Errors can occur to even probably the most skilled travellers to France. I made many throughout my first few journeys to France (and nonetheless make some now however I’m bettering!) Have a learn and see which of them are new to you! I’ve obtained a listing of 10 expensive and embarrassing journey errors to keep away from in France.
[You can check out my post about the 10 Dos and Don’ts When In France as the more common mistakes that tourists make are listed. Two French language mistakes in that post have to do with not using “bonjour” when you enter a store and using “Vous” and “Tu” (you) incorrectly.]
Let’s begin with the funniest errors you may make in France—these errors might be embarrassing in French, not only for you, however for the individual you’re chatting with.
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A. Fake Pas In French, In France: Embarrassing Errors In France
Within the French language, there are various double meanings. A French fake pas is an embarrassing mistake. In France, you actually don’t need to make these 5 embarrassing errors as some have sexual connotations. So if you find yourself in France, watch what you say. It would come throughout the unsuitable manner!
Mistake #1: You Didn’t Imply To Say It Sexually!
If you wish to communicate French, you actually ought to test the correct manner of claiming phrases that you just often use in English. It may be extremely embarrassing should you assume you realize what you’re saying and as a substitute say one thing completely inappropriate. What involves thoughts? The sentence, “I used to be excited…(ie. excited to see you, maybe?)”.
Don’t use the phrase, “Je suis excité(e)” (to be excited). It’s not what you assume it means. Sure, there’s a sexual connotation when used by itself.
In the event you’re thrilled about one thing, use, “être excité(e)”. For instance, you’re excited about or thrilled about a visit…about one thing. If you wish to convey that you just’re trying ahead to one thing, say, “J’ai hâte à + occasion”. For instance, “J’ai hâte à mon anniversaire”. (I’m trying ahead to my birthday or I can’t await my birthday).
Mistake #2: Had been You Sizzling or Attractive?
Right here’s one other phrase you shouldn’t say. Let’s say it’s summer time and it’s 95 levels in Paris. Sure, you might be (temperature) scorching. You must say, “J’ai chaud” (I’m scorching) simply as you’ll say “J’ai soif” (I’m thirsty) or “J’ai faim” (I’m hungry).
Do NOT say, “Je suis chaud”. It principally means, “I’m sexy”.
Mistake #3: You’re Good….In Mattress?
I do know you need to congratulate somebody by saying, “Tu es bonne” (“You’re good”), however sadly, this implies “You’re good in mattress” (nicely, really one thing worse than that). As a substitute, say, “Tu chante bien” (You sing nicely)—say what the individual is sweet at.
Mistake #4: You’re Pregnant Or Drunk?
One of many first French phrases I realized at school was “Faites le plein” (replenish the gasoline tank). Don’t say “Je suis pleine” whenever you’re full after a meal. It means you’re pregnant or drunk. As a substitute, say “J’ai assez mangé” (I’ve eaten sufficient) or “J’ai trop mangé” (I ate an excessive amount of).
Mistake #5: “To Kiss”
Don’t use the phrase “baiser” as a verb (to kiss) because it will also be a vulgar slang time period when used alone and relying on the context. If you’re not cautious, you may say, “Il m’a baisée” which implies “He f____ed me” although you thought you had been saying, “He kissed me”.
It’s higher to say, “Il m’a embrassée”, “faire une bise”, or “faire une bisou” to imply to provide a kiss on the cheek.
How To Kiss In French
If you’re all for kissing somebody the “French manner”, right here’s what it’s best to know:
Don’t kiss the unsuitable variety of instances. You’ve seen it within the films: two folks greet one another and kiss one another on the cheek. It actually isn’t a “kiss” however a coming collectively of the cheeks. The kiss is “la bise”. Kisses are given on every cheek by women and men to the identical and reverse intercourse. However do you know that totally different areas have a special variety of kisses? Right here’s the rule:
- 2 bises (one on every cheek) is for Paris
- 3 bises are sometimes used within the south of France
- 4 bises are sometimes used within the north of France
B. Expensive Errors To Keep away from In France
On the subject of making errors in France that find yourself costing you (me) more cash, it often has to do with not paying consideration, which is bizarre as a result of I’m a element individual; nevertheless, I believe that whenever you’re travelling and attempting to determine the place to go and attempting to maintain your eye in your baggage, your purse, and your security on the identical time, it turns into overwhelming. New environments may cause you to make errors. Listed here are just some expensive errors I’ve made in France.
Mistake #6: Paris Metro (or Tram And Bus) Violations
The Paris RAPT (Metro/Tram/Bus) system has many guidelines and whenever you don’t observe them, you might be fined. They’re on the trains on a regular basis and so they even have bank card machines with them. Violations shall be enforced on the spot. Even with a Navigo Simple go, I’ve been stopped and my go has been scanned to verify it had been validated.
The inspectors encounter 1000’s of riders who break the foundations, so that they’ve turn into unsympathetic and tone-deaf to those that complain. Don’t strive the “However I’m a vacationer” line. It doesn’t matter and so they don’t care.
