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How To Flirt In French

By Rebecca Connell
14/07/2010

Firstly, before giving you these sentences, I would like to precede them with a warning: contrary to popular belief, the French are not sleazy lotharios (well, not all of them at least). Pick-up lines are not used by your average man, French girls wouldn’t buy it: you see, we are sceptics by nature, and also highly image conscious. The flirting game for us is all about “insouciance”, the carefree attitude: the general rule of thumb being to not look overly interested and to engage in casual conversation. But despair not! As visiting English, you have an advantage! As much as you may be embarrassed by your stumbling, heavily accented French, don’t be: they are suckers for your accents just as much as you are for theirs. It’s not all frosty relations between our two countries, as much as the hoards of louty Brits have done little to endear England to the locals, the fascination with English wit and charm is still there.
 
To get you on your way, I have put together a collection of useful phrases starting with good conversation starters, and going on to quirky one liners.
 
So go ahead, use these sentences with caution, and a healthy dose of English humour and a swagger and you’ll be enjoying your holiday in no time.
 

Conversation starters you can safely use:

 

On the street


"Excusez-moi de vous déranger, mais comment s'appelle ce quartier?"
(Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering what the name of this neighbourhood was?)
 
"Je peux vous inviter à boire un verre?"
(May I buy you a drink?)
 

In a restaurant

"Pardonnez-moi, mais ça à l'air délicieux. C'est quoi?"
(Excuse me, but this looks delicious! What is it?)


To be used anywhere at anytime in France: nation of smokers

 
"Vous n'auriez pas du feu? Vous voulez peut-être une cigarette?"
(Do you have a lighter? Perhaps you’d like a cigarette?)
 

In a bar:

 
"Tu viens souvent ici?
 (Do you come here often?)
 

Pick-up lines to be used with slightly more caution and humour:

 
"Alors, ça roule? "
 (How you doin' ?)
 
Je viens tout juste d'arriver dans cette ville. Est-ce que tu pourrais m'indiquer le chemin jusqu'à ton appartement ?
(I just arrived in this city. Could you tell me the way to your apartment?)
 
"Excuse-moi, j'ai perdu mon numero de téléphone. Est-ce que je peux t'emprunter le tien?"
(Excuse me, I seem to have lost my phone number. Could I borrow yours?)

"Je trouve qu'il n'y a pas assez de fumé ici. Et si on sortait fumer une clope?"
( I don't think there's enough smoke in here. How about we go outside for a cigarette?)

"Excuse-moi. Est-ce que tu embrasses les inconnus ? Non ? Donc, je me présente."
(Excuse me, do you kiss strangers? No? Then let me introduce myself)

To a waiter(ess):" Est-ce que vous faites partie du menu?"
(Are you on the menu ?)
 

Two probably (definitely) not to be used, but worth a giggle:

 
" Mes sous-vètements sont comestibles."
(My underwear is edible)
 
"Enlève ta culotte, c'est moi qui pilote"
( find your own definition for this one)
 
Personally, as a girl, I would say that simple is always best: merely walk up to your chosen girl and say “Mademoiselle, je vous trouve absolument charmante” (I find you absolutely charming/ beautiful)- I have certainly never slapped someone for saying it!
 
Or better still you could pick a line from Jean Gabin in 'Quai des Brumes' " T'as de beaux yeux tu sais." "You know, you have beautiful eyes." It seemed to work for him.

Good Luck or Bonne Chance!
 

COMMENTS:

11/06/2019 - d.huang69 said :

Enlève ta culotte, c'est moi qui pilote

26/07/2013 - brewster2oct said :

The above comments and tips to talk in public were very useful. Thanks for this wonderful tips, You made me drawntowards you with this beautiful quotes to be said to a beautiful French lady or a man. Thanks deeply for your good tips

15/01/2013 - serialno said :

je ne support pas les meufs qui se la pète

26/11/2012 - stephenph said :

So my reply to "Vous vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" by a pretty French girl, of
"Fautes de mieux, pourquoi pas?
was not 'le mot juste'?

28/10/2012 - cl_rusu said :

I agree with most of the above..the French flirting is indeed charming,at times witty and all in all, very warm... the question is..where can we find it in London?:)))

12/11/2011 - gloomymoon said :

Hey I am a French and it is true : English accent is so charming ;)

05/08/2010 - huhongyan1987 said :

Thanks for your posting; Hope you can keep going.

22/07/2010 - boyarduk said :

Well magnificent_moosettina you were a right " tosser " then to stay in the same subject!! you should have checked your dictionary or phrase book. British men do the same to us ingenues French girls when we arrive here, all naive with their double entendre smut!

19/07/2010 - magnificent_moosettina said :

I used to wonder why, when working at a French bar, a colleague taught me a phrase that would make a pretty girl smile by offering her a straw with her drink,
"Alors vous aimerais sucer ma pipe?"
I did get quite a few drinks thrown in my face before another colleague took me aside and provided a modern translation but thought it was just French girls being more dramatic than our English ones!
I now know "une paille" is a straw!

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