to every one. You are sooo right !

[@olivierclaverie6722]

This is pretty accurate, but you can find nowadays a corner in most big supermarket with real cheese. Just aside the traditional "industrial" cheese. At least in Bordeaux. But I don't know if in some lost territory of France, as Paris, it exists. Poor of them... 😝

[@alexwyler4570]

i love the blue of your shirt! it suits you so well! is it hard to find wool sweaters in France or are they going plastic like the rest of the world? Thank You!

[@annepoitrineau5650]

It is easier to find real woolen sweaters in continental Europe than in the UK. Don't know about the USA.

[@valeriewyndham1381]

You know it and you are so french!! 😍 bravo 🤣 Valerie from NH🇺🇲

[@Hide_and_silk]

I had a very clear lesson from our local maire when we arrived in France! Circular cheeses (like brie) are cut horizontally and vertically NOT into segments. It now annoys me to see cheeses cut radially when we are visiting the UK!

[@alexwyler4570]

ooh i am a French Canadian ( first Canadian ancestor born in Quebec city in 1622) living in the States for the last 35 years. I never knew you needed to say " Excuse me " when meeting a clerk in a store. i always say a timid : " Hello.." then wait for them to turn around and help me. 35 years! A possible future video idea? a video to help french people how to handle American customs in the USA?

[@ChronicNewb]

"If you happen to cut the cheese the wrong way" is unintentionally very funny

[@remil.6647]

Hi Kate, Thanks for this video. One the best of your channel. Two things to ad if you're ok. First, fromageries don't always exist in "Province" (rest of France for English speakers). Like a lot of shops, a lot of them closed. So, supermarkets are sometimes, the only place to have cheese. Supermarkets are bigger in "Province" than in Paris so you may have the main cheese available in a specific part of the supermarket with someone to cut it. They're not industrial but off course, it's not like in a fromagerie. You can't have the advice you have in specialized shops. Second, you're right about cliches about French and American people. The main cause is, mostly, ignorance. People try to mock they don't know to feel superior to others, sadly. For your culture, may I mention this report from TF1 just before the Election on the agro-business in Iowa. www.lci.fr/international/video-agriculture-intensive-aux-etats-unis-l-empire-de-la-malbouffe-2168147.html

[@mathpr]

As always, very nice video ! I have 1 comment about cheese and your statement it's not real one if it's from supermarket: according to me, it's more about industrial cheese (most of the time pasteurised) vs "real" cheese (you can find some in supermarkets in "à la coupe" area and of course in "fromageries") Take care 🙂

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Yes I agree: a lot of supermarkets will have an "artisan cheese" section.

[@TahoCmoi]

And no cheese factory within 30 km around my home. However, it is impossible to do the weekly shopping without at least 3 different cheeses. I'm forced to buy it in the supermarket. 😛

[@KestrelM117]

Vidéo très sympa, merci ! Récemment, j'ai voyagé en Allemagne où j'ai parlé en anglais (ne parlant pas allemand), et... j'étais mortifiée de m'apercevoir que TOUT LE MONDE comprenait que j'étais Française en 15 secondes chrono à cause de mon accent. Alors que je pensais avoir un accent anglais satisfaisant. (Bon, une fois ou deux on m'a prise pour une italienne aussi, comme je suis près de la frontière je parle avec les mains haha !) C'est vrai que nous sommes sensibles à ce propos ! xD

[@elaineginger122]

tout le monde sait qui sont les anglophones en français aussi!

[@LauraMorland]

Welcome to the club! Whenever I open my mouth in France, I am pegged as an anglophone. There's nothing that you or I can do about it. If you pick up a language after puberty, it's impossible (except for certain preternaturally gifted people) to speak the second language without an accent. Our phonemes are hired-wired into our brain-tongue connection. We can work to improve our accents, but we will always be repérés en 15 secondes chrono ! (Last month, somebody asked me in Paris if I was Polish, and I was thrilled! I've always wished I had an accent that nobody knew.)

