French Connection's FCUK logo tapped into the logo-laden zeitgeist of the Nineties, but as fashion moved from combat pants and girl power pouts to parkas and scowls the brand was left behind. Shares in the London-based retailer fell as much as 15 percent after it reported a slowdown in like-for-like retail sales in the UK and Europe and lowered its outlook for North America.
Bonjour is the most common way to greet someone in France. It's used by all ages, and you'll hear it hundreds of times a day in the country, especially as people leave to say goodbye (Ciao is the equivalent in Italian). If you want to sound a little more formal, it's appropriate to add Madame/Madame or Monsieur/Monsieur after salut, although this is rarely done in real life.
You'll also often hear the phrase coucou, toi. It's a very sweet and cute expression that means "Hi there, you!" It's sometimes used to greet children, or you might see it in movies after two people who have slept together wake up.
Another informal way to greet someone is to ask, "Ca va?" This is similar to the English question, "What's up?" but it's more about expressing your curiosity than asking about somebody else's well-being. It's commonly heard in films and on TV, and it's best reserved for friends and family, rather than strangers.
When you're on the phone, it's very common to greet someone with allo, which is pronounced in a rising tone and sounds more like a question. You can also use the slang term ca farte, which is usually used to mock something or express disbelief (it's a favourite of French comedy character Brice de Nice).
In the more formal context of The french connection kissed meeting friends or colleagues in person, you might want to try c'est la vie, meaning, "that's life." It's very close in pronunciation to ciao, but it has an extra syllable and is a bit longer than salut. You can also add, enchantée or enchantee, which mean, "I'm charmed" or "delighted," respectively, to show your friend or colleague how much you enjoy being around them. You might even exchange a kiss on each cheek, depending on where you're at. This isn't always a sign of friendship, but it's very polite and can make a good impression on people you meet. Then again, you might just shake hands instead. It all depends on what kind of mood you're in!
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