11 French Customs You're Bound to Notice

Every country has different customs that it follows and upholds, and France is on exception. If I tried to list every custom I picked up on while abroad, we would both be here all day. Instead, I have compiled 5 vocal and 6 culinary customs for you to read and learn about. Hope this helps!

The Vocal Customs

1. The pfft

When a French person finishes a sentence, he or she will frequently let out a big puff of air. Sometimes, the lips will roll with it. This signifies, "I don't know" or "oh well."

2. Euhhh...

Instead of saying "uhhh," "ummm," or "hmmm," a French person will say, "euhhh." It uses the lower back of the mouth instead of the top of your mouth.

3. Bah oui, bah non

When a French person wants to be sassy and imply that something is obvious, they will add "bah" in front of their response. It gives off the same idea as "well yeah" or "of course not."

4. On verra.

French people love to say this. It's the equivalent of "we'll see," but it is much more common in France. There is a much heavier emphasis on not stressing and, instead, going with the flow. They try to understand that they have no control over certain outcomes and will just have to accept whatever comes.

5. C'est pas grave.

This is one of the other phrases you will hear all the time. It means "It's no big deal." As with "on verra," this is another phrase that conveys the idea that someone is not going to be overly worried. Life will continue, so it's not worth stressing about the little things. This is especially used when someone else messes up as a way to excuse his or her mistake.

The Culinary Customs

6. The order of a meal

When you eat a French meal, you are expected to eat the salad, then the main course, then the bread and cheese, and finally the dessert. Even if all of the courses come on one tray or plate, a French person would never think to eat a bite of the chicken and then a bite of the salad. It must be eaten in this order. One girl in my study abroad group broke this rule in the school cafeteria, and quickly realized when everyone at the neighboring table gasped and pointed at her. Basically, this rule is surprisingly important to many French people.

7. Respect the cheese point

Cheese is very important in France, as I'm sure you are well aware. It is so highly regarded, though, that it even matters how you slice a wheel of cheese. Always remember to respect the point. In other words, cut out triangles of cheese so that the remaining part will still have a point on it.

8. Baguettes and Wine are the Go-to French Hosting Gift.

Whenever guests came over for dinner, they always brought my host mom a baguette, a bottle of wine, or both. We did the same whenever we went to someone else's house. It is just a small courtesy done for the host to say thank you.

9. Leave the Food You Bring to the Host's House with the Host.

Whatever you bring will be enjoyed during the meal that you share together and left with the host at the end. It is considered very rude to bring home the leftover wine, baguette, or whatever else you bring.

10. Arrive 20 Minutes Late to a Dinner Party.

This is not a set rule, but most hosts expect that the guests will arrive about 20 minutes late. In general, times are flexible in France because it tends to be a more calm country. For example, my classes at the university always started about 7 minutes late, but students would show up 50 minutes late sometimes.

11. Fruit is a dessert; Pastries and chocolate are a breakfast.

The typical French person will not eat bananas, oranges, apples, grapes, or other fruits for breakfast. These are considered a sweet, light way to end the day. On the other hand, a croissant or Nutella or jam on a baguette are seen as the perfect breakfast. Occasionally, yogurt and cereal are also eaten for breakfast, but the most popular option is typically the tartan -- baguette with a spread on top.