--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For example, in Paris, if one desires to…" description: "\"For example, in Paris, if one desires to buy something, you enter the store and say \"Good morning, sir\" or \"madam,\" depending on what is appropriate, y..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/craig-ferguson-664_appropriate_for-example-in-paris-if-one-desires-to-b_1704638.png" --- # For example, in Paris, if one desires to buy something… ![“For example, in Paris, if one desires to buy something, you enter the store and say "Good morning, sir" or "madam," depending on what is appropriate, you wait until you are greeted, you make polite chitchat about the weather or some such, and when the salesperson asks what they can do for you…” quote by Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/craig-ferguson-664_appropriate_for-example-in-paris-if-one-desires-to-b_1704638.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/craig-ferguson-664_appropriate_for-example-in-paris-if-one-desires-to-b_1704638.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/craig-ferguson-664_appropriate_for-example-in-paris-if-one-desires-to-b_1704638.png) > “For example, in Paris, if one desires to buy something, you enter the store and say "Good morning, sir" or "madam," depending on what is appropriate, you wait until you are greeted, you make polite chitchat about the weather or some such, and when the salesperson asks what they can do for you, then and only then do you bring up the vulgar business of the transaction you require.” [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Polite greetings and small talk are social rituals that precede business transactions in many cultures. **In simple terms:** Politeness precedes business talk. Key Takeaway Use courtesy before requests. Themes culture communication etiquette Mood friendly formal Type cultural practical When to use this quote - shopping - networking - client meetings - diplomatic negotiations Key Concepts social norms interpersonal dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does politeness affect trust? - When is brevity more appropriate? A Different Perspective Some cultures skip formalities, risking perceived rudeness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/france/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Paris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paris/) [Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite/) [Salesperson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salesperson/) [Vulgar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulgar/) [Weather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weather/) ## Related quotes > [Killing people was far easier than making polite chitchat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-estep/killing-people-was-far-easier-than-making-polite-chitchat/) [Jennifer Estep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-estep/) > [“Between my advice and baking soda, we're gonna save the world - or at least make it more polite ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miss-lora/between-my-advice-and-baking-soda-we-re-gonna-save-the-world-or-at/) Miss Lora > [“Conquerors didn't make polite requests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/conquerors-didn-t-make-polite-requests/) [Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/) > [I think the first prerequisite to civilization is an ability to make polite conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/i-think-the-first-prerequisite-to-civilization-is-an-ability-to-make/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [I've never been afraid to make a polite ask to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-chertavian/i-ve-never-been-afraid-to-make-a-polite-ask-to-someone/) [Gerald Chertavian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-chertavian/) > [Canada's always kind of like a mixed bag with what you're gonna get audience-wise. Just because like, you know, the politeness. Like, obviously, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chappell-roan/canada-s-always-kind-of-like-a-mixed-bag-with-what-you-re-gonna-get/) [Chappell Roan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chappell-roan/) > [“To a strong, proven salesperson, an objection is as welcomed as a rain shower on a hot day because it proves that the client…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-a-strong-proven-salesperson-an-objection-is-as-welcomed-as-a-rain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are Physical, Mental and Spiritual beings. 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The objective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-delves-broughton/selling-is-hard-to-teach-because-it-is-about-what-exists-in-your-head/) Philip Delves Broughton > [“A person will buy something they really don't need off of a salesperson they really like before they buy something they desperately need off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-flora/a-person-will-buy-something-they-really-don-t-need-off-of-a/) [Johnny Flora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-flora/) > [“Salesmanship is usually the art of making it the prospect’s problem, the salesperson’s need or desire to earn money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/salesmanship-is-usually-the-art-of-making-it-the-prospect-s-problem/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) ## More by Craig Ferguson > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Sometimes people think you’re smart if you question the status quo, if nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/sometimes-people-think-you-re-smart-if-you-question-the-status-quo-if/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Sober alkies are often asked: "When did you hit rock bottom?" but a more informed question might be: "How many times did you hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/sober-alkies-are-often-asked-when-did-you-hit-rock-bottom-but-a-more/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [Remember the band, Flock of Seagulls? They had their van stolen. 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