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Avoir un accent satisfaisant ne veut pas dire qu'il n'est pas reconnaissable! Just work on the stereotypes: th, stress, length of syllables, diphthongs. People cannot tell I am French, not because I have no accent, but because it is not stereotypical: th/wrong stress/ etc. As nobody really knows what the Swis sound like, it being so small, they are relieved to hear I am Swiss... because they cannot conceive of a French person not being stereotypical and that DOES get on my nerves...(only part Swiss, and Swiss German at that, I could tell you stories about my Swiss German accent, which I have no intention of ever losing, in Germany). It is not about having or not having an accent, it is about making the effort to learn and be really understandable. I would like to be accent free, I am not, but I can do a good Scottish --Irish, Newcastle-- impression in English all the same ;)

[@annepoitrineau5650]

@@LauraMorland Way to go Laura: work on it until you are past the stereotypes, thre is nothing wrong with having an accent. It is not that you have to be supernaturally gifted: it comes down to how much time you can invest in it. You can re-wire your hearing and the muscles of your mouth/pharynx, but is the time investment worth the return? Actually, past a certain point, in most cases, it won't be.

[@LauraMorland]

@@annepoitrineau5650 Yes, I've considered going to an orthophoniste here in Paris to "re-wire the muscles of my mouth." I don't expect to end up with *no* accent, just less of one. Maybe this will be the year! As for "re-wiring my hearing" I'm not sure what you mean by that, or if you mean what I think you mean, how exactly it will help. I have very happily reached the point where I understand every word said to me (even very fast speech, if articulated properly in a Parisian accent), but my speaking hasn't improved to the same degree as my hearing. I did have a woman ask me the other day if I was Polish (I am blonde), and that pleased me no end. She was the first person not to ask if I am English (I am American)!

[@sophiastern2133]

Wonderful ,,,you are ,..and So o o correct 😉

[@deadtonk5527]

I was like " nah we are chill, you can say "excuse me" right away if you add " i am sorry to bother you" then the next title come and i was like " YEAH YOU DON'T DESERVE THE KNIFE IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROPRELY CUT EVERY PIECE OF FRENCH CHEESE !!!! DID I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR ??!! "

[@thierryrebillard6432]

J'aime beaucoup vos vidéos elles sont fraîches et marrantes continuez comme ça , votre époux a de la chance d'avoir a ses côtés une femme jolie et brillante comme vous .

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Merci Thierry, je vais lui passer le message :) haha

[@gwillis01]

As a person who lives in America but not New York or Los Angeles, I hate those people who say that LA and New York are the only important cities in America.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Yep, hurray for Boston, Seattle and Chicago!

[@gwillis01]

@@annepoitrineau5650 Another vote for the glory and beauty of Chicago.

[@bigabenoit]

I so fully agree to put a cheese on our flag... but which one ? (years of debate incoming and some strike after the decision) Thanks for your videos it's make me laugh every time about my self and my people because most of it is true. I've checked the cuting cheese convention and i do it, even not knowing it.... that the way i've been raised. :-)

[@clemenceriotteau725]

ahah ouais ... for the flag we can do something like " Fourme d'Ambert / Fromage de chèvre/ tomme du berry" instead of "bleu/ Blanc/ rouge" Or even roquefort/chèvre/vin rouge... à débattre.

[@clemenceriotteau725]

I think the cheese's flag can fluctuate depending of the countryside.

[@vdayucla]

@@clemenceriotteau725 | Yes, but everyone knows Camembert is the most French of French cheeses. Even in France, finding genuine Camembert that's made from raw milk is rare!

[@clemenceriotteau725]

@@vdayucla Camembert is the most famous cheese abroad And of course it is famous in France too but... perhaps it like a "cliché "... camembert is very good but not the only one to be good and not the only one who deserve to be known. To reduce France at one cheese would be so sad ! Every cheese as his own story :p

[@clemenceriotteau725]

Et là je me dit... "Clem t'a abusé ! " lool

[@rbux24]

Agree with most of what you said. I would like to see the experience other American men married to a French wife, as is my case. Still trying to figure her out, but she is mostly great. So many stories and similar observations. I love France, but my biggest complaint would be the strikes and how it amounts to taking hostages (had an experience with burning tires, attack dogs, mercenaries, fire hoses...). Also, spend most of my time in the Alpes. Paris is nice to visit occasionally, but not my cup of tea.

