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France

French etiquette draws sharp lines: a handshake for business, la bise for friends, never the two crossed. It also has firmer opinions than most cultures about the literal table — where your hands go, where your bread goes, and what you say before you say anything else.

6 rules.

Category

Country

Rules in France

Shake hands in business settings, skip la bise

Business

Put bread directly on the tablecloth

Dining

Keep your hands on the table

Dining

Skip chrysanthemums and even numbers when gifting flowers

Gifts

Greet friends with la bise, not a hug

Social

Always say "Bonjour" before anything else

Social