Opening the windows pour faire courant d'air – this is but one popular French custom. Today we are talking about French traditions and quirks so get ready to share your observations here in the comments!
une bizarrerie (bee-zahr-reuhr-ree)
: a quirk or peculiarity
FAVORITE FRENCH TRADITIONS OR CUSTOMS (or Quirks!)
Today, following the Favorite French Words post, we are sharing our Favorite French customs and traditions. From habits the French have while eating–to the way they go about greeting–we are sharing our observations here in the comments box.
What kinds of things do the French do that intrigue or inspire you? Seen anything quirky or funny or intimidating or bizarre?
Share a cultural curiosity you have seen with your own eyes–or share something you've heard about!
COMMENTS
Looking forward to reading YOUR observations about France and French customs. Click here to share something uniquely French.
Message to Jean-Marc. Bon anniversaire de mariage, chéri! Given today is our 20th wedding anniversary, I'll share a favorite French tradition: les dragées! You see these colorful sugar-coated almonds on wedding tables–each guest receives a handful of them–and at christenings. (Any celebration is a good excuse to enjoy them. You can order them here, at Amazon.)
Meantime, enjoying every moment with Dad while he is in France! Thanks to my belle-mère, Marsha, for this father-daughter snapshot taken in Cassis. Why the socks, Dad? Oh, I see: "Keeps the mosquitoes from biting!"… 🙂
Marsha and Dad also celebrated 20 years of marriage. Bon anniversaire de mariage!
And yesterday, September 23rd, was my Mom's 68th birthday. I shared this photo and this message with her on my Instagram:
Celebrating Mom's birthday today. Wish we could be together, dressed in brightly-colored swimsuits, lipstick smeared across our cheeks–daring, finally, to live exactly as we please. (Photo taken today in Sanary-Sur-Mer)
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On my one and only tour through France, in 1996, we had french fries at a sidewalk cafe. Not one apology to ketchup, but once having been initiated to ‘frites avec moutard.’ Oooohlala… 😉 no turning back.
On my one and only tour through France, in 1996, we had french fries at a sidewalk cafe. Not one apology to ketchup, but once having been initiated to ‘frites avec moutard.’ Oooohlala… 😉 no turning back.
What a great September month! Happy birthday or anniversary to you all! love love love is in the air, how sweet!
We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last week & we’re off to the Seychelles to start our next 30 years together! Loving, caring, and being loved… keys for a wonderful life!
Your photos are so lovely and… funny : they bring us sunshine, wherever we are! Thank you!
What a great September month! Happy birthday or anniversary to you all! love love love is in the air, how sweet!
We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last week & we’re off to the Seychelles to start our next 30 years together! Loving, caring, and being loved… keys for a wonderful life!
Your photos are so lovely and… funny : they bring us sunshine, wherever we are! Thank you!
Happy Anniversary! Most of all, THANK you for that beautiful word-picture of you and your mom, smeared in lipstick and living large! What a lovely wish. That brought such a smile to my heart. Joyeux anniversaire to Jules.
Happy Anniversary! Most of all, THANK you for that beautiful word-picture of you and your mom, smeared in lipstick and living large! What a lovely wish. That brought such a smile to my heart. Joyeux anniversaire to Jules.
Happy Anniversary, Kristin and Jean Marc! We leave for France today and hope we will have an opportunity to meet you. September is an important month for us as well with many birthdays to celebrate .
Happy Anniversary, Kristin and Jean Marc! We leave for France today and hope we will have an opportunity to meet you. September is an important month for us as well with many birthdays to celebrate .
Hi Kristin,
Love the charming window scene! I love the trois bisous! Maybe it is 3 in Belgium. I just love the kissing on each cheek! What’s funny is while searching for spelling…is it bisous or bises? I found a site that tells you how many kisses according to region! How funny! http://combiendebises.free.fr/
I learned to get used to eating with my fork in my left hand and not to switch back, lukewarm coke, no window screens (how do you deal with all the flies?!)
Enjoy your day!
Hi Kristin,
Love the charming window scene! I love the trois bisous! Maybe it is 3 in Belgium. I just love the kissing on each cheek! What’s funny is while searching for spelling…is it bisous or bises? I found a site that tells you how many kisses according to region! How funny! http://combiendebises.free.fr/
I learned to get used to eating with my fork in my left hand and not to switch back, lukewarm coke, no window screens (how do you deal with all the flies?!)
Enjoy your day!
In enjoy the politeness here in France. Going into shops you are greeted by a Bonjour, and always, always say please and thank-you. And one must not forget to say au revoir (good-bye) and Bonne journée when leaving. Also, any greeting with a friend must start with how are you and how is the family. Going to any club meeting, you greet (bisous) each person when you arrive. These are nice personal touches.
In enjoy the politeness here in France. Going into shops you are greeted by a Bonjour, and always, always say please and thank-you. And one must not forget to say au revoir (good-bye) and Bonne journée when leaving. Also, any greeting with a friend must start with how are you and how is the family. Going to any club meeting, you greet (bisous) each person when you arrive. These are nice personal touches.
