I’ve heard so many things about France while living abroad and reading expat blogs that I wanted to give you the truth about 7 myths about France. So you never sounds like a tourist, more like a real French expert.

The boulangerie is at the heart of French culture. French can drive miles for a good baguette. And you can spot the best boulangeries by the waiting line on Sunday mornings.

I always tell my foreign visitors to try everything in the boulangeries: breads, viennoiseries (croissants, pains au chocolat…) and pâtisseries (cakes).

The boulangerie is the perfect place to get out of your comfort zone with easy steps. The phrases you need are simple, you can repeat them everyday. And improve by asking for new things. Also, it is so delicious, you will not stop going!

Caecilia from Switzerland sent me a great question: “What to wish for birthdays?”. Here is the answer. I know how embarrassing it can be not be able to say it properly. Guess what, it IS easy.

Have you ever been sick in a foreign country? Me too! And I remember very well my embarrassment while explaining my symptoms to the chemist You know what I’m talking about… The symptoms you don’t want the 10 people in the waiting line to know about.
Let me deliver you from this. Yes! Here are the basics you need to talk to the chemist in France.
Don’t mime your symptoms ever again!

I receive lots of questions about « Should I kiss or shake hands? », and I usually refer people to the free video Present yourself in France available when you subscribe to Comme une Française newsletter (it is FREE).

However, last week, Natasha from India sent me a very very good question. I’ll rephrase it like this: « How do you explain the fact that some people shake your hand one day and kiss you the next time you meet? ».

I have the question very often from my students: “Should I kiss or shake hands?”. So I’ve decided to offer my answer to you all in a 2 parts article.

On thursday, I will publish an article answering Natasha (India)’s great question: « How do you explain the fact that some people shake your hand one day and kiss you the next time you meet? ».

Here is the best kept secret of ALL French teachers abroad. Swearing words. Of course, this is the perfect time to send you children away so they don’t learn them faster than you do.

Warning: I know you might like to use these words to sound “more French” than you already do. Don’t. I’m offering them to you so you are able to spot them, understand them, avoid shameful “faux-pas”.

Ever felt clueless in a Sephora? Not being able to ask for the make-up you wanted? It hurts! It happened to me a lot. So here are the basics you will need to be “la plus belle”.

You don’t always talk to comprehensive French friends in cafes and restaurant. Sometimes, it’s cocktail time, office dinner time or meet-my-boyfriend’s-family time. Relax, breathe, read. And you’ll amaze them all with you delicate phrases and your charming accent.

Here are the phrases you can use in formal situations. I use them, I thought you would like to get your hand on them as well!

Dating or marrying a French, when you don’t speak French very well is often the “worst” way to learn the language. Why? Because SO many of you take the easy path of speaking English with him! Yes, you know I’m talking to you, girl.

It can be hard forcing yourself to use a language you don’t master in your real private life: at home, with friends, in bed… You know what I mean.

Guess what, here are 13 phrases to use at home with your French half. Yes!