General French News | Author notes importance of etiquette in France

Friday, August, 19th by Paul Smithson

The significance of observing etiquette on French holidays has been discussed by the author Michael Wright, who admitted he had previously underestimated the power of the word 'bonjour'.

Writing for the Daily Telegraph, he described how the term, which translates as 'good day' and is used similarly to 'hello', has a much more profound importance than its English equivalent.

Mr Wright explained: 'It's more than just hello; it's more like the opening of an account: the acknowledgement that a channel of communication is open between us, and will remain so until tomorrow.'

He pointed out that people in England will use the greeting several times a day almost as a way of alerting people that they are in the room, while the French will tend to only use it once for each person daily.

This is not the only example of unusual French etiquette that Mr Wright has chanced upon. His friend Jerome described how, when invited to an aperitif, it is an accepted custom to enjoy the drink and accept a refill but decline a second top-up.

Holiday etiquette can be troublesome for everyone, with Prime Minister David Cameron receiving minor criticism after failing to leave a tip while in a cafe abroad.

According to Sky News, the Conservative Party leader opted against giving any extra money to the waitress as she had been short with him and refused to take their coffees to an outside table.