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French and Lebanese cultural Relationships

                                                    Some Facts about history and location:

                                                     ↓

            
                          France
   
                         Lebanon
    It became a republic in 1792
     It became a republic in 1943
    France” refers to several people    
           in known as “Gaul
    Lebanon derives from the   
   Phoenician word “white horse” 
It is the largest Western European
                      nation
   It is a very small Arab country
   France borders Belgium, Italy   
 Germany, Andorra, Monaco, and
                    Spain
        Lebanon is bounded:
        North and East: Syria
        West: Mediterranean
            South: Palestine
      France colonized Lebanon   
               (1919-1943)
Lebanon was colonized by France























                                         
                                                                    Symbolism :

              ↙      ↘                                    

Marianne                            Cedars                                                                                                                       



                                                          
                                                           
It is a symbol that stands for                                                        It represents thousand years of history
"liberty, equality,fraternity".                                                  Its location between the red stripes      Also, it is a sign of republic                                                         of the flag is a reminder of Lebanon's 
       as a motherhood.                                                                    constant troubles and blood split 
                                                                                                        throughout the Lebanese history

                                                             Communication:
                                                                         ⬇
                                                                           
Usually Lebanese people give a handshake and kiss each other on the cheeks in a way that they alternate from one side to another. This is common between the Lebanese and the french people since it is a french tradition transmitted during the colonization period.

                                  


French people use the formal form of you (vous in French) to show respect, yet the Lebanese people communicate formally with each other only at work meetings. 

French people don't talk about religion when they communicate. Likewise, the Lebanese people do the same thing since they believe that it is a            
sensitive topic that caused the Lebanese civil war.

                             
                                      
                                                  
The Lebanese people like to give good impression by being generous, so they invite each other to their homes and they insist till declining the invitation becomes inappropriate. This helps people to make quick relationships. Upon first meeting, the french people are friendly, but relationships tend to develop very slowly.                     


Politics in Lebanon is on everyone's mind. Lebanese most known 
discussions are of political topics. It is rarely to meet a Lebanese
 who doesn't know about local and regional politics.





  Both Lebanese and French people have the tendency to give             close eye contact and communicate using specific gestures.



                 Food :
                                                                          ⬇

In France, the meals are small. Wine and cheese are very important components. Breakfast is a light meal of bread, cereal and yogurt or coffee. Lunch and dinner involves a main dish (Le plat) followed by cheese, dessert or salad. In ceremonial occasions, children prefer to go with friends rather than celebrating with their families. 

                                                  This is a typical French breakfast
Whereas in Lebanon, the Lebanese enjoy hummus( a chick bean dip), Fool (a fave pea dip). Rice and bread is always presented. Red meat and chicken usually are eaten as a part of the dish. Eating on Lebanon is tied to family. Children prefer to eat with family rather than eating alone or with friends.
                                      










Tabbouleh is a vegetarian dish traditionally                         
made of tomatoes, finely chopped parsley,                             hummus (a chick bean dip)
mint, onion, and seasoned with olive oil,                                      
lemon juice, and salt.

                                                                 
                                  Clothes :
                                       ⬇
                                                                          



France is well-known for the modern fashion where we can find the clothing designs of modern French designers in the French clothing centers. French clothes are very elegant and conservative. They are famous for the sweaters, jackets and raincoats which can be easily removed as temperature changes. The French clothes influenced the Lebanese people especially women who love to be fashionable and up-to-date. Also, conservative French clothes are highly demanded in the Lebanese society.






                             The 3 most famous touristic sites in Lebanon and France:
                                                                             ⬇



Baal-beck                 Place DE la                                      Concorde




The great temple of Baal-beck has stood since                           It is one of the most famous notorious
the beginning of our era when it was one of the                                 sites of the French revolution
great wonders of the world.                                                       




Byblos                                         The Eiffel                                                               Tower




It is one of the world's oldest inhabited cities.                                    It represents the bird's eye view 
It is characterized by its diverse ages of its                                         of Paris( a very high tower)
ruins.




Jeita Grotto                 Mussee du  
                                      Louvre




It is the center of beauty where yo can find                                    It contains ancient Roman statues 
wonderful karstic limestone caves situated                                            and the famous painting           
 in Naher al-Kalb valley.                                                                                  "Mona Lisa" 


                                                                      Religion:
                                                                             ⬇

France is dominated by the influence of the Catholic church. Most of the population is Roman Catholic. Also, there are many Islam, Jews, Protestants and atheists. However, it is a secular country where secularism accepts religion, but prevents any single religion  from gaining political control. 





 Whereas in Lebanon, most people are religious and monotheistic.  No one religion is dominant. It is mainly made up of Muslims and  Christians. There are also Druzes and Armenian. The right of  Religion is preserved by the law.



                                     Language:
                                            ⬇


The French language influenced the Lebanese culture and used
 as a  major second language in the Lebanese education programs.






                                         Arts:
                                           ⬇
In the preserved villages of Lebanon, there is a form of poetic 
contest that is performed alive called "zajal". The Lebanese 
artists added oriental touch to the French technique in painting. 
Also, pottery-making is very popular in Lebanon. Regarding the
performance acts, the Lebanese people adore listening to Fayrouz 
songs at morning and dance "Dabkee".                                               







Fayrouz singing   


                                                                                                                       The Lebanese Dabkee  



Whereas, paintings, sculptures and architecture are very popular
 in France. Theater, dance and opera is also known in France. 
The French people hold many  movie festivals during the year.
                                                                          Cannes Festival    ⬌
                                                                                  

                                                                                                             






     Opera performance in a French                             Festival






           5 ways to increase the communication between Lebanese and French People:

                                                                               ⬇
1- When meeting someone French for the first time, the Lebanese people should talk about things that France is known for abroad; they could show an interest in the French cuisine.
2- France has a number of social advances such as security system. This is a good topic of conversation with French people.
3- It is better not to talk about politics and religion with both French and Lebanese people.
4- Both French and Lebanese people should not hesitate to ask each other about historical sites and visit them together.
5-Usually a good way to break the ice is to ask the French person about his family and way of living, so he will likely do the same and this will facilitate the conversation.








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