Since the days prior to the Renaissance and the times of the Musketeers of King Louis XIII, a man was expected to act on French manners and etiquette as trustworthy men of integrity of those days did. When it comes to decipher what to do in France, a man should decide if he intends interact with French people.

Should a man decide to reach out and socialize with people of the land of Voltaire and Renoir, it is not hard to decipher what to do in France in the XXI century; and that is to learn in advance manners and etiquette French folks anticipate that he should have.

Should you be that man, there is then one more thing to do in France. Gain what is needed to cultivate, to nourish, and to refine your life as you become a gentleman with manners and etiquette French people ~and a French lady perhaps~ assume that you should have. Is you the man in that picture? Then, this article was written for a man like you.

* Getting Dressed *

» Good taste and quality are virtues that these folks thrive on. As a result, how a gentleman dresses is vital. It is not a matter of showing off a fat wallet. The matter to demonstrate is his taste. For instance, taking a girl to rather private place wearing a poets shirt is one on the many ways.

» On the other hand, it is distasteful if you wear sport clothing and sunglasses if invited to an evening private party; and it is inappropriately to over-dress the person or group you are meeting with in the name of "I have good taste and wear quality."

» In Perfume Country, you do not go wrong way if you wear cologne. Just do not pour in too much of it. A clean shave, well-trimmed hair, clean and short finger-nails, and good grooming of a beard or mustache ~if there is one~ are also mandatory.

* Meeting With A Group Or A Woman *

» After you are properly introduced, you must refer to everyone with a title followed by a surname. French manners mandate that you do not change that treatment until you are told to do so. French etiquette expects a gentleman to refer to a woman as Mademoiselle if he does not know her marital status.

» After you met with that group and the corresponding intro ducting took place, you shake hands with each of them making eye-contact as French manners mandate. As you leave the group, you get yourself in hot waters if you use a general "Good bye everyone." Instead, you politely approach each person ~not interrupting but apologizing if inevitable~ and shake hands making eye-contact. You accompany your kind salutation expressing that you are pleased to see him or her again OR that you look forward to see him or her again.

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

» A gentleman has pleasant topics to bring to a conversation, and he speaks clearly and intelligently. It is important to not engage in a talking about religion, politics, or personal economy. Should such topics come up, you simply say that you prefer to not discuss certain topics. It is not less important to refrain from making statements on French matters unless you know what you are talking about.

» One thing to do in France is to not be loud during any conversation. It is seen as distasteful, unrefined, and a way to denote disrespect if disturbing, troubling, or bothering other folks nearby. It is innate to French folks to be passionate. It will be well-received if you show your passion when talking. Just do it tastefully, when it is appropriate, and do not be loud. They are serious about it !

* Meeting A French Woman *

» It is possible that she arrives ten to fifteen minutes late. You are a gentleman, however; and so, you are expected to have a trustworthy word. Consequently, you arrive as promised or even a few minutes earlier. Same punctuality applies when meeting with a group.

» Limit yourself to shake hands with her as you use an expression like "Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer" [I am pleased to find you again]. You may hold her hand with both your hands if you prefer, but do not crash her bones or shake up the poor girl like a maniac.

» As a good French lady, she will display her taste to you in the way she dresses, the look of her skin, her hair style, and jewelry or fine Bijouterie that she likely wears. One thing to do in France is to act on what French manners dictate and French etiquette mandates in such case, and that is to not compliment the appearance of a person you met recently. Do not get personal in France !

» For the same reason, avoid questions accepted in other countries such as "What do you do for a living?," or "Do they pay well?," or "Do you have your own car?," or "Where do you live?"  Do you want to know what to do in France? Do Not Get Personal !

» Once you both arrive to a nice place ~that you found because you are the man~ you denote finesse and kindness when pulling the chair out of the table ~and then push it in~ to let her sit down more easily. You may also want to hold open any door for her or ~when unlocking a car's door~ you keep open the car's door for her to enter the vehicle. However, do not do it just once or twice. You better do not do it at all or else you let her know that finesse and kindness of your actions applied only when you first met her.

» What to do in France when going out with a woman is to keep in mind that these folks are masters at using knives and forks. Don't you dare to use your fingers to eat a leg of chicken or to pull with your teeth meat off pork chops. An action involving fingers with food is disgusting to them. These folks are well-refined, and they even eat fruit with knives and forks.

» It is common and well-accepted for you and her to have an intense eye-contact. You are telling her that you have genuine interest in the conversation you are both having. Please, do not interpret any of it as her having an interest in you. On the contrary, to engage in a conversation and then... you look away from her or you get distracted or you take a call on your cell-phone or you yawn... you just offended her. She likely wants you out of her life.

» It would be charming if you surprise her with a heart-warming act. Just leave her for a minute or two, and run to a very close by Flower Shop. Come back to her with a small flower, and tell her how much you appreciate her presence or that you are enjoying her company.

» After meeting with a woman more than two or three times ~and you feel well-accepted~ you may hold her hand up and kiss it as long as you feel confident doing it naturally. Do this when you first see her at the meeting place, or before the evening comes to an end.

» Assuming a first encounter goes well, French manners and etiquette indicate that it is well-accepted if you offer her a card displaying your personal information. It is a card tastefully designed for matters of personal nature only, and not a business card.

» Should you arrange to meet with her at some other time ~and you feel it is appropriate~ you may send her flowers or a box of fine "bon bon" before or after that encounter. If you want to know what to do in France is to not bring flowers or anything bulky that she has to carry in her hands.

One more thing. If you want to know what to do in France is that French manners and etiquette is nothing new to these people. It is a way of life they followed and acted on for centuries. Should you elect to make yourself part of it, it is likely that your friends and relatives back home notice that you have cultivated, nourished, and refined yourself. Most likely, a finer girl will conceive you as a highly regarded and well-thought-of gentleman just like a Musketeer of King Louis XIII.