But I digress.

It caught my eye because the French – sometimes held up as the epitome of rudeness – are now undergoing a revival of interest in manners and civility. People are even teaching classes in manners, where the French can learn how to behave like … well … like they’re not French.

Naturally, these classes involve lots of “do’s” and “don’ts.” I won’t bore you with all of the particulars, but some of them were pretty interesting. For instance, the article said that only a bumpkin would say, “Bon appétit” at the beginning of meal. Although the article did not specifically say so, I’m guessing “pass le ketchup” is not appropriate at any point. Also, if snails are on the menu it is considered impolite scoot them along the tabletop while making race-car noises.

Also, if a woman’s wineglass needs filling, she should play with it until her male neighbor notices and fills it. She should not bang it on the table like Wallace Beery in a 1930s prison movie.

This next one, only the French would come up with; a married woman should fold one hand over the other at the table, the better to show off her jewels. A man, on the other hand, should show off his jewels only when requested by the hostess, and never when her husband is in the room. Ah, the French!

Also, one should never leave the dinner table mid-meal. If a trip to the facilities is unavoidable, the socially correct guest waits until after the meal and then discreetly asks the host, “May I wash my hands?” The word “toilette” should never be heard; same goes the charming French colloquialism, “pinching off un baguette.”

In France, though, the civility doesn’t stop with the dinner party. The Paris transit authority is also in the midst of a campaign to improve the quality of travel for its passengers. Travelers are directed to muzzle their pets; use trash cans for their garbage, and to refrain from playing Edith Piaf songs on the concertina.