Frank Gröninger is from Mannheim (a city that is only 1h30 east of the Moselle).
He has lived in France for almost 30 years and for all these years, he has had plenty of time to discover the many cultural differences that exist between the two countries.
He has just written a book on the subject, sold on both sides of the border: “Douce Frankreich”.
Like all Germans, he took time to understand the different meanings of the word “rendez-vous” in France.
Because in Germany, when the word “rendezvous” is used, there is no possible doubt.
Extract :
Having an appointment with a German or with a Frenchman is not the same thing.
Depending on the gender of the appointment German uses another word.
If we want an appointment with the doctor or the hairdresser, we ask for einen Termin.
If we go out with friends to go to a movie or a restaurant, we say that we have eine Verabredung.
And to say that it is a date (perhaps in love), we use the English word „Date“.
Of course we can still say “das Rendez-vous”, but only to talk about an ultra romantic evening, with maybe even a ring at the end.
At first, I was therefore quite surprised by the number of French people who had an appointment, so an affair with their doctor and their hairdresser!
Another thing that always surprises me: no matter how much you have fixed an appointment, you can be sure to receive a text message the same day of the appointment: „Is it still ok for this evening?“. At first, I thought it was a hidden way to say to myself: “Do you mind if we cancel, because to tell the truth tonight does not suit me too much”.