French idiosyncrasies

[rabbit]

I am trying to compile a list of items that Brits find strange in France for my English class. So far I have

Shops displaying « Entree libre »
Public toilets with no loo seats
Roundabout procedures
Prioritié à droite

Can you add to this? Thanks

[demi]

The formality of texts & Whats Apps! Always start with Bonjour & end with bon journee!

Unavailabilty of 'man size' paper hankies.

The lack of litter.

I am part of a group (all French save for me) that plays cards once a week. My English friends are amazed we don't have a pause for a cuppa!

In fact, the general absence of snacking in between meals.

I'll keep thinking.

[Sparkle]

Opening hours - you can't rely on them

[Blaze]

If your evening class starts at 20h, the French arrive at 20h sometimes later
Potato crisps in supermarkets are never with the other apéro snacks
8 à Huit shops are closed between 12h and 14h
The way some French want to be called by their first names yet expect to be "vous".

[Graham]

Garages not being open for car sales on Saturdays

[ajm]

Indicators? What are they?
Someone follows you for miles then overtakes just before the slip road exit.

[exile]

The lack of chain stores (until Aldi and Lidl arrived). What appeared to be chains were in fact franchises leading to a wide number of differences between stores in the same group. Our Super U does have crisps next to the other appros. It does not have a foreign foods aisle.
Same can be said for some bank chains, electrical goods chains.

Politeness. Strangers of all ages will wish you a good day.

[exile]

The 2 hour lunch - which genuinely takes 2 hours.

[Polarengineer]

French websites.
Most fail or hang halfway through and links do not work.
Almost never state prices and make you request a devis (making it impossible to do comparisons)
Are covered in glossy photos of happy people and have nothing to do with the subject being offered.
Do not always cover the important aspects such as all the specifications and dimensions of the object.

[demi]

Always amazes me how many French women (over the age of 55) don't have their own email address but share one with their husband.