Never underestimate the importance of ‘hello’ in France

Overheard in a café in Audierne (Finistère) this week:

 Deux cafés, s’il vous plaît.

 Bonjour, Madame.

 What? Oh, bonjour. Deux cafés, s’il vous plaît.

 Bien sûr, Madame.

The waiter was clearly irritated by the rudeness of the customer, who was confused by the correction but soon realised that she had made a faux pas. 

In French culture, whether at a till, a post office counter, a reception or a café, you should always open with bonjour or bonsoir; fail to do so, and you will often be bluntly corrected.

“You can tell when the Parisians and tourists have arrived,” explained the waiter afterwards. 

“They come to Brittany for the quality of life and the authenticity, but then carry on like they’re in the city. 

They give an order like we’re Starbucks. Sometimes they don’t say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’, but when they don’t even say ‘hello’ that really annoys me.”

In many parts of France, particularly rural areas, people will give a general greeting of Bonjour, Messieurs-dames (or just Messieurs-dames) when entering a bakery, pharmacy or even a waiting room. 

You will not necessarily offend everybody if you don’t do this, but you risk being categorised as a visiting holidaymaker or city type. 

In some places, it is also still standard to say Au revoir, Messieurs-dames as you go, thus taking your leave of the room as a whole. This is a charming social nicety, and if it is still practised in your hometown, playing your part in maintaining the tradition costs nothing.

Have you made a similar faux pas that you are happy to share? Let us know by emailing feedback@connexionfrance.com