Five things they don’t tell you about getting tipsy in france

DO NOT BE DRAWN INTO FRENCH DRINKING SONGS - BEING NOTICEABLY DRUNK IN PUBLIC IS AGAINST THE LAW 1._ L’IVRESSE_ 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 – particularly if you seriously cannot walk straight. This is because _l’ivresse manifeste dans un lieu public_ is against the law. So

after a well-watered _soirée_, take a taxi. _C’est 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 _éméché_ (tipsy), let alone

_imbibé_ (soaked), _beurré_ (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’T TELL YOU… 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 à la santé du nouveau-né!_ (Let’s toast the newborn’s 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: ‘TCHIN TCHIN’, ‘SANTÉ’, EYE CONTACT: THE RITUALS OF FRENCH APÉROS 5. _LES CHANSONS À 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 _torché_ (torched), _pété_ (smashed) or _paf_ (speechless). _Zut alors!_ RELATED ARTICLES PETANQUE REFS THREATEN TO BOYCOTT FRENCH CONTEST OVER DRUNK

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