Meeting people from other countries is one of the many joys of traveling. Whether visiting France for business or pleasure, it is useful to know how to greet others. Even if you don't speak any French, an arsenal of simple French greetings and a basic knowledge of French etiquette will come in very handy when meeting locals.
Decide whether the situation is formal or informal. In France, word choice depends on the person being addressed. Use formal greetings to address strangers, elders, superiors or in business settings. Use informal greetings when addressing family, friends, peers and those your own age.
Say hello. The most common greeting used in France is "bonjour," which means "good day" and can be used in formal or informal daytime settings. Say "salut," which means "hi," in informal settings only. "Bonsoir" is only used at night and means "good evening."
Use appropriate body language. In both social and business settings, shake hands with everyone when arriving and also on leaving. One thing you'll notice in France is that it is customary to greet family and close friends with a kiss on each cheek.
Ask how someone is doing. As in the U.S., in France it's very common to greet others by asking how they are. In informal situations, use "Comment vas-tu?" (literally, "How do you go?") or "Ca va?" (literally, "It goes?"). For more formal situations, say "Comment allez-vous?" ("How do you go?"), or simply "Comment ca va?" ("How does it go?").
Introduce yourself. If you are meeting someone for the first time, tell them your name. You can do this in several ways. "Je m'appelle Tom" means "I call myself Tom." "Je suis Tom" means "I am Tom," and "Mon nom est Tom" means "My name is Tom."
Bring a small gift for the hostess if invited to someone's home, and present it to her upon arriving. Give a small, business-related gift in business relationships, but not on first meeting. Pay special attention to quality and attractive wrapping.
