Culture Note 07 — Tu/vous is social, not just grammar

What to know (practical points) • Tu/vous signals distance, respect, or group identity. • Switching from vous to tu can signal closeness — or disrespect if premature. • In many settings, ‘vous’ is the safe default until invited otherwise. Micro-dialogue (French → English) • A: Vous voulez autre chose ? — Would you like anything else? • B: Non merci. — No thanks. • A: On peut se tutoyer ? — Can we use ‘tu’ with each other? What to do as a learner • If unsure, start with vous. • Let the other person propose tu, or follow their lead. Pronunciation and delivery tie‐in • Tone and meaning live in intonation and rhythm groups, not only vocabulary. • If you sound too flat or too English-stressed, the message changes.