The French Ingredient

Thanks for the tip. I’ve ordered it from my local library and am 4th in line!

Thank you, khrystia! The Denver Public Library has it, and I look forward to reading it.

Greeting/acknowledging a proprietor or employee is an essential social function. Of course, in the evening it’s “Bonsoir.”

I remember being in a shop in Avignon on one of my first times in France (having said “Bonjour”), and another tourist walked in, right in front of the young woman running the shop, and just started perusing merchandise. The shopkeeper was clearly stunned by the social faux pas.Maybe that’s happening more and more, so even if shopkeepers are still uncomfortable with it, it’s no longer surprising.

In addition to the interesting memoir story, reading the book will hopefully ensure that I won’t be the person who misses doing something else that should be done in France.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've just ordered it from my library!

Merci Khrys! Like Susie and Cyn above, we have ordered it too. Fwiw, I am spoiled whenever we travel to France. My high-school French is only about 70% whereas my Montreal-born wife is completely bilingual. Lucky me!
During my first career as a rock musician, speaking a little French with audiences went over gangbusters - it def made a difference.
If you might have any interest in a southern Brittany TR, below is our recent report. It also includes a tiny pinch of Paris. Like all our TRs, it is both photo-dense and loooooooooong. We always include music, tips and humor.
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/lappel-de-mer-a-southern-brittany-tr-also-paris-1723447/

Over on Fodors where I go by 'zebec', we also have TRs for other French locales:
'En Pays Villefranchois', 'Cuckoo for Cucuron' and 'D'Aix.'
Also Montreal/Tremblant: 'En Pays Quebecois.'

I am done. the French book

CBS Saturday Morning did a story on the author this morning:

https://youtu.be/NPWZCiXQWkg?si=arAHYA69JOlTYYP1

Thanks for sharing this, Frank II. Interesting to see the inside of her school, since the book doesn’t have any photographs.

Thanks for this book recommendation.
I borrowed the book from my local library and enjoying it!
Lots of good tips about French culture that I didn’t know! :)

We've found this to be true in most countries, and it even works in the US in places outside the city.

Thanks for sharing about the book and the video! I’ve saved this in my Paris bookmarks for hopefully a trip there next spring. The food walking tours look like so much fun!

You may subscribe to their monthly newsletter. I took a class there (not recommended for learning, but still fun).