Cultural Etiquette

Market Manners

Basic Courtesy - Greet vendors: "Bonjour" essential - Wait your turn: Queue respect - Ask before touching: Products, displays - Photography: Ask permission for people - Thank you: "Merci" always

Shopping Etiquette - Browsing fine: But acknowledge vendor - Bargaining: Generally not done - Decision time: Don't rush, don't dawdle - Payment ready: When decided - Exact change: Appreciated

Cultural Sensitivity

Religious Spaces - Churches active: Respect services - Appropriate dress: Cover shoulders - Quiet behavior: Even if tourist site - Photography rules: Often restricted - Donations: Optional but welcomed

Local Customs - Greeting style: Varies by region - Personal space: Closer than Anglo norms - Voice levels: Keep moderate - Children welcome: But supervised - Patience: Things may move slowly

Language Tips

Survival French - Hello: Bonjour (until evening) - Good evening: Bonsoir (after 6 PM) - Please: S'il vous plaît - Thank you: Merci - Excuse me: Excusez-moi - Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais? - I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas - How much?: Combien? - Where is...?: Où est...? - Goodbye: Au revoir

Making Effort - Try French first: Always appreciated - Don't apologize: For imperfect French - Smile: Universal language - Gestures help: But culturally appropriate - Translation apps: Useful backup