Some French customs that I find wonderful but strange are:
FAIRE LA BISE!!! The double-kiss on the two cheeks. I overlook this far more than everything, simply because in the 12 months that I spent in France I kissed much more lovely females this way than I ever did before or since. You kiss everybody you meet, and if you kiss somebody as if leaving, but then still cling out at the party, it is quite impolite. These days done mainly woman-to-girl or female-to-male, but older generations also practice it man-to-gentleman, with no sexual meaning at all.
FAIRE LA BISE!!! The double-kiss on the two cheeks. I overlook this far more than everything, simply because in the 12 months that I spent in France I kissed much more lovely females this way than I ever did before or since. You kiss everybody you meet, and if you kiss somebody as if leaving, but then still cling out at the party, it is quite impolite. These days done mainly woman-to-girl or female-to-male, but older generations also practice it man-to-gentleman, with no sexual meaning at all.


