The Unspoken Coffee Etiquette Rule Tourists Often Overlook In France

Trip planning always requires at least some prior knowledge about where you are going, but for many places around the world, this knowledge involves more than just what you want to see and do while you are there. One of the best ways to avoid being what Rick Steves calls the "ugly tourist" is to do some prior research about social norms too. For France, there are a few social etiquette norms that might sound strange, including some that have to do with food and drink.

Coffee on the go is a common sight in the United States, but not in France. "Unless you're in a Starbucks, it's not cool to ask for a coffee to go. Remember, doing it the French way means taking your time," wrote Serena Tara and Emilie Thyebaut in their Thrillist article on French etiquette. "Take a seat on the terrace and do some people-watching while you enjoy your cup of Joe." Thankfully, taking in the urban sights during your trip to France is not a difficult ask. The country's idyllic and colorful cafés are integral to its famously chic streets.

France's lovely café culture is about much more than the café's appearance. Eating and drinking are taken quite seriously in France. Therefore, the French prefer to use their time at cafés mostly for leisure. Whereas in the United States, if Americans aren't taking their coffees to go, you'll see lots of people working on their laptops while at cafés. Other than taking the time to relax with their coffee, many French people tend to take longer lunch breaks than Americans and even do things like shopping without a heightened sense of urgency.

Although walking around the adorable streets of Paris while drinking your coffee might only get you some strange looks from locals, following local customs overall can help ease locals' concerns about tourists. Overtourism has become an upsetting travel nuisance in iconic destinations all over the world. If you are planning on visiting a place that receives tourists by the millions, be considerate of their ways of life. This will also help you blend in and avoid becoming a target for tourist scams, especially around iconic French attractions like the Eiffel Tower.