French Culture In American Culture

Bordering Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Andorra offer France a strong economic advantage. It is also the most popular tourist destination, giving it an upper hand in the global market. Well known for their upscale fashion, exquisite cuisine, unique culture and romantic language. France's population distribution is vast with more than eighty percent of their population being urban. "Much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second" (France Population distribution, (n.d.)). Paris is the headquarters for top fashion brands such as Lois Vuitton, Christion

The common language is French and it is very common for the French to shake hands often although brisk and light. Stand rather close to one another is not uncommon as it is in American culture. They have a stronger sense of personal space, therefore after getting to know one another touching is more acceptable and a sign of affection. Known more for their body language, specifically shrugs and pouts the French tend to be careful and watching for nonverbal cues. "French people pay full attention only if the speaker is charismatic, imaginative, clearly logical and represents authority" ("National Cultural Profiles...", 2007). How they are perceived and their social status is important to the French's individualism. Family plays an important role in instilling these cultural variables. The French tend to visit their parents and grandparents as often as possible even into adulthood. "Ideologies of kinship, in which certain family forms are privileged over others, represent a critique of the kinship patterns of the working classes and immigrants" (France,