[@nico_dudu913]

Absolutely cheese need to be cut in the proper way!!! 😂 this is so true my wife is not french and I do correct her about how to cut cheese which is so strange to her!

[@yankeemike-so6jm]

Bonjour, I love it. I have been living in the States for 28 years. I agree with all you report! :) J'ai bien rigolé. C'est meilleur qu'un petit pain au chocolat. Oui, bon, le fromage, d'accord, c'est très important. On peut aller dans des restos de tartines et de bon vins où tu peux manger que du fromton sur de très bonnes tranches de pain, le tout bien rincé par des petites coulées de vins extras. Tu devrais faire une autre vidéo sur la charcuterie . Et puis il y a la culture des "bouchons" de Lyon. Enfin tu peux familiariser des auditeurs avec la culture des bistrots qui sont si différents des bars, si ouverts aux humains et chiens de tous âges.

[@toddboothbee1361]

The US could use a little more strike culture. Keep those politicians in line!

[@honeyfitz3791]

This is great stuff. VERY useful. Thanks. And if anyone watching this thinks etiquette in France is complicated, try Japan.

[@emilietrodet8703]

I'm French and I agree with this video 100% ! hahaha

[@cmolodiets]

I used to leave outside of Paris, 20 years ago, and I don't remember the local inhabitants constantly reminding me of the fact that Paris isn't France. I noticed a lot of hatred recently toward Parisians, specially on social networks, people saying that parisians are snobs, full of themselves, scornfull and their city is actually pretty ugly, dirty and polluted. That trend tends to go along with the wave of hatred toward the establishment that seems to sweep the world. That trend caused the gilets jaunes' movement, had Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro elected and feed conspiracy theories. Paris is seen as the location of the powerful , wealthy persons, of the liberal media. The interest of the parisian elite is said to prevail over the interest of the People.

[@veraciteabsolue1221]

It is not recent. Truth is 1) Paris is the 100% capital (largest city, head of companies, siege of administration) like London but contrary to USA, Italy, Germany... as a result there is no genuine Parisian 2) People of province (France outside Paris) realize that they are not part of the elite/whealthiest area. 3) Paris is opened to new comers contrary to people of province.

[@Sergecalifornia]

I really love your video, but your last video are from two years ago or one year ago, you should make more of them. Like every few months. Or every season, it is a suggestion, merci d'avance.

[@reveliant]

Someone pointed Ile de France, but even the smaller Paris metropolitan area (banlieue / petite couronne) is not Paris and its inhabitants might feel insulted or belittled to be compare to Parisians as that's not exactly the same way of life. For example, you stroll less (or not at all) in banlieue, public transportation system is less dense and you'll need or have usage of a car more frequently...

[@vdayucla]

Me, if I ever immigrate to Paris, I'll likely settle in the 20th arrondissement, the most working-class part of Paris. It's not just because it's cheaper but because it's where many minorities and immigrants live, and to me that's the "real" Paris. I have the same perspective when I visit Las Vegas. I'm less interested in the glitzy Strip and more interested in the outlying suburbs where the Strip's workers live. To me that's the "real" Vegas, where the folks who make the glitz possible live!

[@sergepoire4383]

A bit old fashioned ideas here like buying cheese in a cheese shop. You should review a bit french habits.

[@triciabishop5822]

Hi, FYI your link on cutting cheese does not take you to your video. Maybe it's been hacked?

[@robertbriquet]

Yes, I am in the basque country.

[@StormWolf01]

3:30. "Something to keep in mind is that the french are actually known in europe for speaking english very well". If that was meant to be a joke, then it was a very good one. I laughed.

[@MotheroftheOcean]

Yeah...I was thinking the same thing.

[@noefillon1749]

Aren't*

[@liloruf2838]

ARENT actually known.. Just listen to her!

[@dezafinado]

I think she said "aren't". All the surrounding countries - Holland, Belgium, Switzerlamd and Germany - blow France out of their Chardonnay.

