French Culture: In French, people constantly soften w...

Here is something about French culture that might surprise you. In French, people constantly soften what they say with little politeness markers, even in casual conversations, in a way that feels much more formal than everyday English. In French, they say Je voudrais… / S’il vous plaît / Excusez-moi, which means French everyday speech is built around showing respect and distance, especially with strangers: using *je voudrais* instead of “I want,” *s’il vous plaît* instead of a bare “please,” and formal *vous* instead of *tu*. These tiny words signal that you recognize the other person’s dignity and that you’re not being too direct or demanding. To French ears, skipping them can sound brusque or even rude, while using them correctly instantly makes you sound more polished and socially aware.. Traveler tip: In shops, cafés, and with anyone you don’t know well, always start with *Bonjour* and then use *je voudrais…* plus *s’il vous plaît* to sound naturally polite. Learn the culture, not just the words. PollyStop.