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07/05/2008, 6:58 5-element Joined on 28/10/2006 Languedoc Posts 977 Re: Death.... then integration  powerdesal wrote: Perhaps our French forum members could advise me how to avoid being kissed by the French staff as it is obviously bad mannered of them and I would not want to give offence by turning away or holding them off at arms length. As another French forum person, I find it hard to imagine being kissed by the bank staff...and I have never witnessed such an event with other clients.... but maybe I have the wrong kind of relationship with my local Crédit Agricole, as I find most of the staff there equally unhelpful and clueless. PDS I am therefore intrigued, very intrigued....    Report

07/05/2008, 7:28 woolybanana'sbrother Joined on 18/01/2008 Posts 1,321 Re: Death.... then integration Perhaps the kissing hides the cluelessness. I suppose the ultimate would be getting kissed by one of the crones at the Hotel des Impots. Though I did get a long and rich laugh when I asked whether I should declare my (ex)wife as part of my patrimoine and whether there was a write off for les belles-mères.   Do not try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.    Report

07/05/2008, 8:38 Patf Joined on 23/08/2004 SW Gers Posts 2,333 Re: Death.... then integration Steve - I wonder which part of France you are talking about? The staff in our Credit Agricole are very warm and friendly, especially our Nathalie. She has invited friends of ours to the Bank dinner and always greets warmly. She has never offerred to kiss us, but I can imagine it as a possibility. In this area women often kiss eachother, but men only shake hands with men.    Report

23/05/2008, 7:26 Acoustic Joined on 16/05/2008 North Dordogne Posts 51 Re: Death.... then integration We initially found moving to France hard after living in Andalucia for 6 years for this very reason.  There the level of familiarity is much more noticeable, although you would still definitely need to know the appropriateness of certain actions.  Moving to "tu" is quite rapid, much more so than in other parts of Spain, but you have to gauge the move pretty shrewdly!  And two kisses on the cheek is so common that I still have to think twice here as it is very usual on first introduction in Spain on social occasions, almost like the British handshake. But even there I would find it amazing in a commercial situation - the bank teller might be calling you "tu" after a few visits unless you make a point of using "usted" (vous) - sometimes used as a "distancer" in various circumstances (a whole other story) - but any kisses would be most unlikely! All in all I find it easier in France now, "vous" almost invariably (we've never yet got to know anyone where "tu" might be used) and, so far, no kisses!    Report

23/05/2008, 10:28 dragonrouge Joined on 08/02/2008 Posts 142 Re: Death.... then integration Steve the bank in Percy or Villedieu?  makes a difference    Report

23/05/2008, 11:00 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 Fujeirah, U.A.E Posts 2,240 Re: Death.... then integration Villedieu. Steve Fujeirah Emirate, U.A.E + 50 (in France) ...........................................................................    Report

27/05/2008, 23:24 Tom Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 92 Re: Death.... then integration To save embarrassment on the kissing front, keep this map handy: bises    Report

28/05/2008, 6:28 Frenchie Joined on 31/05/2007 Niort, 2 Sèvres,79 Posts 4,653 Re: Death.... then integration It can be helpful, but not totally accurate.. For example here in  Deux Sèvres, it's 3 kisses, unless you re in a hurry or there are too many people to kiss.. In this case, yes, it 's 1 ...  I know, it's more than confusing............ And in dpt 35 , it's 4 kisses, for sure . But this map may give you all a hint about the general tendancy. I believe in miracles ..........    Report

28/05/2008, 9:29 Cendrillon Joined on 19/10/2007 S.E. England & S.W.France Posts 440 Re: Death.... then integration  Frenchie wrote: It can be helpful, but not totally accurate.. For example here in  Deux Sèvres, it's 3 kisses, unless you re in a hurry or there are too many people to kiss.. In this case, yes, it 's 1 ...  I know, it's more than confusing............ And in dpt 35 , it's 4 kisses, for sure . But this map may give you all a hint about the general tendancy.   Usually 4 kisses in Charente-Maritime (17) unless you are in a hurry or there are too many people to kiss, as Frenchie said. Cendrillon    Report

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France Forum » French Culture » French Culture » Death.... then integration

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