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Contrary to popular belief, the true French kiss does not actually involve any tongue – sorry!

The French kiss, or bise, is a form of greeting, like a handshake, except done on each side of the cheek. Also unlike the handshake, the way of doing the bise differs from region to region. That is to say that, whether you give 2,3 or 4 kisses, and on which cheek you start from, depends on which part of France you are in. Even the French find this confusing; just let the people around you be your guide.

A few tips to remember:

• Most young people only exchange one kiss.
  
• Men usually shake hands (although it is common for young men who are good friends to exchange the bise, this is not a comment on their sexuality).
  
• Generally, women kiss and are kissed by everybody.
  
• Non-Europeans can sometimes find the personal contact of the French greeting a little daunting. Just remember that it is a cultural aspect, not a come-on!
  

French Party Culture

In Paris, being an international city, you can find just about anything. So we would say that the place to view true French culture is outside of the capitol, and this goes for the French night life as well.

Dinner & Drinks


The night on the town in France usually begins with a gathering at someone’s house, for dinner or drinks, before going on to a bar or nightclub. House parties are popular.

Nightclubs


“Bohemian” is the word I would use to some up the French attitude to partying. They stay out late (we are talking 7am here, not the 3am we are so proud of back home in Australia), they drink and they smoke.

Nightclubs are not the same here, however. They open very late, you are expected to visit a bar first, and they charge very expensive entry fees. Normally with this you get a free drink, but after this free drink is gone, expect to pay outrageous prices for any additional beverages. Most people get together and buy a bottle of alcohol from the bar (up to FF600), as it is cheaper.

Night clubs are often quite far away from the town center also, requiring either a taxi or your own car. Which leads me to another point: the French think nothing of drunk driving. Blame this on their Latin blood if you will, but here, men are men, and if you’re woozy enough to not want to drive after a few drinks, then it’s best not to show your face around town for a while. Coming from Australia, with the unforgettably graphic anti-drink driving campaigns; I find this terrifying.

Cigarettes


Pretty much everyone smokes here. Cigarettes are cheap compared to France’s British neighbour, and there is little in the way of anti-smoking campaigns here. But cigarettes aren’t the only thing the French commonly smoke…

Drugs


Marijuana is amazingly common here. I have yet to meet any young person who doesn’t smoke it. A lot of them grow it as well.

For those who don’t have their own homegrown supply, grass is rare and the poison of choice is hashish (hash). Hashish is generally imported from North Africa, and it is the people from this minority group who are usually associated with dealing (which, in my opinion, is a comment on a social problem here in France. There has been an influx of North African immigration to France over the past few decades, leading to fear and of course racism in certain parts of the French society – like everywhere else where immigration is an issue).

It is in NO WAY recommended that you should try to procure drugs in France, for although it is common, it is still illegal. The French who smoke generally do so discretely, in their own home with friends, after dinner. As common as marijuana may be, I have yet to come across any other drug here in France. Large towns may be different, but it appears that the party drugs so popular in the UK, etc, right now have yet to make an impact here in France.

Alcohol


The French are true connoisseurs of alcohol. They know the brands and creeds of wine, cognac and pineau etc. They know which brand of foreign beer is truly the highest quality. They know which alcohol is to be drunk before a meal (aperitif) and which one to choose to wash a meal down (digestif). Even the scruffiest-looking rastifarian will be able to give you a rundown of the best Bordeaux reds. They rarely get drunk – tipsy yes, but getting drunk is for 16-year-olds. In France, you must appreciate your drink. Alcohol is sold (cheaply) in supermarkets, and there are a few exclusively French drinks you really should try:

• Pastis: Clear liquid mixed with water to turn a cloudy yellow, tastes like aniseed.
  
• Beer with syrup: Beer flavoured with peach, apricot or strawberry syrup. You can also find those who flavour their white wine with syrup too.
  
• Cognac: All cognacs are brandies, but not all brandies are cognacs. A cognac is a double-distilled, aged wine (40% alcohol) originating from the Cognac region of France only (anything produced outside this area is a brandy). In this region, there are many cognac houses that offer tours and tastings. A superior cognac is drunk neat or with ice, whereas a younger cognac is drunk with ginger ale or tonic.
  
• Pineau: Similar process to cognac, but a much, much sweeter drink. Like a very strong dessert wine (can be red or white).
  

Music


Reggae is all the rage at the moment, and closely behind this is South American music. In the clubs you will find a lot of techno, and 80s music is still popular, but just for a bit of fun; it is not taken too seriously. All French radio stations have a quota of nearly half their time which must be devoted to French music (it’s the same with the telly). Therefore, you will sometimes hear English musicians singing in French to get on the radio, sometimes with hilarious results (you should try hearing Robbie Williams singing “Love Supreme” in French…)