Studied by 53 peoplela douleur: Vous vous êtes fait mal
Aïe!
la colère: vous êtes fâché(e)
Zut!
l'incompréhnsion: Vous voulez qu'on répète
Hein?
l'admiration: quelqu'un porte un nouveau chapeau
Pchch
l'hésitation: vous cherches vos mots
Euh...
l'approbation: vous avez aimé le concert
Bis!
la joie: vous venez de gagner un prix
Youpi!
l'impatience: vous voulez que quelqu'un s'en aille
Ouste!
le dégoût: Vous venez de boire du jus qui n'était pas frais
Beurk!
la provocation: Vous proposez à un ami de sauter le ruisseau
Chiche!
C'est pour vous. Je vous ai approté des chocolates
Vous êtes trop aimable
Je vous invite à venir dîner chez nous demain soir
C'est très gentil de votre part
Vous viendrez avec nous?
Une autre fois
Il faut qu'on s'en aille
Déjà?
Bonne journée!
A vous aussi
C'est moi qui vous invite
Il n'en est pas question
Je dois vous rembourser
Cela peut attendre
Pierre ne pouvait pas venir mais il vous dit bonjour
Dites-lui bien des choses de ma part
Vous en reprendrez?
Volontiers
Ca vous dérange?
Du tout, du tout
C'est mon arrêt. Est-ce que je peux passer?
Je descends/Vous descendez?
Je suis à l'appareil et je vous écoute
J'écoute
Je ne suis pas d'accord avec vous
Je regrette
Attendez-moi, je serai prête dans deux minutes
J'arrive
Je ne sais pas encore si je vais l'acheter ou non mais je vais y réfléchir avant de prendre une décision
Je réfléchis
Eye contact
French people like direct eye contact. Getting another drivers attention this way can get them to allow you into a line, a waiter will take you more seriously with eye contact, and people in small stores like eye contact and a bonjour monsieur or a bonjour madame before asking for what you want
Posture
French people have good posture. Standing up straight and keeping your hands out of your pockets can indicate self-respect and respect for others
Use of Space
French people stand (or sit) very closely to each other while carrying on a conversation so they can speak softly for privacy (you shouldn't be heard at another table)
Touch
The French are okay with more touch between couples than Americans are, but they have less touch between friends (a shorter handshake, la bise instead of a hug)
Smell
French people have more of an acceptance of body odor than Americans do - they do not feel the need to mask it as much
Clothes (or lack there of)
French clothes have a closer fit than American clothes and they don't often have bright colors, logos, or shirts hanging out. French women are more comfortable in their bodies as well. They really emphasize la tenue correct, or being appropriately dressed
Facial Expressions
French people smile less than Americans. They smile when there is a reason to smile, to show you have made a connection with someone. They prefer the real smiles to American polite smiles. French people often do a 2 second pout at well to indicate reflection rather than a negative attitude
The French pout
You say "bof" with the elbows close to the body, hands palm up and wider apart than the elbows. This means "So what? Who cares?"
Forehead tapping
You say "ca ne va pas, non" while tapping your forehead with your index finger or making small circles with your index finger on the side of your head (not near the ear!). This indicates that someone has done something crazy
The eye thing
Say "mon oeil" while pulling down on your lower eyelid with your index finger. This means "likely story" and indicates disbelief or skepticism
The beard thing
Say "la barbe" while you stoke the side of your face like you have a beard. This indicates that something is boring.
The drunkard
Pretend to grab your nose with your first and twist it from side to side. This indicates that someone is drunk and doesn't require any words
Hand shaking
Say "oh la la" or "ca alors" while shaking your hand from your wrist 3 times. This indicates that you had a close call, it means "I was scared there for a minute"
Note
Flashcard