EPISODE · Feb 15, 2026 · 15 MIN
French Savoir-Vivre: The Etiquette That Survived the Guillotine
from The Ritual of Reading Podcast · host Alexandra Poppy
Why do the French ignore you when you sneeze? In this episode, we cross the Channel to explore the "Savoir-Vivre"—the sophisticated, sometimes baffling world of French manners.From the official Republican protocol of Jacques Gandouin to the modern "self-care" approach of Le Petit Larousse, we’re deconstructing how a country that decapitated its monarchy managed to save its elegance.In this episode:The Sneeze Paradox: Why acknowledging a bodily function is "indelicat."Tu vs. Vous: Navigating the linguistic minefield of respect.The Flower Faux Pas: Why you should never bring a bouquet to a dinner party.Republican Elegance: How the Revolution democratized courtesy for every citizen.Part III of the "Art of Living Among Others" series. Hosted by Alexandra Poppy at theritualofreading.com
What this episode covers
Why do the French ignore you when you sneeze? In this episode, we cross the Channel to explore the "Savoir-Vivre"—the sophisticated, sometimes baffling world of French manners.From the official Republican protocol of Jacques Gandouin to the modern "self-care" approach of Le Petit Larousse, we’re deconstructing how a country that decapitated its monarchy managed to save its elegance.In this episode:The Sneeze Paradox: Why acknowledging a bodily function is "indelicat."Tu vs. Vous: Navigating the linguistic minefield of respect.The Flower Faux Pas: Why you should never bring a bouquet to a dinner party.Republican Elegance: How the Revolution democratized courtesy for every citizen.Part III of the "Art of Living Among Others" series. Hosted by Alexandra Poppy at theritualofreading.com
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French Savoir-Vivre: The Etiquette That Survived the Guillotine
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