Five things they don鈥檛 tell you about getting tipsy in France
Do not be drawn into French drinking songs - being noticeably drunk in public is against the law
People in France tend not to fill their glasses to the brim
Robert Kneschke / Shutterstock
1. 尝鈥檌惫谤别蝉蝉别
It is not illegal to get a bit pompette (tipsy) in France, but letting it show as you walk home could land you in deep trouble 鈥� particularly if you seriously cannot walk straight.
This is because l鈥檌vresse manifeste dans un lieu public is against the law.
So after a well-watered 蝉辞颈谤茅别, take a taxi.
C鈥檈st mieux!
Read more: Six phrases to describe being drunk in French
2. Le petit verre
People in France do not habitually fill their glasses to the brim and knock them back in one.
They prefer to drink very small amounts over a long period of time, as if they had not the slightest intention of getting 茅尘茅肠丑茅 (tipsy), let alone 颈尘产颈产茅 (soaked), 产别耻谤谤茅 (buttered) or cuit (cooked).
Restons raisonnables!
3. Le champagne
Chic French women know the calorific value of everything they put in their mouths, including toothpaste, so are not going to waste calories on alcohol.
A small flute of iced champagne, however, and perhaps just another small one after that... well, this is an entirely different matter.
It is champagne, after all.
Un de plus ici!
Read more: Five things they don鈥檛 tell you鈥� about wine in France
4. Le toast
Giving a toast can be as simple as saying tchin, tchin or as complex as portons un toast 脿 la sant茅 du nouveau-n茅! (Let鈥檚 toast the newborn鈥檚 health!).
But whichever it is, do not cross arms with anyone as you are clinking glasses, and be sure to look everyone in the eye.
A la tienne!
Read more: 鈥楾chin tchin鈥�, 鈥榮ant茅鈥�, eye contact: The rituals of French ap茅ros
5. Les chansons 脿 boire
France has a rich repertoire of drinking songs, beloved by students and wedding parties.
If you happen to get involved, or a group of revellers offer to teach you some, beware!
Serious drinking is on the cards and you are likely to end up 迟辞谤肠丑茅 (torched), 辫茅迟茅 (smashed) or paf (speechless).
Zut alors!
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