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WE EXPLORE HOW TO ARGUE, COMPLAIN AND GET ANGRY LIKE A FRENCH PERSON 1. LES OPINIONS In social situations, although subjects such as money are taboo, lots of other tricky topics are OK:

politics and religion are absolutely up for grabs. You are allowed to put your views on the table and defend them like a Dobermann guarding a bank. Just do it with wit and good humour. _Si

j’en crois!_ READ MORE: I READ THE 5,000-PAGE COMPENDIUM THAT TRIES TO EXPLAIN FRANCE 2. LES PLAINTES French people love to complain. Râler is the next most popular sport after football and

fishing, and it is fine to admire this quality in people. The French like to remind each other that even their own politicians say they are ungovernable. So whatever proposal is made, you

know what to say... _Non, non et non!_ READ MORE: FRANCE, A NATION OF COMPLAINERS? YES, BUT IT’S A GOOD THING 3. LE CARACTÈRE Having _du caractère_ is a good thing. It means you are ready to

fight your corner, stand up for your beliefs and express your opinions. So if someone ever remarks that you have it, even if you suspect they are trying to put you down, just beam with

pride. _Bien sûr!_ 4. LA LUTTE Any time you get involved in a protracted argument with someone, particularly if it is the local mairie, it becomes _une lutte_ – a struggle. The word has

connotations of freedom and fairness and revolution – even if the contentious subject is the installation of new swings in the playground. _On lâche rien!_ 5. LA COLÈRE If your _lutte _does

not go the way you wanted, then you can declare yourself _en colère_ and possibly even organise a _pétition, manif_ (protest) or _grève_ (strike). At this event, you will ram your message

home by carrying a large sign adorned with the words _en colère_, or even _tous en colère_. _C’est légitime!_ RELATED ARTICLES FIVE THINGS THEY DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT FRENCH ATTITUDES TO

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