Viva Francia'

OFFICIAL NAME : République Française (French Republic)

FORM OF GOVERNMENT : Republic with two legislative
houses (Parliament; Senate [348], National Assembly [577])
HEAD OF STATE : President Emmanuel Macron
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT : Prime minister Édouard
Philippe
CAPITAL : Paris
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE : French
 FRANCE

• The capital and by far the most important city of France is Paris, one of
the world’s preeminent cultural and commercial centres.
• A majestic city known as the ville lumière, or “city of light,” Paris has often
been remade, most famously in the mid-19th century under the
command of Georges-Eugène, Baron Haussman , who was committed to
Napoleon III ’s vision of a modern city free of the choleric swamps and
congested alleys of old, with broad avenues and a regular plan.
• Paris is now a sprawling metropolis, one of Europe’s largest conurbations,
but its historic heart can still be traversed in an evening’s walk. Confident
that their city stood at the very centre of the world, Parisians were once
given to referring to their country as having two parts, Paris and le désert,
the wasteland beyond it.
 French Culture: Customs and Tradition
LANGUAGE
- French is the official language and the first language of
88 percent of the population.
- French is the second most widely learned foreign
language in the world, with almost 120 million students,
according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Development.
RELIGION
- Catholicism is the predominant religion of France. In a
survey by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), 64 percent
of the population (about 41.6 million people) identified
themselves as Roman Catholic.
- The other religions in France include Islam Buddhism and
Judaism. From 23 to 28 percent of people in France do not
subscribe to a religion, according to the CIA.
VALUES
- The French believe in égalité, which means equality, and is part
of the country's motto: "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité." Many say
they place a higher importance on equality than liberty and
fraternity, the other two words in the motto.
French cuisine
- Food and wine are central to life at all socioeconomic
levels, and much socializing is done around lengthy dinners.

coq au vin
Clothing
- Paris is known as the home to many high-end fashion
houses, such as Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
- The term haute couture is associated with French fashion
and loosely means fancier garments that are handmade or
made to order.
 French Family Values
• The family is the social adhesive of the country and each
member has certain duties and responsibilities.
• The extended family provides both emotional and financial
support.
• Despite their reputation as romantics, the French have a
practical approach towards marriage.
• Families have few children, but parents take their role as
guardians and providers very seriously.
 ETIQUETTE & CUSTOMS IN FRANCE
Meeting Etiquette
• The handshake is a common form of greeting. Friends may
greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks, once on
the left cheek and once on the right cheek.
• First names are reserved for family and close friends. Wait
until invited before using someone's first name.
• You are expected to say 'bonjour' or 'bonsoir' (good morning
and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or
Madame when entering a shop and 'au revoir' (good-bye)
when leaving.
•
Gift Giving Etiquette
• Flowers should be given in odd numbers but not 13, which
is considered unlucky
• Some older French retain old-style prohibitions against
receiving certain flowers: White lilies or chrysanthemums as
they are used at funerals; red carnations as they symbolize
bad will; any white flowers as they are used at weddings.
• If you give wine, make sure it is of the highest quality you
can afford. The French appreciate their wine.
Dining Etiquette
• Arrive on time. Under no circumstances should you arrive more than 10
minutes later than invited without telephoning to explain you have been
detained.
• If invited to a large dinner party, especially in Paris, send flowers the
morning of the occasion so that they may be displayed that evening.
•
Table manners
• The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
• Do not begin eating until the hostess says 'bon appetit'.
• If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with
the fork over the knife.
• Do not rest your elbows on the table, although your hands should be visible
and not in your lap.
• Do not cut salad with a knife and fork. Fold the lettuce on to your fork.
•
 NON- VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Non - Verbal Gesture FRANCE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA

“Okay” sign with your hand Means “Worthless” or Means perfect or okay
“Zero” Hand Gesture

Greeting The French often greet Greeting someone with a

friends with kisses on both hand shake in the USA
cheeks.

Facial Expressions The French are very In USA people generally

reserved, which is often express their feelings and
interpreted as being rude. emotions with the use of
facial expressions.
 REFERENCES
https://www.britannica.com/place/France
https://www.livescience.com/39149-french-culture.html
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-
guides/france-guide
https://rhampton23.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/non-verbal-
communication-differences-between-usa-and-france/
https://www.expatica.com/fr/insider-views/Top-10-French-
foods-with-recipes_106720.html