Survey Results - French Salutations (Expats vs Natives)

We asked our page followers, group members and newsletter subscribers, to participate in a quick survey. We asked what times certain expressions/salutations are used. While we haven’t found an exact answer the results illustrate the most commonly used times for expats and natives within the community.

In summary:

In summary:
•Expats seem somewhat ‘trigger happy’ compared to the natives, often using an expression earlier in the day. Expats use every term, except bonne nuit, at least an hour before native counterparts, they also seem to hold onto a term longer too.

•Bonjour: Both groups are in complete agreement that 09:00 to 11:00 is the perfect time to use Bonjour and both groups use it well into the afternoon. A high percentage of expats (59%) are stilling using it at 17:00 compared to 38% of natives. Come 18:00, 17% of expats are still using Bonjour vs 0% of native participants.

• Bon après-midi: Both groups prefer its utilization at 14:00 – 15:00, although 71% of locals use it more frequently 1 hour before (13:00) compared to foreigners who hold onto the expression until 16:00.

• Bonne fin d’après-midi: Locals are adamant that this is used between 16:00 – 17:00, expats maintain its use up until 18:00.

• Bonne soirée: Locals start to use this in high numbers (79%) from 18:00 until 20:00 where 71% are still using it. Expats use the term from 19:00 (80%) to 20:00 (72%)

• Bonne fin de soirée: Expats don’t have a clear time for this term, 62% do use it at 22:00, the same time when 91% of locals use it.

•Bonsoir – 1/4 expats use bonsoir from 17:00, but serious use occurs from 18:00 to 22:00. Natives are in full agreement (100%) that the salutation should be used from 18:00 to 20:00.

•Bonne nuit. Both sets of groups agree that this is used from 22:00 onwards. All locals agree this term is appropriate from 23:00 vs 90% expats.

Thank you to everyone who participated.