SPED-Integrated School For Exceptional Children

Senior High School for the Gifted

Iloilo City

France
A Report Presented to
Ms. GRACELLE V. GAPIT
SUBJECT TEACHER

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Oral Communication

AIDRENE KATE D. JARDELEZA

(Student)

July 2016

French language allows the French culture to perpetuate its deep roots for it carries
traditions from generation to generation. To start, French culture is very polite, reserved
and dignified. However, most people say Parisians are rude. Here are few reasons why

The French keep a distance with strangers. In America, a neutral face

is a big smiling grin but in France, thats way too expressive. Its simply not the
culture to get cozy with strangers. Since they value privacy in terms of their
use of facial expressions, which is often interpreted as being rude. This is
most clearly seen in their facial expressions. The French do not smile
frequently because they feel it is necessary only to smile when there is
something to smile about. Therefore, they do not just smile as they are
walking down the street as Americans do, which is often interpreted as rude.

Good service in France means leaving you alone.

In France, the object of dining is to lay claim to a great table and take up as
much time in it as possible. A waiter coming to ask you if youd like anything
else every 10 minutes makes the French feel rushed and unwanted. 9Good
service means being left alone.

The French speak French

So before you say, duh, let me explain. French understand English but they

find it insulting
when their native language wasnt at least attempted b tourists. You dont
really have to be
fluent to get around well in France, but just be respectful and pull out a
phrase book. Try.
After stumbling a few times, the French person will likely stop you and
respond in English
Because they actually have a low tolerance for terrible French, once
youve proven you tried).

French slang makes everything negative and understated

Was your food good? A French person would say it was not bad. The view
gorgeous? Not intolerable. A good looking guy? He was not ugly. This is
simply manner of speaking in French, but translates very negatively to an
American who loves speaking in hyperbole. Cursing is also way more common
in spoken French than spoken English so dont be surprised if a French
person says something bad than youre used to. Theyre just
translating directly from their French.

Nonverbal cues of France.

Greetings
The French use politeness as an essential goal of their nonverbal communication. The
French are very observant of rank, and especially in terms greetings, it is not polite to
extend your hand to a superior individual. One of the most important differences in
greeting between the French culture and those of say the United States lies in the
handshake. The French handshake is done with a one-pump movement, as opposed to
the United States who use their shoulder and pump multiple times. It is believed that
politeness will open doors, and the French use the same form of politeness in how they
open doors for women, followed with the saying Aprs vous, sil vous plait --after you,
please. This is essential to the French for it is a sign of good upbringing and
education. Once the French become more comfortable with a person, a kiss on the
cheek, especially by women (never by men unless they are relations) is a more
acceptable greeting.

Posture is a very important issue in French culture. Children are reminded that they are
to stand up straight, we see that this is evident from their feelings of nationalism and
pride. French see themselves as the most advanced European country, and the one that
is the most unified, with this, they believe that they should present themselves
accordingly. The French use a controlled walk, that is they dont swing their arms, and
when speaking to someone, do not place your hands in your pockets. Feet and chairs are
to remain on the ground, that is dont lean back, and do not place your feet on a desk or
chair.

Gestures
List of some examples of nonverbal communication used in France:

Shaking hands

Eye contact

Double kiss

Ok sign

Counting

Drunk sign

I dont believe you

Shaking Hands is used is used frequently in the business world when meeting
someone for the first time. The French also shake hands when leavin a room of people. If
you leave the room without shaking hands, it is disrespectful. Americans typically use a
firm handshake whereas the French handshake is quick and light.
Eye Contact is only used amongst close friends and family. If you keep eye
contact with a stranger it is considered too personal and can be interpreted as a request
for a relationship.
In France, it is widely practiced for one to greet a family and close friends with a
kiss on the cheek. The French trade our regular hello and goodbyes handshakes to kisses
on both cheeks. It is a norm to start off with the right cheek, and often there isn't a lip-tocheek contact.

The "Okay" sign in America is made with the thumb and the index finger. In
France, this means "zero."
Counting on the hand . In France, the thumb is the first counter, the index is the
second counter, and the middle finger is the third counter etc. If someone would hold up
their index and middle fingers (two), they would receive three of whatever was ordered.
The thumb is counted even if it is not held up.
By holding up a fist and holding up in front of the nose indicates that someone is
drunk.
Using your index finger to pull the skin under your eye signifies, "I don't believe
you."

La poiltesse or politeness reigns social behavior amongst French as does formality.

Everything is more formal as compared to American standards including the usage of the
French language. The way a French person communicates is often predicated by their
social status, education level, and which part of the country they were raised.
Hellos and goodbyes
No matter who you meet or speak to, you have to begin with a greeting. Bonjour and
Bonsoir (after 6 pm) are the expected hellos. These are used with the words
Monsieur and Madame for men and women respectively. You say your goodbyes
with Au revoir.
The Names
The French take names very seriously. First names are reserved for family and close
friends. Wait until invited before using someone's first name. otherwise, You address the
persons last name. Knowing academic titles and using them properly is required.
Are you saying it politely?
The use of the pronoun you as tu or vous dictates many relations in France. As a
general rule of thumb use vous. It indicates politeness and respect. The word tu is
used as relationships grow.
For example:
The formal term for Whats your name is Comment vous appellezvous?
The informal term is Comment tappelles-tu?

How old are you: Quel ge avez-vous | Quel ge as-tu?

Do you understand? : Comprenez-vous? | Comprenez-tu?

ela/ ca = it
Ca is used in informal speech and obviously, cela is used as a formal term.
Je naime pas ela | Je naime pas a : I dont like it

Ne is present in almost all negative expressions in formal French:

Ne is absent from negative command in informal French.

Dont cry: Ne pleur pas! | pleur pas!

Nous/on
These are the equivalent of we and us. On is only used as a subject and followed by a
singular verb and is always with a singular adjective.
In informal speech, nous is replaced by on.
Nous sommes fatigu | On est fatigu

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.
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 but
prohibitions about flowers are not generally followed by the young.

If you give wine, make sure it is of the highest quality you can afford. The French
appreciate their wines.

Gifts are usually opened when received.

Table manners

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.

It is considered impolite to leave anything on the plate. Taste everything that is

offered.

Do not cut salad with a knife and fork. Fold the lettuce on to your fork.

Peel and slice fruit before eating it.

Leave your wine glass nearly full if you do not want more.

Dress Etiquette

The French are known for their fashion consciousness. When in France, dont dress
American Casual. Although there are no strict dress codes on a day to day basis,
American casual is a little too casual for us. We rarely wear shorts unless its the
beach. So, dress more formal, more like business casual.

The French like the finer things in life, so wear good quality accessories.

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.

The further south you go in the country, the more flexible time is.

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.

Dress well. The French are fashion conscious and their version of casual is not as
relaxed as in many western countries.
French accent

If you want to have a French accent while speaking in English follow these:
The tip in speaking French is dont open your mouth widely.

In France, there is NO Th sound. They pronounce it as Z

This, that, those, etc.

The Famous French R is pronounced as Hrrrr say it while breathing out a little
air.

The H sound is also silent in French accent.

Lastly, let me teach you some basic French:

Bonjour good morning, hi/hello

Bonsoir good evening
Goodbye Au revior
How are you Comment allez-vous?
Yes Oui
Non - Non
Thank you merci
Please Sil vous plait
Im sorry (Sympathy or Apology) Je suis dsol
Im fine Je vais bein
Im not fine Je ne vais pas trs bien

Thats all. Bonne journe