How to Instantly Annoy a French Person Without Realizing It
Think you’re blending in like a local? Not so fast. A few seemingly harmless habits can instantly irritate a French person, even if they don’t say a word. Some will just give you a knowing look, others might correct you – but either way, you’ll know you did something wrong.
1. Saying “Bonjour” Without Eye Contact

A proper bonjour is a social ritual. In France, greetings are personal. If you mumble it while looking at your phone or the menu, it comes off as dismissive or rude. A quick glance and a friendly tone go a long way. Skip this step, and you might get a cold reception.
2. Asking for a “To-Go” Coffee Everywhere

Coffee isn’t meant to be gulped down on the run. While some cafés serve it in paper cups, the classic French way is to sit and sip! Ordering a “grand” coffee to go at a brasserie can feel out of place. Especially if you’re expecting a massive American-style cup!
3. Cutting Bread With a Knife Instead of Tearing It

This one’s subtle. Baguettes aren’t meant to be neatly sliced at the table. The proper way? Tear off a piece with your hands. It’s a casual, everyday habit, but using a knife for bread at a relaxed meal can seem oddly stiff and formal.
4. Dipping a Croissant in Coffee at a Café

At home, do whatever you want. But in a café, dipping your croissant into a café crème might get you a few raised eyebrows. It’s not a huge faux pas, but it’s just not the way it’s done in public. Who wants pastry crumbs floating in their coffee anyway ?
5. Trying to Split the Bill Like an American

In the U.S., splitting the bill evenly or down to the last cent is common. In France not so much. People often round things off or take turns paying. Insisting on an exact division, especially with a calculator, can feel needlessly fussy and vulgar. Just go with the flow.
6. Mispronouncing “Merci” Like ‘Mercy’
French pronunciation isn’t easy but some mistakes hit harder than others. Saying “mur-sy” instead of “mehr-see” might make a French person visibly wince. They probably won’t correct you, but they’ll notice. Want to practice? Say it softly, and don’t overdo the R – French Rs are subtle, not growled.
7. Saying ‘Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?’ Like It’s a Joke

That line from Lady Marmalade? It’s cringeworthy in real life. It’s not clever, it’s not funny, and no one actually says that in France. Dropping it in conversation (especially with a smirk) will make a French person instantly question your life choices.
8. Calling Every Cute Town a ‘Little Paris’

Not every charming French town is Paris in miniature. Lyon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg all have their own distinct character. Comparing them to Paris might seem like a compliment, but to a local, it just shows you don’t know much about their city.
9. Asking for Ketchup With Everything

Fries? Fine. But ketchup on steak, cheese, or anything remotely gourmet? That’s asking for trouble. Many French restaurants don’t even have ketchup unless specifically requested. If you ask for it with a well-prepared dish, expect a look that says, Are you sure you want to do that?
10. Asking for a “French” Manicure in France

It’s just called a manicure. The term “French manicure” actually comes from the U.S., and most French people don’t associate it with France at all. If you ask for one in a salon, you might get a confused look – or a quick confirmation that you want pink with white tips!
11. Bringing Wine to a Dinner Party Without Checking First

It seems polite, but in France, wine is carefully chosen to match the meal. If you bring an unasked-for bottle, your host might feel awkward about whether to open it. If you want to bring something, flowers or a box of good chocolates will always be appreciated.
12. Talking Loudly in Public Spaces

Loud voices stand out in France, and not in a good way… In restaurants, metros, and even outdoor markets, people keep conversations at a lower volume. If your group is the loudest in the room, you’ll get subtle glances (or not-so-subtle sighs) from nearby tables.
13. Trying to Speak Spanish When They Don’t Understand Your French
If a French person doesn’t understand your attempt at French, switching to Spanish won’t help, and it might even annoy them. While Spain is next door, most French people don’t speak Spanish fluently. If your French isn’t working, try English, or better yet, rephrase your French more slowly.
14. Ordering a ‘Champagne’ That Isn’t from Champagne

Not all sparkling wine is champagne, and the French take this distinction seriously. If it doesn’t come from the Champagne region, it’s just crémant or sparkling wine. Asking for “cheap champagne” when ordering a bubbly drink is an easy way to get a disapproving look.
15. Trying to Hug Instead of Doing La Bise
Hugs aren’t really a thing in France, at least not for casual acquaintances. The typical greeting is la bise, the cheek kiss (or sometimes just the gesture without actual contact). Coming in with a big bear hug might make a French person stiffen up like a board.
16. Bringing Up Work at Dinner

Unless you’re at a business lunch, work talk is boring talk at a French dinner. Conversations revolve around food, culture, politics (careful with that one), or life in general. Asking someone what they do for a living before discussing literally anything else can feel a bit transactional – or outright rude.
17. Assuming Every Cheese Is Brie or Camembert

France has over 1,000 types of cheese, yet some visitors call every soft, white-rinded cheese Brie or Camembert. A French person might politely correct you – or just shake their head internally. If you’re unsure, just ask what it is rather than making a guess.
18. Eating a Baguette While Walking Down the Street Like It’s a Snack

Yes, fresh baguettes are irresistible, and you’ll often see French people carrying them under their arm. But tearing off chunks and eating them while walking is something tourists do, not locals. Bread is part of a meal, not street food. If you must, at least be discreet.
19. Ordering Foie Gras and Asking for It Well-Done

Foie gras is meant to be soft and rich, either served cold as a pâté or lightly seared. Asking for it well-done is like requesting a burnt soufflé, it just doesn’t make sense. If you’re not into foie gras, it’s better to skip it than to request an improvement.
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Now you know what not to do! Avoid these missteps, and you’ll blend in a little better – or at least avoid the quiet judgment.