涂新容　徐爱民

One thing the French do well—probably because its instinctive and they dont need to think about it—is live. The essence of French savoir-vivre is simplicity. Everyday things count: eating, drinking, talking, dressing, shopping. Get in the mood: Daily rituals are meant to be enjoyed. Food is the best example. The French dont like rushing their meals. They plan them in advance, painstakingly prepare them, look forward to them over an aperitif, admire the loving presentation of each dish, savor each mouthful. The pace is unhurried and the wine flows steadily.

Make the most of the simple pleasure to be had from basking in the sunshine outside a cafe. Admire the casual elegance of the passerby or the old men in their time-honored berets. Even the most mundane things can become objects of beauty in French eyes. The daily market is a festival of colors and textures, with fruit and vegetable stalls artistically and vegetable stalls artistically and imaginatively composed. Shop windows are works of art.

Most French towns and villages are quietly attractive and historic. The ornate mairie (town hall) has been there since the Revolution, and the church or cathedral since the Middle Ages. The main streets tend to be lined with sturdy trees planted before living memory. The 20th century is kept firmly at bay. Modern buildings—such as supermarkets—are banished to the outskirts or obliged to fit in with the architecture of the town center.

Whatever you may have been led to believe, France is a welcoming country. Dont be misled by the superficial coldness of the French: They are a formal people who dont go out of their way to speak to strangers (except in anger). Above all, dont suppose that all Frenchmen are like Parians—its not true. Most of the French are more approachable and friendly. One of the reasons is that a great many have foreign origins themselves. France has always attracted immigrants from less affluent countries: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland and North Africa. More than a million Frenchmen were brought up in Algeria and came home only in the early 1960s after Algerian independence.

The French study English for a minimum of four years at school, but few are fluent in their conversation. English is widely understood in major tourist areas, and in most tourist hotels there should be at least one person who can converse with you. Be courteous, patient, and speak slowly: France, after all, has visitors from many countries and is not heavily dependent for income on English-speaking visitors as, for example, is Spain.

Even if your own French is rusty, try to master a few words. The French are more cooperative when they think you are at least making an effort to speak their language.

法国人特别擅长于一件事——可能是出于天性吧，他们无需刻意思考——就是如何生活。法国人的处世之道的实质就是淳朴。每天要考虑的事情是：吃、喝、聊天、穿着、购物。感受情调：每天的“例行事务”就是着尽情享受。美食就是一个最好的例子，法国人不喜欢匆匆忙忙地吃饭。他们总是提前计划，并精心准备，享用美味之前还要喝餐前的开胃酒，再细细考究每道佳肴的韵味，津津有味地品尝。餐桌上是悠闲的，伴随着美酒缓缓入喉。

在小酒店外晒着太阳用餐，他们能从简单中品出其中最大的乐趣。欣赏着过路者非刻意妆扮的优雅或是戴着传统的贝雷帽的老人都是别有一番风味的。即使是最平凡的事物，在法国人的眼中也是美丽的。日常的集市是色彩与神韵的盛会，摊上水果、蔬菜的摆放非常有艺术性与想像力。商场的橱窗设计简直就是艺术品。

法国大部分的城镇与乡村历史悠久，极具吸引力。在那儿可以看到大革命时期修建起来的装饰华丽的议政大厅，中世纪时修建的教堂。主要街道两旁成排粗壮大树已有上百年的历史。20世纪的风貌被完好地保留下来。如超级市场这样的现代建筑会被迁到郊区或是要求与市中心的建筑保持一致的风格。

无论怎样你都会相信法国是一个热情好客的国家。不要被法国人表面的冷漠所误导，他们很拘谨，不会主动与陌生人交谈（除了生气之外）。最重要的是，别以为所有的法国人都像巴黎人，那是不正确的，大部分法国人是随和且友好的。……