Throughout centuries, people of the land of Renoir has shown the world that French manners are a major issue to them. Since the days of Musketeers of King Louis XIII, it is recorded that trustworthy and reliable men known to act on the highest human standards, values, and principles would be given the honourable and well-thought-of job of protecting and defending the King and Queen.

Little it takes to deduce that when visiting France, it is wise to learn French manners. It is because grooming and appearence, how you dress, your demeanor and deportment, and what comes out of your mouth are to most French people billboards that display your inner qualities; and give them a first glance at what is inside a gentleman expected to be as if he were a Musketeer of King Louis XIII.

Dressing Up

* French people greatly value taste and quality. Consequently, the way a gentleman dresses is vital. However, it is not about showing off with his clothing how fat his wallet is. It is all about unveiling how good his taste is. For instance, a jacket tailored to the body showing a shirt's cuffs with cuff-links or a poet shirt when going out with a lady are good examples.

* It is also important to be properly dressed for the occasion. In other words, do not wear shorts, polo shirt, and sun glasses if you are invited to an evening private party. Likewise, avoid to over-dress the person or group you are meeting with.

* In Perfume Country, cologne is expected; but do not pour in half a bottle. A scent of it is all that is needed. A clean shave, a well-trimmed hair, and clean and short finger-nails are mandatory. If there is a beard or moustache, ensure they are well-trimmed at all times.

Meeting With A Group

* After a proper introduction, you refer to each person in the group with a title followed by a last name. French manners mandate that you do not change that treatment until you are indicated that you may do so. Should you not know the marital status of a woman, her title is always Mademoiselle.

* Should you casually find the group elsewhere, French manners makes mandatory for you to shake hands as you make eye-contact with each of them. When leaving, never use an equivalent to "Good bye everyone!" What you do instead is to kindly approach each person ~apologizing if you interrupt~ and shake hands as you make eye-contact expressing in words that you are pleased to see him or her again OR that you look forward to see him or her again.

Meeting With A Woman You Have Been Introduced To Before

* It is acceptable for her to arrive reasonably late. However, a fine gentleman is expected to have a trustworthy word; and he unfaltering arrives as promised. Same punctuality applies meeting with a group.

* It is appropriate to shake hands as you use an expression similar to "Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer" [I am pleased to find you again]. You may hold her hand with both your hands and firmly do so ~or not~ but do not crash her bones or shake her hands like a maniac.

* If you take her to a sidewalk café ~for instance~ you denote kindness and respect by pulling the chair at the table to facilitate her sitting down, or holding the door open for her, or both. However, you must continue doing so every time. Otherwise, the message is that you are kind and respectful only during a first encounter.

* If you take her to a restaurant, there are two critical points to remember:

1.- You may send her flowers before you meet with her or you send her flowers afterward; but please, do NOT show up with flowers or any present that she has to carry in her hands. 

2.- French people have perfected eating with knives and forks. So please, do NOT use your fingers to eat a leg of chicken or eat the meat off a pork chop using your hands. These folks are refined enough as to eat fruit with knives and forks.

* An intense eye-contact with a woman is acceptable, quite common, and it demonstrates that you have genuine interest by not ignoring her. It is NOT intended for you to believe that she has an interest in you. On the other hand, to make eye-contact and to then look away ~or to disgracefully take a call on your cell-phone~ is how you imply that you do not care. She is likely to feel offended.

* A French woman displays her taste with her dress or outfit, the look of her skin, her hair style, and her jewelry or fine Bijouterie. French manners dictate that it is inappropriate to make comments or to compliment her appearance. Do not get personal !

* After you have met with a woman more than twice ~and you know that you are well-received and accepted~ you may kindly hold her hand up and kiss it as long as you feel confident doing it naturally. You may do it when you meet with her, or right before leaving.

* Assuming it is appropriate for her to contact you in the future, it is well-accepted if you present her with a card displaying your personal information. It is a card tastefully designed for matters of personal nature, and NOT a business card.

The following applies when meeting both a group or a woman.

1.- French manners expect you to show kindness by allowing her ~or others in a group~ to talk; and respect by allowing everyone to talk without interrupting. French manners mandate that a conversation must never be the prevailing monologue of one person. Otherwise, he is telling her ~or others in the group~ "Shut up. It is all about me."

2.- In a conversation, a fine gentleman has amenable and intelligent talkings. It is highly advisable, however, to not talk about politics, religion, and personal economy topics; and do NOT talk about French matters unless you are knowledgeable.

3.- French people find loudness distasteful, rude, and a way to show disrespect to others. Nothing a gentleman does must affect other people in the nearby area. Since French people are passionate by nature, you may also be passionate when talking; but by all means do so tastefully, only when appropriate, and do not be loud !

4.- Avoid questions commonly accepted in other countries such as "What do you do for a living?", or "Do they pay well?", or "Where do you live?", or "Do you have a car?" Do not pry. Do not get personal !

Although not everyone in France is French, and not every citizen acts on French manners, this article ~not intended to be complete~ provides a man visiting France with real facts on French manners. Since great many French people have high standards, values, and principles ~and act on their French manners~ they are reluctant to be involved with folks who show to not be on the same side of the fence with them.

When visiting France, means that a man's grooming and appearence, how he dresses, his demeanor and deportment, and what comes out of his mouth build his reputation.