Culture(s)

When greeting someone, should you shake hands or kiss (faire la bise)? What do you talk about when you start a conversation with your neighbour? To find out the answer to these questions, read this cultural information and compare the ways of saying and doing things in different French-speaking countries.

Culture(s) / Talking to strangers

A1 Breakthrough

In your country, what do you say when you want to ask a stranger for information? Do you speak the same way to people older than you are as you do to people your age?

When travelling, you often need to ask strangers for directions or information.

When French-speakers address someone in the street, they use the "vous" form and polite phrases. Among themselves, the younger generation often goes from the "vous" form to the "tu" form without asking for permission.

Women can be the first to speak to men.

In Quebec people are much more likely to use informal language with a stranger.

Find out more:

- "Tu" or "vous"?