French traditions reflect its vibrant diversity while simultaneously sharing common themes such as family values and the national motto ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’.
The French national symbol, the Gallic rooster, represents their republic and values. A courteous greeting with hello and goodbye for shopkeepers is another non-negotiable tradition in France.
Aperitif
An aperitif can help stimulate appetite, whet your palate, and prepare your stomach for what lies ahead. Typically it’s enjoyed alongside light savory nibbles such as cheese boards or homemade charcuterie platters at home; but don’t limit aperitifs to just pre-dinner drinks; enjoy them any time of day as part of a balanced lifestyle and use them to craft custom cocktails!
These new low-ABV, botanical-driven aperitifs are an excellent choice for sipping alone or with tonic water and soda, with many being made domestically with citrusy and herbal flavors that stand out.
Aperitifs are an enjoyable and engaging way to connect with friends and family over a pre-dinner drink or during your favorite sports game. Aperitifs have become increasingly popular because they encourage slowing down, appreciating your time with others, and not rushing through life; reflecting European cultures which tend to move more slowly than our American culture.
The baguette
The baguette has long been considered the symbol of French cuisine and one of the world’s most beloved breads. Considered an integral part of French culture and often eaten daily as part of their prideful heritage, this iconic loaf was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.
Legends and anecdotes about how the modern baguette came to be vary widely, but most scholars agree it was developed through improved flour and steam ovens. August Zang from Austria is often given credit as its creator.
When making a baguette, it is crucial to allow enough time for its dough to rise. This allows organic acids to form, improving both its flavor and strength. Once it has risen, the loaf is then cut lengthwise using either a baker’s lame or sharp knife and scored so as to allow even expansion during baking.
The ’tu’ or ’vous’ rule
Understanding French requires being able to differentiate between vous and tu, with vous being more formal and tu informal.
There are certain social situations when using vous is required, including speaking to people older than you or when dealing with adults; young children typically use “you”, while teachers use this form when talking to their pupils or students (ages 15+).
It can be tricky to choose the appropriate form, and in these instances it’s often best to err on the side of caution by opting for vous rather than tu. Doing this ensures you do not come across as rude or disrespectful and also shows respect and friendly relations without placing someone on the defensive – an example being when Emmanuel Macron visited Britain and a crowd member referred to him as “tu”.
The ‘la bise’
Though most French do not feel compelled to make la bise part of their rituals, some still do and many find comfort that this French tradition has come to a halt due to the pandemic; yet others miss it greatly.
One point of contention lies in how many “bises” to give: two is usually sufficient; however, some prefer three or even four kisses instead. Additionally, directionality can differ – in Paris and other northern areas people generally turn towards the right/droite (so brush left cheek first), whereas in southern areas they usually turn left/gauchee.
Dependent upon factors like relationship, age and gender (please refer to our lesson on Tu/Vous for further explanation), making la bise is generally accepted in family settings as well as close friend and acquaintance relationships; for professional settings however a handshake is usually preferred.