[@allie9452]

Haha, a cheese on the flag would never pass... because NO WAY we could agree on which one to use! XD

[@nathalieast6179]

I see it's already been pointed out, but most of french people do buy their cheese at the supermarket. Of course there is always the very industrial cheese, but also many traditional one, there is always in the biggest supermarket a fromagerie corner with cheese "a la coupe" 🙂. Going to a big city fromagerie is a bit a fancy thing. But we do love going to fromagerie in countryside or village market, most of time its cheaper (cause there is no intermediate) and feel more authentic 🙂

[@nathalieast6179]

But see as real french, we always have a critics (critic are not always something bad or mean) and we always forget to compliment for the rest : i really loved this video, you've got all the thing on point !! 👏👏👏

[@j-loosenfout67]

5.50 mn ..."Et on sait qui gagne et qui perd dans un débat avec des français" :)))

[@qT1ify]

Damn some straight facts here . "Un repas sans fromage c'est comme ........" hahaha. We are Proud of the sports for sure but then when it comes to politics its clearly another topic.

[@abcxyz-cx4mr]

I’m talking to french guys on a dating app, none of them talk about politics which is disappointing since I’m passionate about politics and thought french people were too

[@qT1ify]

@@abcxyz-cx4mr we are but its like 50/50 or you can openly talk about it or dont

[@cybulskiya8725]

Can you do a video on verlan please haha 😭

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Ive got a video about 50 slang words that definitely include verlan too here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnezgXSeg61-jrs

[@cybulskiya8725]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified oh i didnt see that thank u!

[@krasnoiark]

I have never heard someone say we don't shower where does this come from ? Like I would say it should be the inverse. We like to stay clean, I met some people from eastern europe actually not shower and clean behind them never have I seen that in France

[@SylvainBOSSON-og8fi]

Exactly Kate my ears and my nose have vérified your truth about your lovely report.

[@natl5692]

Most horrifying thing I've ever witnessed : cheese in a can

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

hahaha! I didnt mention the cheese in a can, but to be fair, i don't really like that either even before i moved to France!

[@kesleygeorge6093]

🤢

[@MrMenclay36]

I'm french and i never heard about that. I think most of the people here would find it disgusting. Cheese is a religion here !

[@jnewmark41]

how about snails....stinky rotten cheese...smoking in your face.... THAT is horrifying

[@natl5692]

@@jnewmark41 I don't eat snails, Cheese are rotten any way you eat, and we don't eat smoke

[@annepoitrineau5650]

The issue of ze french accent... (The Spanish, Italian and Portuguese speakers have similar issues by the way)...Anybody looking at a French and an English text will notice the LARGE number of words which are either similar or exactly the same (whether meaning the same or not). It is actually very difficult to "mis-pronounce" a word you have "pronounced correctly" for the whole of your life. I try to use the checker and chess analogy with my students: the board may look the same, but rules etc are NOT the same. That's point one. Point two: French's intonation (stress/emphasis) is very different, and we are actually never taught that we have such a thing as intonation (stress/emphasis), so we are not trained to listen to this part of the English language. When in doubt, we will always stress incorrectly: French: CAthedrale--English caTHEdral--We are also not trained to recognise long and short syllables: chip/cheap. Finally: most English speaking French are really proud of the fact they can understand everything they read and do not write badly...and rest on their laurels for the pesky rest (listening/speaking). I agree about strikes: governments do not hand out social benefits unless you demand them forcefully. Only the Swiss (small nation where everybody knows everybody else) get stuff out of bilateral discussions, but even they have had strikes etc in the past. Vive les greves! Felicitations pour le passeport!! Every non-French speaker English speaker will get the meaning of this last half sentence...point made ;)

[@italixgaming915]

7:22 That is actually not true. You can find real "fromageries" inside supermarkets (like bakeries, fish and butcher shops).

[@lephilistin]

It's very easy to annoy french people. Hey, I'm doing it right now!

[@annepoitrineau5650]

??

[@SylvainBOSSON-og8fi]

Exactly like you, i always say excuse me , and a lot of french reply boujour first.

[@kimc555]

I’m curious about life, customs, habits, routines, etc of non-professional French people. Ppl who work in trades, teachers, people who work retail or factories; just the average non-white collar life. I’m curious if their lives are the same sort of strict, exclusive, formal way or a little more laid back? I guessing this would be life outside of PARIS. I’m Canadian, West Coast.