Coming from south Louisiana, we share many old French customs – and more than a few Acadian ones. Food is a special shared interest and I often make cassoulet in winter. Of course, that requires a fridge cleaning so I can identify left overs and I don’t use my fireplace for that purpose but good, nonetheless.
It is wonderful to read of so many happy days spent with your family enjoying the French ambience.
Coming from south Louisiana, we share many old French customs – and more than a few Acadian ones. Food is a special shared interest and I often make cassoulet in winter. Of course, that requires a fridge cleaning so I can identify left overs and I don’t use my fireplace for that purpose but good, nonetheless.
It is wonderful to read of so many happy days spent with your family enjoying the French ambience.
When I was a child we lived in France. One dark, very rainy evening we were following a man on a bicycle wearing a rain poncho. When he approached the intersection where he was going to turn left, instead of sticking his arm our horizontally to signal a left turn, out from the slit in the poncho appeared a long loaf of French bread! How clever of him but I bet the family wondered why their banquette was soggy.
When I was a child we lived in France. One dark, very rainy evening we were following a man on a bicycle wearing a rain poncho. When he approached the intersection where he was going to turn left, instead of sticking his arm our horizontally to signal a left turn, out from the slit in the poncho appeared a long loaf of French bread! How clever of him but I bet the family wondered why their banquette was soggy.
un courant d’air = that brings back memories of my grandmother who always knew that there was a window open somewhere in the house creating a draft – “Il ya a courant d’air – va voir ou c’est.”
un courant d’air = that brings back memories of my grandmother who always knew that there was a window open somewhere in the house creating a draft – “Il ya a courant d’air – va voir ou c’est.”
Je me Roselle les croque monsieurs!
Je me Roselle les croque monsieurs!
Oops, je me rapelle les croque monsieurs.
Oops, je me rapelle les croque monsieurs.
Visiting Paris some years back, I called a friend who lived there to arrange a lunch date.
Me: We’ll pick you up at your apartment around noon.
She: You won’t be able to get here. The Metro workers went on strike this morning.
Me: Well … I guess we could take a cab.
She: No need. The strike ends at noon. Meet me here at one.
(In the U.S., you see, strikes don’t end until worker’s demands are met or a compromise is negotiated. They last for weeks or months, not hours.)
Visiting Paris some years back, I called a friend who lived there to arrange a lunch date.
Me: We’ll pick you up at your apartment around noon.
She: You won’t be able to get here. The Metro workers went on strike this morning.
Me: Well … I guess we could take a cab.
She: No need. The strike ends at noon. Meet me here at one.
(In the U.S., you see, strikes don’t end until worker’s demands are met or a compromise is negotiated. They last for weeks or months, not hours.)
Happy Anniversary! Two fave French customs:
1) As someone mentioned above, the practice of shopkeepers saying “merci, au revoir, and/or bonne journee” when you leave. If you engage them back (Merci, madame, au revior….), they’ll keep at it! It could go on all day, but it’s so charming.
2) Though I see this less, I love it when meat and sometimes vegetable purveyors at the markets give you some fresh parsley as a little gift with purchase
Happy Anniversary! Two fave French customs:
1) As someone mentioned above, the practice of shopkeepers saying “merci, au revoir, and/or bonne journee” when you leave. If you engage them back (Merci, madame, au revior….), they’ll keep at it! It could go on all day, but it’s so charming.
2) Though I see this less, I love it when meat and sometimes vegetable purveyors at the markets give you some fresh parsley as a little gift with purchase
Two favourites:
The custom here in the village of gifts of trays of apricots, peaches & apples from their orchards.(I make jam & chutney & freeze for winter)
I also like that in Supermarkets when one has finished at the checkout the girls always wish you “Bonne weekend, or Bonne continuation”
Likewise, whoever passes by, known or not ,adult or children or teenagers(!) it’s “Bonjour Madame, bonne journée”
Lovely !! Happy anniverary
Two favourites:
The custom here in the village of gifts of trays of apricots, peaches & apples from their orchards.(I make jam & chutney & freeze for winter)
I also like that in Supermarkets when one has finished at the checkout the girls always wish you “Bonne weekend, or Bonne continuation”
Likewise, whoever passes by, known or not ,adult or children or teenagers(!) it’s “Bonjour Madame, bonne journée”
Lovely !! Happy anniverary
Drinking sirop at cafés has always intrigued me about the French – love it!
Drinking sirop at cafés has always intrigued me about the French – love it!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ! THE BAD – THE SMOKING ! THE GOOD – TOO MANY TO MENTION. I GREW UP IN A GERAMN TOWN ON THE BOARDER SO LOTS OF CUSTOMS WHERE SHARED. AS CHILDREN WE USED TO WAIT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON SATURDAYS BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT EITHER A WEDDING OR A CHRISTENING WOULD TAKE PLACE AND THAT THEY WOULD HAND OUT `LE DRAGEES ` LOVE THEM TO THIS DAY !
