Moving to France, visiting France, or even just hanging out with French friends can be a little like stepping into a parallel universe. On the surface, life looks the same—people go to work, grab coffee, do their groceries—but the details? Oh, they’ll catch you off guard.

If you’re American, you’ll likely have a “Wait, what?” moment at least once a day.

Here are 10 everyday things French people do that consistently surprise, puzzle, or downright shock Americans.

1. They Greet EVERYONE—With a Handshake or a Kiss (or Both)

In America, a casual “hey” or wave usually covers you. In France? Nope.

French people greet. Properly. Every. Single. Time.

At the office, you don’t just stroll in and start working—you make the rounds:

• Handshakes for colleagues (a quick, single shake, not the full-on pump Americans do).

• La bise (the cheek kiss) for friends, family, and sometimes coworkers, depending on the vibe.

And it doesn’t stop there—you say goodbye too.

Leave a dinner party without doing the goodbye bises? People will talk.

For Americans, this can feel… intense. The idea of kissing your boss on the cheek? Or shaking hands with every single coworker daily? Culture shock alert.

But in France, these little greetings are the glue of social life. They show respect. They acknowledge people’s presence. And once you get used to it? It actually feels nice.

2. They Take Their Time Eating—Like, a LOT of Time

Picture an American lunch break: a 12‑minute dash to inhale a sandwich at your desk.

Now picture a French lunch break: two hours.

Okay, not always, but the stereotype has truth behind it.

Meals in France are events. Even on a weekday, it’s not weird for coworkers to go sit down at a café for an hour. On weekends? Lunch might stretch to three courses, wine included, and last half the afternoon.

This isn’t laziness—it’s culture. Eating is not just fuel; it’s part of living well.

For Americans, this can feel like a dream (two-hour lunch breaks?!) or a nightmare (I just wanted to grab a to-go burrito!).

The shock factor goes both ways—French visitors to the U.S. are horrified by the sight of someone eating Chipotle in their car.

3. They Always, ALWAYS Say “Bonjour” (or “Bonsoir”) When Entering a Shop

Americans walk into a store, nod to the cashier, and start browsing.

In France, that’s basically rude.

The unwritten rule: you greet the shopkeeper. Always.

Walk in and say:

• “Bonjour” (before 6 p.m.)

• “Bonsoir” (after 6 p.m.)

And when you leave? “Merci, au revoir.”

Skip this and you’ll get the cold treatment.

Americans don’t mean to be rude—they just aren’t trained to do this. But in France, it’s basic politeness.

It’s almost like saying, “Hi, I see you. I’m in your space.” It creates a little moment of human connection—even if you don’t buy anything.

4. They Buy Groceries Every Day—Not Once a Week

Americans love a giant grocery haul: Costco, a car trunk full of stuff, a week’s worth of meals planned.

French people? Not so much.

Many do little daily shops: bread from the bakery, veggies from the market, cheese from the fromagerie.

Why?

• Smaller fridges (no Costco freezers here).

• Freshness obsession (yesterday’s baguette? basically stale).

• Markets on every corner—shopping daily is easy and pleasant.

For Americans, this is both charming (daily fresh bread!) and overwhelming (do I really have to buy lettuce every single day?).

5. They Don’t Smile at Strangers—and It’s Not Rude

Here’s a big one: French people don’t “smile for no reason.”

In the U.S., smiling at strangers is normal. The cashier smiles. The jogger on the sidewalk smiles. The stranger at the bar smiles just to be friendly.

In France? Not so much.

If you smile at everyone you pass on the street, you might get confused looks—or people might assume you’re flirting (or a little weird).

Does that mean French people are unfriendly? Nope. They just reserve smiles for genuine moments: friends, family, actual amusement.

Once Americans adjust, they realize it feels real. When a French person smiles at you, they actually mean it.

6. They Leave Their Kids Home Alone (and Nobody Freaks Out)

In the U.S., leaving a 10‑year‑old home alone for an hour might spark a neighborhood scandal.

In France, you’ll see 8‑year‑olds walking to the bakery alone.

French culture is big on teaching kids independence early.

• Kids ride the metro alone at 11 or 12.

• Parents might leave kids home while they run errands.

• You won’t see “helicopter parenting” to the same degree.

For Americans, this can feel shocking—borderline alarming. But for the French, it’s normal (and even expected).

The unspoken rule? Kids need space to become responsible adults.

7. They Drink Wine Like It’s Water (But Don’t Get Wasted)

Americans often think “France” and picture wine, wine, wine.

And yes, it’s true: wine is everywhere. With lunch. With dinner. At family gatherings.

But here’s the thing: French people drink wine casually. A glass (or two) with a meal isn’t a “big night out.”

What surprises Americans:

• Wine isn’t gulped—it’s sipped slowly.

• People rarely overdo it. Drunkenness at the dinner table? Pretty frowned upon.

• Even teens learn early that wine is part of meals—not just a party fuel.

Americans visiting France often brace for heavy drinking culture—but instead, they see moderation built into daily life.

8. They Take Vacation (and LOTS of It)

In America, taking one two‑week vacation can feel like a bold career move.

In France? The idea of not taking vacation is almost offensive.

French workers get a minimum of five weeks paid vacation. And they use it. All of it.

August? Entire cities empty out. Bakeries close for weeks. People just… leave.

To Americans, this is shocking. Who’s running the country?!

But here’s the surprise: the world doesn’t collapse. The French come back relaxed, and life goes on.

9. They Don’t Do Big Coffees to Go

Americans are attached to their giant to-go coffee cups. The morning Starbucks run, the travel mug in the car—it’s almost cultural.

In France? Coffee culture is different.

• Cups are tiny. Espresso-sized.

• You drink it at the café—standing at the bar or sitting at a table.

• Takeaway coffee exists, but it’s not standard.

To Americans, it’s baffling. How do the French survive on two sips of coffee?

But to the French, the point isn’t caffeine volume—it’s the ritual. The pause. The pleasure.

10. They Dress Up… for Everything

Quick trip to the grocery store in sweatpants? Totally fine in the U.S.

In France? People will notice.

French people don’t necessarily wear designer clothes daily, but they do put effort into looking “presentable.”

• Nice jeans instead of baggy sweats.

• A scarf (always a scarf).

• Shoes that aren’t gym sneakers unless you’re… at the gym.

Americans often feel underdressed in France—not because the French are “fancier,” but because their baseline for “casual” is just more polished.

Bonus: The Small Cultural Whiplashes

A few other things that tend to shock Americans:

• Public bathrooms aren’t free (yes, you might need a coin).

• McDonald’s is… classy? (real cutlery, macarons on the menu).

• Tipping isn’t a thing (service is included—leaving 50 cents is “extra nice”).

None of these are dramatic—just enough to make you pause, rethink, and often, smile.

Why These Differences Matter

These little cultural quirks aren’t just “fun facts”—they shape how life feels.

France isn’t just America with croissants. Everyday habits, from saying bonjour in a shop to taking long lunches, reflect deeper values:

• Respect for ritual.

• Enjoyment of the present moment.

• Politeness as a daily practice.

For Americans, these surprises can be jarring. But once the initial “wait, what?” fades, they often become the things you miss most when you go home.

When you visit or move to France, you’ll notice these little differences constantly. At first, they might trip you up.

But slowly, you start saying bonjour every time you enter a shop. You start savoring that long lunch. You maybe even buy bread every day.

And one day, you’ll catch yourself doing one of these things back in the U.S.—saying “bonjour” to the cashier at Target or wearing a scarf to go buy milk—and you’ll smile.

Because those little “everyday surprises” aren’t just quirks.

They’re part of what makes France, well… France.