Tips for Getting Over Culture Shock After Moving to France

From Croissants to Customer Service: Making the Transition Smoother

Moving to France from the U.S. or the U.K. can be a dream come true—charming streets, fresh baguettes, long lunches, and a lifestyle many fantasize about. But let’s be honest: once the honeymoon phase ends, culture shock is real.

Whether you're adjusting to a slower pace of life, different social norms, or the omnipresence of cheese, here are some tips to help ease that transition and feel more at home.

1. Accept That It’s Normal

Culture shock isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a natural part of adapting. You might cycle through phases: excitement, frustration, adjustment, and eventually, integration. Give yourself permission to feel confused or irritated without guilt. You’re learning.

2. Don’t Just Translate—Interpret

Language is only part of communication. Even fluent speakers can feel lost in non-verbal cues and social etiquette. For example:

• The formal "vous" form can feel cold at first—don’t take it personally. As French people grow closer, they reach a point in their relationship where someone suggests using “tu” instead. If you aren’t sure, stick to “vous” until the other person makes the first move. It’s also okay to refuse the switch to “tu” if you’d like to keep the relationship more formal or distant.
  

• Saying “bonjour” before any interaction is non-negotiable (even in shops). Many people also say “bonjour” and “au revoir” when entering/leaving waiting rooms and locker rooms. If you come from a big city, this may feel unnatural at first. With time, you may find that it makes your new community feel a little friendlier.
  

• Silence in conversation isn’t awkward here—it's respectful. French people aren’t in a rush to fill space in conversation. They prefer quality over quantity when it comes to conversations. Slow down and listen like the locals, and you may find your conversations become more meaningful.

Learn the “why” behind behaviors, not just the words. Grab a French tutor when you get here, and ask them questions about etiquette differences you experience during your daily interactions. Or take an immersive French language class, which will typically also cover some basic culture and etiquette. (This is also a great way to meet new friends in your city.)

3. Learn to Appreciate the Different Pace of Life

Everything operates on a different time schedule here than what you’re used to back home - bureaucracy, business hours, even full-time work hours.

• Oh, the infamous French bureaucracy. Learn to love it (or at least tolerate it), because it won’t be changing anytime soon. Prepare your paperwork in advance, stay organized with physical and digital copies, and above all, stay polite. The process won’t go any faster if you release your frustration on the workers, but it can certainly go slower.
  
  One amazing bureaucratic bonus of moving here - the government automatically prepares your taxes for you. All you have to do is check online that all your information is up to date and pay if necessary. Otherwise if your information is correct and you don’t have any taxes to pay, you don’t need to do anything further.
  

• Businesses (even banks and the post office) operate on different hours here. They may open at 10 or 11 am, and close at 4 or 5 pm. They may take a multi-hour lunch break in the middle of the day. They may only be open Thursday - Sunday. You may show up to your favorite pizza place multiple times a week only for there to be a sign on every single day you show up saying “fermature exceptionnelle” which roughly translates to “closed for the day.” (In case you couldn’t tell this happens to me on a regular basis.)
  
  The French lifestyle is slower, and that can be a surprisingly wonderful thing in a fast-paced world. I’ve learned to just roll with it and laugh it off. Favorite pizza place closed again today? That gives me an opportunity to try a new restaurant I wouldn’t have otherwise. Forgot my favorite bakery opens at 10, closes at 4, and is closed Sunday through Wednesday? Well, it’s been a while since I’ve made a homemade loaf - that could be a fun thing to do instead. (Or, you know, I could just go to one of the 3 other bakeries within a 4 minute walk of my apartment.)

  Just make sure to keep staples stocked in your freezer and pantry for situations like these, and you’ll be fine.
  

• Work hours are different here and it’s absolutely amazing if you’re an employee, or perhaps a big adjustment if you’re a business owner. Employees not only have a lot more protections here (employment contracts can’t easily be broken), they also enjoy less working hours. A full-time salaried employee works 35 hours a week in France and receives 5 weeks paid vacation, plus 11 public holidays off throughout the year. If you work beyond 35 hours a week, you will typically take additional vacation days to compensate for it, depending on the type of work contract.

  -If you’re a business owner, you may be in for a rude awakening. Make sure to only hire quality employees since you won’t be easily able to fire them if they underperform. On the other hand, recent studies have shown that less working hours increases employee productivity, so try to embrace it.
  -If you’re an employee - no tips, just enjoy all your free time!

Learn to appreciate a different, slower way of life where not everything is expected to be available 24/7. I’ve found myself becoming more adaptable and patient with time, and I genuinely respect people taking time for themselves instead of being at our constant service. The relaxed French culture can help you relax too.

4. Join Local Life—Not Just the Expat Bubble

It’s comforting to meet fellow Anglophones (and you should!), but try not to only stay in that safe zone. Join:

• Language exchanges or cafés linguistiques to meet locals who are interested in learning English

• Local clubs (sports, music, arts) to meet people who share your interests

• Volunteer opportunities to meet people who are as passionate about community involvement as you are

Getting involved locally helps you practice the language, understand the culture, and build real friendships. Just don’t expect to make friends at the office (unless you work with other anglophones). People tend to stay professional at work here and don’t necessary feel the need to befriend their coworkers.

5. Rethink “Customer Service”

If you're used to American-style service, French customer interactions may feel… blunt.

• Waiters don’t hover (you’re expected to take your time). You are also under no obligation whatsoever to leave a tip. It took me a while to not feel guilty when I don’t leave one.

• “Je peux rien pour vous” (roughly translates to “There’s nothing I can do for you”) and “C’est pas possible” (“It’s not possible”) are phrases you might hear often in France. In English, these phrases might be masking hidden opportunities. In French, “There’s nothing I can do for you” typically means exactly that. Or in any case, there’s nothing they’re willing to do for you, and no amount of pleading will change that.

• “Non” isn’t personal—it’s just honest.

Once you embrace the bluntness, it becomes empowering, and quite honestly a timesaver. When all the information is upfront and you know that Plan A isn’t possible, you can quickly move to Plan B without wasting any more time.

6. Enjoy the Small Wins

The first time you:

• Hold your own at a dinner party,

• Navigate a prefecture visit without tears,

• Or understand a joke in French…

Celebrate it. These small victories build your confidence and momentum.

7. Stay Curious, Not Judgmental

It’s easy to say, “In the U.S./U.K., we do it better.” But instead, try asking:

“Why do they do it this way?”

This mindset shift opens doors, earns respect, and helps you grow and adapt. There are positives and negatives to every culture. You may find that leaving behind the negatives from where you came from allows you to fully appreciate where you are now.

8. Remember Why You Came

In moments of frustration, return to your why. Whether it’s a slower lifestyle, better work-life balance, raising bilingual kids, or that cobblestone village dream—hold onto your purpose. You will probably have moments where you feel homesick. That’s normal, we’ve all been there. The 6-month mark of being in a foreign culture is tough on everybody. But push through, and you’ll come out the other side an international bad*ss who’s living the dream.

Final Thought

Moving to France is a bold, exciting step. With time, empathy (for others and yourself), and a good sense of humor, what feels foreign today will become familiar tomorrow.

And if all else fails… take a walk, grab a pastry, look around you, and enjoy the view. After all, you're in France.

Need help navigating the move or buying property in France?
As a U.S. citizen turned French real estate buyer’s agent, I specialize in helping expats settle into French life with confidence. Contact me to learn more.