Here is a list that I have compiled of differences in daily living between French and American lifestyles.
They have separate weighing stations for vegetables at the supermarket and you have to weigh them before check out. I think I forgot this almost every time that I bought vegetables. Then, I would have to run back and get them weighed and I'd get funny looks from people.
Stores close early in France, usually everything is closed by seven and on Sundays hardly anything is open.
Tax is included in the ticket price. What you see is what you pay!
Stores close early in France, usually everything is closed by seven and on Sundays hardly anything is open.
Tax is included in the ticket price. What you see is what you pay!
They don't put as much emphasis on customer service there. You will often find long lines at the grocery store and with lunch hours and stores closing so early, it can be hard to get the help you need- especially with the language barrier.
You have to buy your plastic bags at the supermarket, so usually people bring their own cloth ones.
Animals can follow their owners into most restaurants or stores. We had a cat that lived in our university, I loved seeing him run down the halls and petting him in between classes :)
Most cars are hatchbacks, that's how they keep them so small!
The milk is unpasteurized, so that means they don't have to refrigerate it until it's opened. It's very odd to see milk just sitting in a cupboard.
The French tend to wear more neutral colors, you don't see many lime greens or hot pinks.
Most people there use military time.
The French don't cook their meat as much as Americans. I was served red meat often. Once when Courtney and I were cooking, her host brother walked up to us, grabbed a piece of raw chicken and ate it.
They write the date inverted so that it goes DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY
When reading music, they don't use the letters A-G. Instead they use solfège, even for chords! This made my life a little difficult when I wanted to learn how to play french songs on guitar.
You have to buy your plastic bags at the supermarket, so usually people bring their own cloth ones.
Animals can follow their owners into most restaurants or stores. We had a cat that lived in our university, I loved seeing him run down the halls and petting him in between classes :)
Most cars are hatchbacks, that's how they keep them so small!
The milk is unpasteurized, so that means they don't have to refrigerate it until it's opened. It's very odd to see milk just sitting in a cupboard.
The French tend to wear more neutral colors, you don't see many lime greens or hot pinks.
Most people there use military time.
The French don't cook their meat as much as Americans. I was served red meat often. Once when Courtney and I were cooking, her host brother walked up to us, grabbed a piece of raw chicken and ate it.
They write the date inverted so that it goes DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY
When reading music, they don't use the letters A-G. Instead they use solfège, even for chords! This made my life a little difficult when I wanted to learn how to play french songs on guitar.
Today I am sick, I can't breath through my nose and I'm coughing a lot. My host Mom gave me foot creme to help my stuffy nose. I have to put it on four times a day. It kind of reminds me of a vix rub that goes on your feet- only it's stronger smelling cause it has further to travel. :) But when I put it on my feet felt really warm and tingly, so it's good.
I've also noticed that many of the French have a habit of saying oui while breathing in. It comes out as a kind of exasperated sound of surprise. I just found it interesting because it's the first time I've heard people say things while breathing in instead of out.
American chocolate really doesn't have a good reputation here.
The majority of French cars are manual.
Cake here rarely has frosting on it.
Windows don't have screens, they are genuine shutters and glass panels. It's kind of nice to have a view of the world that is unobstructed. They also have less bugs here, so when it's warm sometimes the houses will have all their doors and windows wide open. Lots of houses have gates or at least fences around them.
Restaurants post their menu with the prices outside the restaurant, so that one can look and decide if they want to eat there, without entering. Other shops often do the same thing with the clothing that is on display. It's a nice judge of whether one can afford to shop there.
I have yet to see a single pair of sweatpants or pajamas on campus. They think it is truly bizarre that we will wear them to class sometimes :)
I've also noticed that many of the French have a habit of saying oui while breathing in. It comes out as a kind of exasperated sound of surprise. I just found it interesting because it's the first time I've heard people say things while breathing in instead of out.
American chocolate really doesn't have a good reputation here.
The majority of French cars are manual.
Cake here rarely has frosting on it.
Windows don't have screens, they are genuine shutters and glass panels. It's kind of nice to have a view of the world that is unobstructed. They also have less bugs here, so when it's warm sometimes the houses will have all their doors and windows wide open. Lots of houses have gates or at least fences around them.
Restaurants post their menu with the prices outside the restaurant, so that one can look and decide if they want to eat there, without entering. Other shops often do the same thing with the clothing that is on display. It's a nice judge of whether one can afford to shop there.
I have yet to see a single pair of sweatpants or pajamas on campus. They think it is truly bizarre that we will wear them to class sometimes :)
When I went to secondhand store called Ding Fring, I bought some things and I got a card just like back home where if I spend enough money, I get some money free. But it says that 15 stamps = 1 tampon. Apparently the word tampon in French means stamp or coupon. I found it rather amusing.
The other day, my friend Courtney tried to use her calling card and ended up calling the fire department on accident. They kept asking her if she needed help and she didn't know the way to say wrong number. Luckily they didn't come to her house!
I played a very odd card game with my family called a sheep at sea. It uses cards with buoys on them and you have to try and save your sheep. It was pretty odd. They also have Monopoly here, but it has totally different names for the places.
I made peanut butter cookies with Courtney and brought some to my family and most of them did not like peanut butter!
My first morning here there was a big bowl on my placemat with a spoon next to it, so I was expecting cereal. Instead they poured me a huge bowl of tea. haha
Bread really is eaten with every meal.
Drivers here are much nicer to pedestrians and usually stop for them.
The French are never rushed when eating or drinking. They will literally sit at a cafe for a couple of hours over one drink. Also, they never eat on the go or even drink on the go. Food is never a thing that is multitasked.
The other day, my friend Courtney tried to use her calling card and ended up calling the fire department on accident. They kept asking her if she needed help and she didn't know the way to say wrong number. Luckily they didn't come to her house!
I played a very odd card game with my family called a sheep at sea. It uses cards with buoys on them and you have to try and save your sheep. It was pretty odd. They also have Monopoly here, but it has totally different names for the places.
I made peanut butter cookies with Courtney and brought some to my family and most of them did not like peanut butter!
My first morning here there was a big bowl on my placemat with a spoon next to it, so I was expecting cereal. Instead they poured me a huge bowl of tea. haha
Bread really is eaten with every meal.
Drivers here are much nicer to pedestrians and usually stop for them.
The French are never rushed when eating or drinking. They will literally sit at a cafe for a couple of hours over one drink. Also, they never eat on the go or even drink on the go. Food is never a thing that is multitasked.
