1.20: Francophonie - Points Culturels

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Objectifs

In this section, you will learn about:

Francophone countries and regions
French greeting customs

Media Alternative

Listen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.

On découvre !

Francophonie

Explorez le monde francophone en visitant ces sites :

Ressources supplémentaires

Here is a map of the member states and countries of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Two women greeting with a kiss

"FR Society 35: French Kiss" by francisco_osorio is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Points Culturels

Greetings in French

Cultural practices differ in French-speaking countries regarding greetings. In France, it is common to say 'Bonjour' and 'Au revoir' when entering small shops, independently owned medical practices, and offices to greet employees, customers, or patients. At work, such greetings are common with professional acquaintances we often see but don't really start a conversation with.

With people we know a bit better such as colleagues, neighbors, friends, or family members, it is customary to add a gesture such as kisses on the cheeks 'la bise,' or a handshake. 'Se faire la bise' is a cultural gesture that has a few rules to observe: the number of kisses (2, 3, 4) and the side to start (right or left) will depend on each region.

As a French custom, one has to remember that it is not a true kiss on the cheek but more of an 'air' kiss where the cheeks touch while each person makes a smacking sound. This custom is practiced across gender, age, and social groups. When in doubt, follow your peers, or the other person's lead, and keep in mind that it is safer for professional acquaintances to use handshakes as there are more untold norms to respect such as rank and the 'culture' of each business.

Tu vs Vous

Addressing someone in French-speaking countries can be challenging as it entails using Tu (informal you) for interactions between family, friends, peers or Vous (formal you) in everyday life with professional colleagues, acquaintances, and service employees. To be safe consider using the formal Vous when meeting new people and follow your French interlocutor's lead who will invite you to use Tu to break the ice if appropriate.

With each new interaction, gaging the inherent social norms between Tu or Vous will become easier.

Un regard, un sourire ?

In everyday life while in public spaces, walking in the streets, or taking public transportation (bus, metro, tramway), it is noteworthy to mention that French people avoid eye contact with strangers, do not smile nor say 'Bonjour' to people they do not intend to start a conversation with. For Americans, it is a common gesture. This French cultural difference reflects how strangers respect others' personal space even in crowded locations. Choosing to make eye contact is a sign that a person wants to start a conversation to ask for help or information which is totally acceptable to do too.

On pratique !

Activité A

Search the web for the information in order to respond to the following questions:

Combien de personnes parlent le français dans le monde ?
On parle français sur combien de continents ?
Il y a combien de pays francophones en Europe ?
Qu’est-ce que l’OIF ?
Nommez 1 pays en Asie où on parle français.
Nommez 3 pays en Afrique où on parle français.
Des Francophones célèbres : can you name at least 2 famous Francophone people (writers, poets, politicians, singers, actors, actresses, etc.)

Activité B

La bise. First, watch this video to learn how to do the bise. Then, look at this map of number of bises per region in France. Finally, answer the questions below.

When you kiss someone on the cheek, should you really kiss their cheek?
Should you make a kissing sound when doing la bise?
Is eye contact important?
How many times should you kiss on the cheek if you are in the north of France?
How many bises do they do in the eastern region, near the border of Switzerland?
How many bises should you do if you are in Paris?