Quote:
Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel
i don't think this would happen in france. formality between strangers is much more obvious a part of the culture here, although less so between young people of course and in some social circles. it's like "tu" and "vous" ; you don't say "tu" to someone you don't know, unless it's a child. there's even an expression, "on n'a pas gardé les cochons ensemble" (we didn't watch the pigs together) if someone is too familiar.
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I am definitely going to borrow that phrase! I wish I could pronounce the French version, but I like the English translation just as much.
I wish we would go back to being a little more formal in our dealings with people. It seems that as we've gotten more informal, we've also lost politeness and manners, at least here in the States. People think nothing of butting in line or having a phone conversation at top decibels while sitting in a restaurant surrounded by people.
Common courtesy is almost seen as an archaic concept.