[@asifmuniruniverse7732]

Yes I'm speaking true

[@Steve-hu9gw]

I visited France back in 2005. I began every interaction in French but never started with “bonjour.” It seemed too stereotypical. No one seemed the least bit put off. No one retorted with any pointed bonjours. I did, however, typically begin with a “monsieur,” “madame,” or “mademoiselle,” which seems to have compensated quite fully. Everyone was perfectly pleasant and accommodating. I even had no problem at all getting my cheeseburger “bien cuit” at the hotel, when a meal needed to be purely practical and quick. On the other hand, my poor mother, who neither speaks nor understands a word of French, had a terrible time getting anyone to do anything. If I was busy with something else, she’d basically just sit in a corner by herself. Fortunately, that didn’t happen often. Being functional in French really seems to make a big difference in people’s attitude toward and treatment of you in France.

[@vd12]

Loved the cheese joke 😂

[@grill38]

Il y a rien de pire pour nous qu 'un français qui parle mal anglais, on se supporte pas cet accent ! on a l'impression qu'il est totalement ridicule et que la terre entière se moque de nous

[@JaxomMric]

et en meme temps, comme elle l'a si bien dit, si un français parle avec un très bon accent anglais... on le traitera de crâneur ! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@recklessoldier]

Franchement y'a des gens qui ne font aucun effort aussi -_- je veux bien qu'on ait un accent mais parfois jai envie de dire ; ouvrez vos oreilles vous entendez bien que ça se prononce pas comme ça!

[@italixgaming915]

J'ai une anecdote à ce sujet. J'assistais à un séminaire qui était organisé pour des cadres supérieurs d'une très grande entreprise française - j'en tairai le nom par courtoisie - et j'étais à côté de la cabine des interprètes qui devaient traduire les interventions - qui étaient toutes en anglais - en français. Elles avaient franchement du mal à se retenir de rire et quand je suis sorti de ma propre cabine - j'avais le son en français, je n'entendais pas la version originale - pour faire une pause j'ai compris pourquoi ^^

[@italixgaming915]

@MrTherealpad On ne parle pas du pékin moyen là mais de dirigeants d'une des plus grandes entreprises françaises, qui s'est développée dans de nombreux pays dans le monde. A un tel niveau de responsabilités la maîtrise de l'anglais devient un impératif. On l'exige bien d'un simple commercial dès lors qu'il doit traiter avec des clients étrangers...

[@juju2384]

If you want an exemple about how much some people dislike Paris, just look at Football. In France, the team of Paris, PSG, is the most hated one (out of Paris obviously) and a lot of people (particulary from Marseille) would love to see them lose every game (they are actually the best team in terms of performance).

[@1978Marianne]

What? French people speak more English than the surrounding countries?!?! No way!

[@cmolodiets]

she said they "can't" but I heard "can". telling a "can" from a "can't" is actually a tricky matter for non native english speakers

[@italixgaming915]

The way that English (and foreign languages in general) is taught in France is completely obsolete. This is by the way why French people often have a very recognisable accent when they speak English, because they didn't pratice the pronunciation and rarely learnt the language with a teacher that was a native English speaker. I would say that a majority of French people are able to understand at least the general meaning of a text in English but only a very tiny part is able to understand someone who is speaking English.

[@osez111]

@@cmolodiets i also heard 'can" It shocked me.

[@JoJo-vm8vk]

@@cmolodiets She didn't even say "can" or "can't". She said "The French are actually known in Europe for speaking English very well compared to the different countries around them". I was shocked too, I had to play it on repeat several times to be sure she didn't forgot a word 🤣 That being said, I went to Spain...good luck with English. I had to talk to some Italians on the phone for work...they preferred to speak French. I bought a used camera lens from a German on eBay...he didn't spoke a single word of English, I had to use Google Translate to proceed with the buying 😅

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Of course the French do not speak better English than the Swiss, Danes, Swedes, Dutch, Belgians, Germans, Norwegians, Icelanders...and they are also more inhibited, but some parts of France have a long tradition of speaking English: Alsace, Bordeaux, Brittany. Alsace being more Germanic has more of a feel for it; Brittany has an affinity for the Irish, the Welsh, the Cornish; Bordeaux: most wine chateaux had/have English owners, and there was a lot of business going back and forth with the Brits. Funnily, I also found that a lot of African immigrants in France really pick up English better than the French. Could be because most are already bilingual/trilingual etc, while very few French or Brits are bilingual.

