After being in Aix-en-Provence for two months I have noticed that everywhere you go you must greet the people you are interacting with before starting a conversation or continuing on with your day. My French professor told me that if you do not say hello and goodbye to retail employees, waiters, coworkers, and teachers that you are seen as impolite. I found this very interesting because it is common in America to say hello to employees in smaller retail shops, but it is not obligatory. I was going into H&M with a friend who needed to use the restroom and she asked a security guard for a bathroom before greeting him (which he did not like), so she corrected herself and he was happy to show her where a public restroom was. I have worked in multiple restaurants and retail stores where employees are taught to greet each customer and say goodbye to them when they leave, so when people do not acknowledge you it comes off as impolite and that you are being looked down upon as a service industry worker. Although it is not the norm to greet everyone in America, I think we could learn something from the French standards of politeness. I think this custom should be adapted into every culture because we are all equals that deserve to be acknowledged when interacting with each other. The French value politeness and manners with everyone you meet. I have noticed that children do not act out in public settings, there are formal and informal greetings, and it is important to present yourself in “put together” manner. The culture is very formal in comparison to the United States, but it teaches people how important it is to respect each other and places clear boundaries in which higher levels of respect are demanded (such as speaking very formally to elders and people you do not know). I have been very appreciative of this new norm because it creates more inviting environments and opens the door for conversation with new people.