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ! THE BAD – THE SMOKING ! THE GOOD – TOO MANY TO MENTION. I GREW UP IN A GERAMN TOWN ON THE BOARDER SO LOTS OF CUSTOMS WHERE SHARED. AS CHILDREN WE USED TO WAIT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON SATURDAYS BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT EITHER A WEDDING OR A CHRISTENING WOULD TAKE PLACE AND THAT THEY WOULD HAND OUT `LE DRAGEES ` LOVE THEM TO THIS DAY !
My favorite French traditions that I experienced when I lived there were: Gallette de Rois, Oysters & Champagne at Christmas, and well…everything being closed on Sunday. What a treat!
My favorite French traditions that I experienced when I lived there were: Gallette de Rois, Oysters & Champagne at Christmas, and well…everything being closed on Sunday. What a treat!
There are almost too many, bur I’ll name a few. Putting your comforter from your bed in the bedroom window in the morning to air it out. Patiently standing in line while an older man or woman has a long discussion with the shopkeeper (boulangerie, charcuterie . . .) while everyone else in line waits with similar patience. French men and women in nice restaurants with little dogs. CV4’s. The French shrug. Vide greniers. Tiny fetes where mergueze, frites are served at 10 in the morning. The Sunday afternoon promenade in our port (Roanne) where it isn’t unusual to see four generations walkiIng together. Enough. This is a lovely country to live in.
There are almost too many, bur I’ll name a few. Putting your comforter from your bed in the bedroom window in the morning to air it out. Patiently standing in line while an older man or woman has a long discussion with the shopkeeper (boulangerie, charcuterie . . .) while everyone else in line waits with similar patience. French men and women in nice restaurants with little dogs. CV4’s. The French shrug. Vide greniers. Tiny fetes where mergueze, frites are served at 10 in the morning. The Sunday afternoon promenade in our port (Roanne) where it isn’t unusual to see four generations walkiIng together. Enough. This is a lovely country to live in.
PAIN AU CHOCOLAT ! When we are in France we are always in search of the best Patisseries – that make the most delicious pain au chocolat. I love the dipping of them into coffee and it dripping and flaking everywhere. Nothing like a fresh out of the oven, first thing in the morning “Pain Au Chocolat” !
PAIN AU CHOCOLAT ! When we are in France we are always in search of the best Patisseries – that make the most delicious pain au chocolat. I love the dipping of them into coffee and it dripping and flaking everywhere. Nothing like a fresh out of the oven, first thing in the morning “Pain Au Chocolat” !
des milles feuilles! Fantastiques!
des milles feuilles! Fantastiques!
Happy anniversary! We are traveling in France and spent a week in Florence area for our 40th anniversary…lovely, but France is in our hearts.
Over 20 years of coming to France we have many favorites customs … Many already noted. Being a dog lover..I love everyone can take them almost everywhere. Enjoy your a Dad and family this week!
Happy anniversary! We are traveling in France and spent a week in Florence area for our 40th anniversary…lovely, but France is in our hearts.
Over 20 years of coming to France we have many favorites customs … Many already noted. Being a dog lover..I love everyone can take them almost everywhere. Enjoy your a Dad and family this week!
We love kir peche. It’s so refreshing, especially if you can have it sitting outside at a cafe.
We love kir peche. It’s so refreshing, especially if you can have it sitting outside at a cafe.
Moi aussi j’ habite à la Louisiane (Lafayette-better known as Acadiana or “Cajun” country. Mon anniversaire de 71 ans était samedi le 20. Thank you for reminding me that part of my bucket list is to be more daring & to do exactly what I want to do when I want to do it…almost!
Bonne anniversaire à tout!
Moi aussi j’ habite à la Louisiane (Lafayette-better known as Acadiana or “Cajun” country. Mon anniversaire de 71 ans était samedi le 20. Thank you for reminding me that part of my bucket list is to be more daring & to do exactly what I want to do when I want to do it…almost!
Bonne anniversaire à tout!
great picture shares, and what would be your favorite customs..as you have raised your children in France they have French customs..when I returned to the States, or when they visited me in France..they though my “adaptions” strange..to me they had become normal.
great picture shares, and what would be your favorite customs..as you have raised your children in France they have French customs..when I returned to the States, or when they visited me in France..they though my “adaptions” strange..to me they had become normal.
The 13 desserts at Christmas (dans le sud), aperitif before wine (I get strange looks when I do that here), breaking the baguette from only one end, and one of my favorites – although I wouldn’t partake in this now – wine served in the high school cafeteria for teachers, and during lunch for military 🙂
The 13 desserts at Christmas (dans le sud), aperitif before wine (I get strange looks when I do that here), breaking the baguette from only one end, and one of my favorites – although I wouldn’t partake in this now – wine served in the high school cafeteria for teachers, and during lunch for military 🙂