[@texasgirl9604]

What is your favorite French museum?

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I'm a big fan of the natural history museum and I also love the classic, The Louvre!

[@LudoTechWorld]

Bonjour ! (:D) Proud to be french ? I can be proud of something I've done but being proud of the fact that I was born in one side of an imaginary line instead of the other, I really don't undestand how! I didn't have to choose ^^ So yes, I'm attached to the region/town I'm in because I spent my life here, and here are most of my friends, close family members and memories, but certainly can't be proud of it. "Patriotism" for me (and for others I know but maybe we are a minority ?) sounds just as stupid as creating clubs for people proud to have green eyes or brown hair :D

[@FrenchComprehensibleInput]

03:31 really?

[@gwillis01]

hello friend

[@MrDDiRusso]

In America, it's rude to cut the cheese.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Yeah? you eat it all and that's why people put weight on? Sorry for the bad joke, but I agree that in lot of places, individual slices (or terrible kraft cheese) will be bought, all wrapped up in plastic. Now that shocked me. There is something nice about sharing a piece of cheese, or bread etc, about cutting individual and different portions from one whole.

[@veraciteabsolue1221]

Contragulations for noticing that the social rights are the nice consequence of the frustrating strikes. Unfortunately for non French, you only have the bad side.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Not entirely true: if you are a foreigner living in France, you do get quite a few of the benefits. I know a lot of Americans who do not drink coke and eat hamburgers everyday!!!

[@veraciteabsolue1221]

@@annepoitrineau5650 Les étrangers qui séjournent en France n'acquièrent pas une quatrième et cinquième semaines de vacances, qu'ils mangent ou non des hamburgers.

[@dodgermartin4895]

Zha vay rontray oh zee tah zoo knee bee-en-toh.. alors... zha m'en feesh ploos.

[@noefillon1749]

Hyper dur à lire, j'ai du mette une petite minute à déchiffrer et j'ai pas compris la fin (après les ...)

[@rushdialrashed9627]

French language and it’s accent is super SEXY.

[@lukaszpokoju]

A French colleague once told me, that Corsican don't consider themselves as French apart from the days they receive state aid and free healthcare.

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Well, some French people do resent the Corsicans, for reasons unknown: the Corsicans were not asked if they wanted to be French, in the 18th century. It was done to them, why should they not be a little critical? There was a time when mainland French were behaving as if they were colonising the territory, as if the Corsicans were not their equals. As for etting social aid: so what??? If you have been coerced into something, at least you can use the perks when you need them. There is higher unemployment in Corsica than on the mainland. Young people have to leave, so what does that tell you about how they are treated?

[@veraciteabsolue1221]

You opposed 'Paris to the rest France' but you should notice that 'the rest of France' is called 'province' which is very typical and deserves being noticed. Maybe a comparison can be made with New Yorkers who say 'out of town' to mean 'the rest of America' (?).

[@skaoon4553]

La province ne designe pas le reste de la france mais la campagne Tout les non parisiens vous avez vrmnt le seum c dingue vous voyez le mal partout des quon evoque paris faut se detendre hein

[@veraciteabsolue1221]

@@skaoon4553 Ignare, donneur de leçon. Tu ferais mieux de te cultiver et t'occuper de tes fesses abruti.

[@chlore2amine]

@@skaoon4553 Province désigne tout ce qui n'est pas Paris et sa région. Marseille, Lyon, Lille, etc. c'est la province et pas ce que l'on pourrait appeler la campagne

[@monpopotama9416]

@@chlore2amine la province désigne pour les parisiens tout ce qui n'est pas Paris. C'est vraiment un mot parisianocentré, et refusé par beaucoup de non parisiens (étymologiquement ça veut dire 'les territoires vaincus'... C'est un mot colonialiste)

[@skaoon4553]

Tout ce que jai voulu dire c que chez moi quand on dit quon va en province c pour aller a la campagne pas pour aller a lyon ou lille Moi ce que je vois c que tout crux qui sont pas de paris voient les parisiens comme des gros con ignard qui pensent que le reste de la france cest la campagne perdue alors que c loin detre le cas Moi tout ce que je vois c des provinciaux aigri qui crache sur paris je vois pas de parisiens cracher sur les provinciaux mais bon be vis ptetre dans une bulle..

