TIME
Be aware that the 24-hour
clock is universally used and there is no a.m. or p.m.
indication (except sometimes in speech). So you need to get used to 13
as 1 p.m., 14 as 2 p.m. etc. For 2:15 p.m. you will often see something
like 1415 or 14 h 15, where the “h” means
“heures” (hours). Noon is “midi.”
GREETINGS and
COURTESY
When you enter an office, a shop (or an elevator)
ALWAYS say “Bonjour” or “Bonsoir” followed by
“monsieur,” “messieurs” (plural),
“madame,” “mesdames” (plural), or
“messieursdames” (a bit old-fashioned, for a mixed group).
And when you leave (or get off the elevator) - “au revoir,”
followed by the same monsieur, etc. Even if you pronounce these badly,
people will know you’re making an effort.
Always thank people - “Merci beaucoup,
Madame” (mare-see-beau -KOO, mahDAHM), etc. - but note that
if you answer simply “Merci” when you are offered
something, it means “NO thank you, I don’t want any.”
If you step on someone’s foot or dog or fall
in their lap (e.g. on the bus), say “Excusez-moi”
(eck-skee-zay-MWAW) if you can. “Pardon” is for less
serious offenses, such as leaving an elevator before someone else, or
“politely” pushing ahead of someone.
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