Listed here are just some of the methods that you could be fined:
- should you don’t have your Metro ticket on you earlier than you permit the station (“Sans titre de transport”)
- should you haven’t validated your ticket (“Non validation d’un abonnement”)
- when you’ve got put your toes on the seat (the Infraction is named “Pied banquette”)
- should you’ve been caught being disorderly, smoking, and so on. (“Bother de la tranquillité”, “Violation de l’interdiction de fumer”, and so on.)
- On the RATP web site, they record the violations and fines:
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Mistake #7: Not Fastidiously Checking Which Prepare To Board
I’ve by no means made this error once more as a result of it was a serious mistake (and a expensive mistake as well). After I arrived on the practice station, I checked the departures board and situated what platform (voie) my practice was to be on. I headed there and lord is aware of why I believed my practice was on the precise. I used to be so focussed on moving into the proper automotive (coach) and discovering my seat that I didn’t test if it was my practice!
Checked With Different Passengers
Because the practice began leaving precisely on time, the announcer listed the cities. Hmmmm, Some college students informed me I used to be going to Perpignan, which is on the best way to Barcelona. I requested one other passenger if this was the practice going to Barcelona. She stated sure. So at the very least I used to be stepping into the precise route: south; however, I used to be on the completely unsuitable practice!
As time went on I began to get nervous. One thing didn’t really feel proper. I obtained as much as test if I used to be in automotive quantity 11. No, I wasn’t. Perhaps I used to be simply within the unsuitable automotive. I walked by the practice and found there have been solely 8 vehicles. No automotive quantity 11!
Checked With Prepare Personnel
I spoke to a practice personnel who stated I used to be on the unsuitable practice and will get off on the subsequent cease in Nimes. I may then make my approach to Barcelona. There was a practice leaving 5 hours later and I had to purchase a brand new ( $175) ticket in first-class as every thing was bought out in second class. There was nothing else I may do.
To Keep away from Making The Mistake I Did
- test the practice quantity, coach, and seat quantity in your ticket
- on the departures board, test what “voie” (platform) your practice shall be on
- whenever you get to the platform there’ll usually be trains on both aspect. Each might be heading in the identical route (ie. south) but it surely’s necessary to look fastidiously at your ticket and see what the practice quantity is.
- test the digital board on the platform to substantiate what aspect your practice shall be on and the place it’s best to board the practice. Your coach will correspond to a spot on the platform (ie. A, B, C, and so on). For instance: coach 11 traces up with letter “G”.
- double-check with practice personnel to make sure you’re on the proper platform and proper aspect.
Mistake #8: Not Paying Consideration To Pace Limits And Parking Indicators
As I wrote on this publish “Journey Recommendation: Visitors Tickets In France”,
I obtained 2 rushing tickets and a parking ticket all throughout one journey, just because I used to be not paying consideration. France has increasingly more photograph radar machines in operation, so I’m now particularly cautious when driving and parking.
This publish discusses how I discovered about my infractions and the way I paid the three tickets.
Mistake #9: Not Studying The Particulars About Checking In
A couple of years in the past, I booked an residence in Biarritz with a ravishing view of the ocean. I arrived on a Sunday at 5 pm and nobody was at reception.
The place I rented was situated in an residence constructing with a entrance desk; nevertheless, I used to be not cautious sufficient to test that reception was solely open within the morning, so I had no lodging for that night time. Luckily, it was mid-September, and I used to be in a position to get a cheap resort room simply 2 minutes away. Had it been excessive season…..lord is aware of what I’d have achieved or how rather more it will have value me! That was a expensive mistake.
Mistake #10: Falling For Scams
I don’t signal petitions, purchase Eiffel Tower keychains from guys on the road, or take tuk-tuk rides. What you assume is an efficient deed or low-cost will find yourself costing you greater than you assume. Do your analysis on the place to purchase souvenirs and who to take excursions from.
Additionally, don’t go along with a taxi driver who approaches you. Be part of the taxi line and, if after getting in, the motive force says he’ll solely take money and he can take you to an atm machine, get out. S/he’s both not a respectable taxi driver or the motive force merely doesn’t need to pay the bank card charges and taxes. You must be capable to pay with a bank card. And going from the airport to Paris, there’s a fastened price worth that varies relying should you’re going to the left or proper financial institution. Take a look at this publish to see the varied methods you will get from the airport to central Paris.
Mistake #11: Tipping After A Meal
You don’t want to provide a tip after you end your meal. Most meals are “Service Compris” which implies the service/tip is included within the invoice. In the event you really feel the service went above and past, was “excessive”, and deserves particular recognition, then go away just a few Euros.
Now that you just’re conscious of some errors you would make whenever you journey in France, be sure you take a look at these High 10 Useful Hints.
Are there any journey errors in France that you just’ve seen different vacationers make (otherwise you’ve made) that you just’d wish to share?
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