Friendship in French


Friendship in France is experienced differently than in the United States. In the United States, people call an acquaintance, a friend very quickly. Whereas in France, a friend is a person we have known for a long time. It is also a person who has proven to be reliable and trustworthy.

If a French person meets someone then sees them again from time to time, they will call them an “acquaintance”. If a French professional gets along with her co-worker, she will continue calling them her colleague. They can become “friends” but it will have to stand the test of time. Additionally, French friends tell each other everything and can count on one another when they have an emergency.

In America, friends sometimes seem to have an unspoken physical limit. Consequently, we might hesitate to contact a friend when we encounter a big problem. Evidently, it takes longer in France to make friends but they are long-lasting friendships. In the United States, we can make friends faster, but people lose contact quickly. However, we also have something in common. Friends whether in France or in the United States do enjoy food and appreciate entertaining at home. Tasty dinners and brunches are done in both countries.