Eastern French culture question

Do it. Let them take you where they want and smile the whole time. You'll probably see some things that you had no idea existed. Idea as a small gift for the dad: mini-mag light (two AA battery size), the things are seven bucks or so here an four times that there. I always tote a few for such things and people really seem to appreciate it. Sorry, no idea for the mom.

Take them to lunch or dinner. Buy a big bouquet of flowers before you leave.

Hi Lisa,

If you're arriving by train say at Strasbourg, see if there is a flower shop in the train station, which has been remodeled--I was there in August of 2009--from ten years ago and buy a bouquet (definitely not roses) for the mother to present to her upon meeting her and the husband. Allow them to take you around and pay; they are doing this avec plasir (with pleasure.) If you want to treat, let them know in advance that it's your invitation.

Offering to split the bill or pay your share is seen as a definite insult. If you just cannot get to a flower shop before meeting them, do that as soon as you can.

The Alsace region is absolutely lovely and most interesting, great white wines and cuisine, one of my top three favourite areas in France. Happy Travels!!

People like nothing better than to show off their cities. Let them show off where they live, this is not an imposition, but a pleasure.

Perfect advice, I wang to accept their hospitality but want to demonstrate my gratitude in the way are use to.

Floweres! Who does not love flowers.

Lisa, I agree with Fred - get flowers for your hosts upon arrival. Mums and heather are considered funeral flowers in some areas, by the way. There is a small possibility that they will also greet you with flowers, depending on their local customs. Have you considered a book about your home town/home state with lots of pictures? Something Western?

Expect to eat a lot!

Hi Lisa,

I forgot to mention this: I assume you might be driven around in Alsace or they might ask you what places you would like to see; in such a case, don't say that you want to help pay for the gas...that's also a real insult and will be taken as such.

You will be the gracious guest in your accepting their hospitality, even if it seems to you that they are driving you all over the place to see the various lovely sites in Alsace....they're doing this avec plasir...I know. Happy Travels

Because the Alsace has been handed back and forth between Germany and France several times in the past two centuries their culture is very rich and interesting. I just saw a TV program saying that with all the borders open now it's become very common for the French to buy some of their groceries on the German side vv. They might want to show you what they've got in common with the Black Forrest but also what makes them stand out. From a French perspective the Alsace is "behind the mountains". To the locals Frankfurt e.g. is much closer than Paris, which is why there are shuttle busses between Strasbourg and FRA airport. But again, on the other hand they do want to make sure one understands they're French - and especially in Strasbourg they're very proud to be United Europeans. In AZ you've got different cultural influences and two languages, too. Find out what you've got in common with the Alsaciens... ;-)

You hosted their child for a month so allow them to reciprocate.