You might think that going to France is all about Paris and visiting all of its tourist attractions like The Eiffel tour, The Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe. But there’s more to the culture than most know. After 6 visits to France (as a 15 year old) I'd like to think I'm an expert by now. With that I would like to share my knowledge and experiences with you through 4 tips to finding your way through France as a teen.

Tip 1: Speaking French

The first thing I want to talk about is the language. You may have heard the stereotype that most French natives dislike speaking English to visitors and it's true. In their society it is considered rude to expect them to immediately know English whether they have learned it or not. When speaking to a native they would prefer you TRY to speak French first, to show an effort, before you switch to English. When trying to learn their language don't be scared to ask for tips and tricks from locals. Many are exceptionally kind and love to help. This is the best way to learn and strengthen your knowledge of the French language. 

There was one time I was at a restaurant with my mom looking over the menu finding something to order when she encouraged me to practice ordering from the server in French. I was unsure because I didn't want to embarrass myself by making a mistake but wanted to practice some more. I began ordering in French and we started up a conversation with our waitress. It felt satisfying to face my fear and learn along the way.

Tip 2: Don’t Take it Personally

French culture is particularly different from American culture. The French are very direct when it comes to speech, communication, and opinions. For example, you could be in a shop trying on clothes. They might say that something you have doesn't fit your complexion or does not fit right. They are extremely straightforward and don't hold back their opinions as opposed to Americans, who would be more considerate and would not make any comments about your appearance . 

Another instance of a cultural difference has to do with boundaries. For example, once I was out with my mom and aunt (who is French) and it was getting late. I was hungry so we decided to stop for some fries. Although my aunt said she was not hungry she ate most of the food I had ordered. Some boundaries that are very normal and obvious to Americans may not be customs to people in other regions. For situations like these it is best not to take offense or get heated but understand and take things lightly.

Tip 3: Go with the Flow

In general, when it comes to punctuality, the French are laid back. Whether it relates to work and everyday life or going out, they take their time with everything they do. They have more time off of work and have many more breaks.

For example, don’t expect restaurants to be open all day, like in the US. The French take more breaks and time in between their working hours. For example, if lunch at a restaurant ends at 3 the restaurant will close and will not serve until dinner starts which is about 7 or 8 pm which we could consider late.

So my advice to you is go with the flow and follow their lead. Just be patient and understanding because they have a style to their culture. They take a lot of time for themselves and so should you. It is calming. 

TIP 4: Managing Smoking and Drinking

The smoking and drinking customs in France are remarkably different from what you might be used to. Drinking and smoking is a very common practice and in Europe the drinking age is lower than in the US. I would say they are much more responsible with it, especially teens, because they begin drinking at an earlier age (16 is the drinking age). They are much more cautious and seem to barely misuse it. As a current teen, I believe it is best to learn with adults, especially since the drinking tradition in America differs. It is better to learn how to be responsible from trusted adults.

In conclusion, looking back at my past travels to France, it's evident that there are many cultural differences but it isn't hard to learn and adapt to different cultures and lifestyles. Doing this would broaden your perspectives and help you discover more customs. Here I have listed 4 ways to do that. Practicing the language, keeping an open mind, going with the flow, and being attentive and responsible are the best ways to act when traveling abroad.