Wouldn't it be incredible if there was one "secret word" that, every time you used it, instantly gave you an advantage?
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| this is you after you learn the secret word! |
The Crucial Cultural Context
European culture, and French culture in particular, is a bit more formal than our own in the US. When you encounter someone ~ anyone ~ they fundamentally expect you to formally acknowledge them with a proper greeting before you begin to speak. They do this by saying "Bonjour," and they expect you to do the same. If you walk into a small shop, ask for directions, or inquire about the price of an item, the proper (and expected) way to start is with a smile and "Bonjour."
In the US, we're very casual. We might walk up to a clerk and simply say, "Does this shirt come in yellow?" But in France, and across much of Europe, beginning a conversation without a greeting will make you seem mildly rude.
Here is the simple, four-step French traveler's handshake:
Look them in the eye.
Smile.
Say "Bonjour" (pause, smile again, and wait for their reply ~ maintain eye contact!).
Then, and only then, can you order your coffee: Un café, s'il vous plaît (A coffee, please).
These small steps of engaging with the local culture are the key to a successful, wonderful vacation. They prevent you from being one of those travelers who returns home complaining, "The French are so rude."
Earning the "1% Credit"
"Bonjour" is acceptable to use at any time of day. They will respect you simply for saying it. If it’s late (usually after 6 PM), some people might correct you by saying “Bonsoir” (good evening), but trust me, they will give you what we call "The 1% Credit" just for trying!
What do we mean by "The 1% Credit?"
It’s simple: 99% of American tourists don't even try to speak the language. To the French, this registers as a small but significant act of disrespect. Imagine the opposite: You own a small shop in the US, and a French traveler walks in and immediately starts speaking to you in rapid French. You shake your head, indicating you don't understand, and they just repeat the same thing, louder. You’d probably start to think they were a little inconsiderate, right?
Welcome to their world. This exact scenario ~ starting a conversation without Bonjour and then communicating only in English ~ happens to shop owners, waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel staff all day long. We, as Americans, tend to do this more than most other cultures. You don't need to be fluent. You just need to make a tiny effort. Failing to acknowledge a simple "good day" or "thank you" in their language sends a disrespectful message. It is absolute anathema to many French people when a conversation begins without Bonjour.
Our Philosophy: Experiential Immersion
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| 65% of our female guests come home with a beret! |
We want you to have the very best vacation experience possible. Our philosophy for achieving this is **"experiential immersion"**. ~ getting you as close to the local culture as possible so you can have truly authentic experiences.
This Blog is part of our strategy: we start immersing you into the culture ~ their values, customs, cuisine, and language ~ months before you leave. For a small company like ours, this is how we compete: we know that if we can get you into "the immersion zone," you will have an outstanding vacation. And when you do, you might just join us again for another tour! (Fun fact: 65% of our female guests come home with a beret!)
200 Words: Your Key to Connection
Does this mean taking a college course? Not at all... Try spending 90 seconds a day quizzing yourself or your partner on a "Word of The Day & Menu Item of the Day." By your departure date, those lists will total around 200 of the most commonly used French words for travelers. With those 200 words, you’ll be able to communicate, understand more of what you see, and create a stronger bond with the local Provençal people.
200 words is a lot! The last paragraph total just 77 words. Imagine if you could read three paragraphs like that if they were in French!
Another great option: Spend 5 minutes a day on a free resource like DuoLingo. Five minutes a day for the next seven months is almost 18 hours of study! We’ve seen guests on our Tuscany and Provence trips find incredible success and become almost conversational with this approach.
The Phrasebook Tactic
If you don't want to spend three months in an immersion course, here is the simple solution:
Learn the "Word of the Day" list.
Buy a small, inexpensive or used phrasebook.
This is important: Rough up the phrasebook to make it look well-used, and carry it in your back pocket.
When you need assistance, simply approach the person and say: "Bonjour Madame/Monsieur, pouvez-vous m'aider?"(Good morning Madam/Sir, can you help me?)
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| join today ~ membership is free! |
At that point, you can respectfully proceed in English. And here is the very best part: They will think the world of you for the mere fact that you tried!
You are now in The 1% Club. They become much more compassionate and helpful. They’ll offer better service, and they may even walk you down the street to show you directions. You will have done your part to save the image of the other 99% of Americans who won't even bother to try.
(One final tip: The Google Translate app's "conversation mode" is also a great tool, but practice using it before you leave! No one enjoys standing around waiting for you to figure out an app while they have other things to do.)
