As our American clan descends upon Chamonix, we want to be polite and considerate guests for our French counterparts.

Being fluent in French is not required, but assuming everyone understands you and addressing people in town in English is a big no-no.

So...here are some tips to be a gracious tourist:

1. Greet everyone with "bonjour." Saying "bonjour" (hello) when you walk into a store or restaurant will make all the difference in how your experience there will be. Even saying "excusez-moi" (excuse me) is not enough if you haven't started with "bonjour."

2. Say "au revoir" or "bonne journée" when departing. Saying goodbye or good day is common courtesy in English and French!

3. Keep your voice down in public. Turns out Americans are MUCH louder than we realize. Use your inside voices.

4. Use "s'il vous plaît" (please) and "merci" (thank you). In French s'il vous plait!

5. Be prepared for meals to be long and leisurely. We tend to be in a rush all the time, or waiting for the "next" thing. Enjoy your meals and time with your company!