> France

People shake hands in social occasions. Usually women reach out to men, the older to the younger, and superiors to inferiors. Men and women who know each other well or women who know each other well cheek-kiss each other instead of shaking hands.

The French consider the number 13 a taboo. They don’t like Friday. They avoid using patterns depicting peacock, crane, bat, turtle and spade. Gifts should not be knife, sword, cutlery and any items that carry advertising. Men do not give perfume as gift to women if they don’t know each other well.

The French love rooster, thinking that rooster both serves ornamental purposes and has economic value. Rooster is appreciated for its bravery and tenacity and its crow to announce the advent of dawn. It is regarded a symbol of "brightness".

* The above information is for reference only. For more, contact the embassy.

* For more information on visa, head to the Star Alliance website.