First Name or Monsieur?

On a language holiday in France, should you call your French host family by their first name or should you call them Monsieur or Madame?

Whilst it is common in the UK to use first names for almost everyone, it is not in France. In fact, it can be seen as rude to address someone using their first name if they haven't invited you to do so. Notre conseil: always use Monsieur or Madame when you are not sure.

More on forms of address