Editing France (section)

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''INSIDE OF FRANCE'''</FONT>==

===<FONT COLOR="#333399">'''French People'''</FONT>===
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Before you go to a country it's good to know what its people are like. The purpose of this section is not to make generalizations or "cliches" about the people, but simply give a few general ideas which the traveler might find useful. If as a foreign person you'd like to add your views, they'll be more than welcome. 

As a French person, when you've been living abroad for several years, you meet lots of people from different countries who have been visiting France. The first questions you ask them are: how they felt in France and if they have been warmly welcomed. Most of the time they liked the country very much, but some of them complain about '''some French people being rude to them because those foreigners didn't speak French'''! Also, they make these complaints when they have been to Paris. This kind of behavior might happen in some touristy places (restaurants/shops/cafes, etc.) like any other country in the world. If that's the case, just leave and find somewhere else to go. Just because you are a tourist who doesn't speak French doesn't give the right to a French person to treat you badly! In Paris or other French cities, you have many restaurants/bars/cafes and shops, so you won't have any problems finding a place where people respect you.
Note that not all French people behave that way and lots of them are very nice to you! It is true as well that '''if you try to speak some French words, French people will appreciate and be very grateful to you'''. Indeed, not so many people can speak this language when they visit France. And not so many French people can speak English as well! ;-). '''If you can learn some simple words & phrases before you go to France it will be very helpful to you'''.

Depending on the part of France you'll go, French people's behavior will be different. In general, '''in the south, the French are more communicative so you'll have less problems going to people, but relationships are more superficial. In the north, they are more reserved, but it doesn't mean they are less welcoming, in contrary, the people of the north of France "have in the heart the sun they don't have in the sky"'''. What about the middle part?! Well again, this is a kind of generalization! People are different in each region you go! And somebody from the north can live in the south and vice versa... (hope you didn't get confused there...). Enjoy your trip in France that's all! 

Oh and also: in France you don't have only [[Paris]]! '''All the other cities are nice and interesting as well... Be curious, travel around France'''! Just for information, the limit between North and South of France is the river "Loire". In the north of this limit, the regional culturs are more germanic and in the south, the culturs are more latin.

===<FONT COLOR="#333399">'''Tips'''</FONT>===

In France the service is ALWAYS included in the price of drinks/meals, etc. Which is why the French may forget to tip when traveling abroad. Unless the server is especially nice and helpful or fun, there is no reason why you would leave a tip if all you've had is an espresso. If you want to leave a little something, you are more than welcome to do so!
For more expensive items/meals, the most common is to leave a few Euros, e.g. up to 10% of the price as a maximum. Now, if you go to a restaurant where you'll have "grande cuisine", it is part of the habit to leave minimum 10% from the bill.

===<FONT COLOR="#333399">'''Saying HI'''</FONT>===

The French way to greet people is usually to shake hands between guys; but when a guy and a girl or two girls meet, they usually kiss on the cheeks. The number of kisses varies from one region of France to another: from one on the Belgian border as an example, to two in Paris and in most places... and even three in Southern France or four in some cities of Northern and West France. (some of you guys might think it's too much, but that's the way to say hello to people in France. You'll get used to it and love it!) Ask people and they will tell you which is appropriate... and never be afraid to tell if this makes you uneasy, people will probably simply go back to shaking hands with you then! - One last thing: in the South, guys often kiss as well when they know each other well. It is spreading in the whole country, and you can see more and more guys doing it in Paris or any region as well. It probably started amongst artists but it is spreading fast amongst trendy people. So if you are a guy and another guy greats you with a kiss, don't recoil in horror... ;-) ( it is a good idea not to initiate it yourself, though).

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===<FONT COLOR="#333399">'''Money'''</FONT>===

In France, you'll pay with "euros", the european money (not accepted in all of [[Europe]] be careful!). Then, it's difficult to find some exchange office now. So I think it's easier to go to a bank and ask them for change. In France, I advise you not to have "big" bank-notes up to 100 euros because it's not really used. Creditcards as Mastercard, Visa or American Express are accepted (and ATMs are everywhere), but sometimes you can't pay with it when your bill is under 15 euros, so when you change money you should ask for smaller bills. Payment by check is possible maybe with your passport to verify your identity, no minimum demanding.