[@make-down]

They don't speak English because they refuse to use the language for proud reasons and alllllways assume that everyone that speaks English is a native English speaker, which freaking infuriated me LOL

[@seamew2108]

"pledge alliegance to the flag every morning like we do in America" you do what now?

[@vdayucla]

Believing Paris is basically France is like thinking Donald is basically America. Both are untrue, thankfully. 😝

[@annepoitrineau5650]

oh mon Dieu, none of my US friends can stand the dizzy blonde in he white house! and in fact, even in 2016,he was not elected by the people...

[@vdayucla]

@@annepoitrineau5650 | In America, anyone can become President. That is one of the risks we take by living here. :-p

[@catherinetemple7208]

Do you have a frog in your room ? X

[@annepoitrineau5650]

???

[@BStrapper]

Rectification, fact of life, Americans are tremendously proud of being Americans, with the matching attitude... The French see that and since you get on their nerves (a bit at least), they just give you the change... They show you they are not impressed by you and Americans in general. Since that "Arrogant-French-behaviour" is not legitimate you conclude they are just Sooooo proud... NO! Again once more... they are just not remotely impressed by you.... Americans How dare they?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -They just do! BTW remember, we (french) win debates... always...

[@vaudou74]

remember when i first met a US future friend..."i m from america, best country ever!", i replied....." oh, it s ok , not your fault, shit happens... could be worse, u could be from the USA :) " , "WHHHAAATTTT!!!!!"

[@sixvseven7713]

Salut

[@philippeleclou9956]

Sorry I will tell it in French 😥 Il n'y a pas un accent français, mais une multitude en fonction des régions considérées. Maurice Chevalier (stéréotype) n'avait l'accent français mais l'accent parisien. C'est un peu comme les texans étaient représentatifs de l'accent américain. Les accent sont la marque d'une langue vivante et en France il y a autant d'accents que de fromages, et aux US il y a aussi une multitude d'accents en fonction des régions.

[@miragen125]

I don't really agree when you say that you can't eat cheese at any other time. You can totally eat cheese during the "apero", they sell plenty of cheese specifically for that purpose in the supermarket... You just don't start eating cheese at the same time than your main course... One more thing : Never ever make a surrender "joke" or French white flag joke or you'll probably get punched in the face

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I didn't know about the surrender joke! How come?

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Also fair point on cheese being served at aperos!

[@miragen125]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Are you being sarcastic ? I talking about the French surrender during WW2 joke if I was not clear with my statement.

[@miragen125]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified if you are being serious : this "jokes" are extremely offensive towards or elders and just not true. On top of it it was not a thing until 2003 and the invasion of Iraq. The American government and Fox "News" used this to discredit the French government who opposed the unjustified war. Do you remember the Freedom fries ? Here is a very quick meme to explain why it is offensive : www.reddit.com/r/HistoryMemes/comments/g5h7av/why_cant_we_just_take_a_joke/?

[@bryanstoke3381]

😂

[@davedeal9152]

Zeee accent is wonderfully sexy! Appreciate your bigendered swooning acknowledgement! (Also: visited Japan and wonderfully gracious hosts were perplexed why I kept declining the coca-cola they kept offering me. When I finally said that I don't drink soda, they laughed surprised, and said "We thought all Americans love coca-cola.")

[@bevzombified9548]

Honestly, I respect the French for going on strike; so many Americans are complacent as fuck I mean; it took Donald Trump to get millions of people to care about politics; there's still a bunch of complacent people like there’s people who didn’t vote and people who have told me they’re only voting this election 🙄 for real, I hate that many people just don't care in America if it weren't for them, maybe we'd actually have more nice things like a good healthcare system 😔 , and perhaps we wouldn't have had Trump in the first place 😔

[@michaelhurley3171]

But we Americans really do eat hamburgers and coke everyday 😂