<!–^~^25|left|^~^–>French society likes formality in many aspects of everyday life as obligatory handshaking or cheek kissing , the use of the vous (rather then the familiar tu) and of titles when refering to a superior or a stranger and the concern about always dressing well.

Sex lives in France can be qualified as very liberal by American standards. Everyday relations between the sexes are very flirtatious and not at all confrontational, neither in public nor in the professional life. The “use” of a lover is rather frequent both for men and women.

Nudity is not seen as a sin and women generally go topless on the beaches of the Riviera. Many French TV shows do not hesitate to include partially or totally undressed men or women even during prime time.

As a result of Napoleon’s Civil Code, most of everyday life’s transactions follow written texts or laws. French people, however, take great pleasure and pride in finding new clever ways to bypass these restrictions or instructions.

Also See:

Introduction

Modern Politics

Modern Life

France in Figures

Most of the political and business power is held by the upper bourgeoisie. Those in poltical positions appoint many of their own members to key positions in powerful government-owned companies. Fourteen years of recent rule by socialist president Francois Mitterrand did not seem to have changed this proctice very much.

France faces today a serious economic slow-down characterized by a high unemployment rate, mainly fueled by extremely generous and expensive social benefits. Mitterrand’s successor, Jacques Chirac (from the RPR party), elected in May 1995, has had the unpleasant task of attemting to reduce some of these craddle-to-grave benefits which threaten to rapidly ruin the country. One of his attempts lead to a serious general strike which paralysed Paris for nearly three weeks!

The Communist party, once a relatively powerful organization, almost disapeared concurently with the fall of the cold war. Simultenaously, the far Right National Front‘s popularity has been fueled by high unemployment and rising nationalism, mostly against “les arabes”, North Africans mainly from Algeria.

Most of these political and economic problems are not obvious to tourists. Paris looks more beautiful than ever, the food is always superb and the French are getting more and more welcoming!

Also See:

Introduction

Social Customs

Modern Life

France in Figures

Urban life in a city such as Paris has become almost the same as in any other megapolis in the world.

Regional and rural life, on the other hand, has remained very unique and varies tremendously from one region to another. The refreshing change, together with 5 weeks of annual paid vacations, has led many citadins to maintain a place in the country, preferably close to their family roots, to go on vacation or to retire.

Fact:
France is the country in the world where there are the most second homes.

Thanks to government sponsored programs, France has managed to remain one of the most high-tech countries in the world. Technological breakthroughs such as the Concorde, the TGV, the Minitel or the Chunnel, have linked the country between regions and with its neighbors.

Culture and the arts are very important in everyday life in France. The worldwide appeal of the US model and the related Americanization is well present in France. However, in order to protect France’s cultural identity, the government recently stepped in and enacted some laws aiming at restricting the broadcast of english speaking movies or songs and the use of English vocabulary in general.

Also See:

Introduction

Social Customs

Modern Politics

France in Figures

Population :
58.3 million (1 January 1996)
Population density :
105 persons per sq km
Life expectancy:
Men: 73.8, Women: 81.9
Birth rate (1995) :
12 per 1000
Death rate (1995) :
9 per 1000
Marriages (1995) :
255 000
Divorces (1995) :
108 000
Education (1995) : 
Pre-school – high school: 12.6 million pupils 
Higher education: 2.075 million students
Active population :
26 million working, of which 19 million in salaried positions (December 1995)
Socio-professional groups:
Farmers: 2.7% of the active pop. (a.p.)
Artisans, storekeepers,
and self-employed: 6.5% of a.p.
Middle managers
and professionals: 10.7% of a.p.
Intermediate occupations: 17.6% of a.p.
White-collar workers: 23.5% of a.p.
Manual workers: 30% of the active population.
The French abroad
1.7 million French people live outside France (1995)
52% in Europe
25.2% in North America
10.8% in Africa
5% in the Middle East
4.5% in Oceania
2.5% in Asia

Territory

]]> http://www.france.com/blog/france-in-figures/feed/ 0