Give a kiss on each cheek as a French greeting—5 tips to go from tourist to Parisian

▲Travel in France (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

By Rita

Paris is a dream destination for many, with the Eiffel Tower, the Left Bank, and the Louvre—all contributing to this incredible city. Although many say Parisians aren’t great at speaking English, as a traveler, learning about the local culture beforehand is an essential part of the experience. If you don’t want to seem like a tourist and wish to engage with locals in a friendly manner, you can followthe advice of internationally renowned travel magazine Traveler, focusing on these three aspects: attire, greetings, and basic French.

1. How to greet people?
Start with “Bonjour”! This word isn’t just used when someone introduces you—it’s appropriate when you enter a shop, meet restaurant staff for the first time, or step into an elevator. You’ll hear “bonjour” everywhere, and if you use it to greet people, they’ll respond kindly. “Bonsoir” is technically for evenings, but the exact time to switch to it is vague. Some people say “bonsoir” when they finish work, but a safer time is around 7 p.m. While saying “bonjour” in the evening is acceptable, Parisians will quickly figure out you’re a tourist.

2. What to do and what not to do
“Kissing on both cheeks” is a common greeting between women, or between men and women, in French society. But note that two men usually shake hands—they don’t kiss cheeks unless they’re very close or good friends. Also, since foreigners often struggle to get the kissing tempo right, it’s best to let the French person initiate to avoid awkwardness. As for the number of kisses, just follow the other person’s lead. In Paris, it’s usually one kiss on each cheek, but in some friend groups or different regions of France, there are varying customs. The key is to observe first.

3. What to wear?
If you want to look like a local, avoid wearing sweatpants, baseball caps, flip-flops, and white sneakers. In short, Parisians have a stylish everyday look—but that doesn’t mean you need to buy designer brands. Casual can still be fashionable. Take a look at how Parisian women dress: skinny jeans paired with tailored tops, Converse or simple flats—simple yet chic. Parisians love trench coats (known as “le trench” in French), while men often opt for casual suits, and just adding a scarf completes the look.

4. How to walk and talk
Parisians walk fairly fast, though not quite at race-walking speed. When walking on Parisian streets, keep to the right (this also applies to escalators). If you need to ask for directions, try to stand to the side so you don’t get glared at. Compared to the more expressive Mediterranean cultures, Parisians speak more softly, so talking too loudly in public will definitely draw attention—and not the good kind. Be warned, loud voices may also attract pickpockets.

5. Learn the local language
Learning a few local phrases isn’t too much effort for travelers, but it can bring surprisingly positive reactions. “Bonjour” (hello) is a must, and so are “merci” (thank you), “au revoir” (goodbye), “s’il vous plaît” (please), and “l’addition” (the bill). But remember, never call waitstaff “garçon”—it’s very rude.

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