Running head: FRANCE

France
Kerrigan Simons
Riley County High School

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Abstract
France is a diverse culture that when compared to America, they have many different customs,
subcultures, and languages. France is a developed country whose ways and values were built on different
grounds than Americans. The differences even stand with material and nonmaterial culture. It is very important
to know the different symbols, customs, and values of a different country. It keeps people knowledgeable about
the world around them.

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France, among every other country is completely different from America. There are different values and
customs due to different types of people, cultural backgrounds and heritage. It is extremely important to know
what different countries value. When traveling to a different country, a handshake that seems like a normal
welcoming gesture may be rude and insulting to someone of a different country.
Materials and Nonmaterials of France
The definition of a material culture is a physical product; examples would be a car, books,
buildings, clothing, etc. A material culture of France is a like America, a car. Most material cultures are the
same around the world, because they are simply physical objects. A nonmaterial culture is an abstract product.
Something that is not physical. Examples would be; Religion. There are around 4,300 religions in the world. A
poll in 2011 was taken in France where 45% of them stated to be Catholic, 35% claimed no religion, and 3%
said they were Muslim. Another example of nonmaterial culture is political and economic systems. Rules and
skills are also examples. An American example of rules would be knowing to stop at a stop sign, slowing down
at a yellow light, even something as small as not cutting in the lunch line in elementary school. Those are all
examples of set rules. Rules that are just known, those are called Folkways. Then there are other rules such as;
not stealing or trespassing, these are known as Mores.
Symbols of France
In the U.S. an American symbol would be the Flag. It is known by everyone in our country,
having red and white stripes and fifty stars in the left hand corner. Another American symbol would be the
Statue of Liberty, placed in New York City to represent freedom. Every country has important known symbols
that stand for various reasons. As the American Flag is a symbol for our country, the French Flag is a symbol for
their county. It is known around the country that their flag is blue, white, and red, and that in its three column
format stands for France. Another important French symbol is The Eiffel Tower, a grand symbol to represent
their county. It is the most recognized building in all of France. A not unofficial symbol would be a baguette, an

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archetypal French bread that is known as hard to make well in other countries and is loved by the people of
France.
Language
There are a total of 6,500 spoken languages in the world. In the U.S. the top three spoken
languages are English, Spanish, and Chinese. In France the top three spoken languages are French, German, and
Breton. Language is connections; it is how we communicate with one another and how we can connect with
someone on a deeper level. When going to other countries it is vital to know how to speak at the least key words
of the countries origin that you are going to. About one in four Americans can speak a secondary language, and
hold a conversation with someone of a different culture and language.
Values
Values are what a countries people hold close to them, what has a deeper meaning to them and is
seen highly. An example of an American value would be individualism, meaning that freedoms are valued,
another value would be equality. That Americans are all seen as equal, women have the same rights as men and
when they have come to a certain age, children do as well. An example of equality would be voting. In France
an important value to their people is abstraction. Art is well valued in the French culture and is known around
the world for having beautiful works of art. Another value of the French would be Authority. The French society
is built on a Top-Down model: an omnipresent and regal state, the importance of political life as compared to
social life.
Customs and Traditions
In America a well-known tradition is Christmas, buying presents, taking time off from school
and work, setting up the Christmas tree and decorating with Christmas lights. Christmas is also celebrated in
France as well as Easter, even though these are Christian based holidays, forty-five percent of the country is
Christian religion. Another custom or tradition they celebrate is Labor Day.

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Conclusion
When compared to America, France is culturally diverse in many ways from symbols and values,
to languages, and customs. In the world around us there are also things that stay the same such as; material and
nonmaterial cultures. When compared France is a completely different culture whose values and traditions seem
so different, but is still a beautiful country.