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Life in France from an American's perspective... Real everyday details that bring out the big, and sometimes minute, cultural differences between the French and Americans.
Who am I ?
- French Confessions
- Hi, Well, I guess you could say that I'm the typical American who studied abroad, with a little twist; I met a French guy during my semester abroad, and after graduation (that would be from college in NY), I moved to France and actually married the guy. And you know what? That was ten years ago. Go figure...
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My take on the French "American Idol"
Ok. American Idol exists in over 44 different versions. The French version is called "Nouvelle Star," which I'm sure you all can figure out what that means.
Here's the thing. I don't know if I'm been here too long or not. I actually like the way they sing. But, any time an American watches it with me or checks out a song over the internet, they make fun of the way the candidates sing. Americans usually tell me that French singers are overly dramatic, too much into the vibrating voice and such. The more time I spend here, the more I like it. I still haven't bought a French CD yet, but I'll probably get there in a couple of years. Just check out "Nouvelle Star" over the net and let me know what you think.
Each candidate has their own, special character. The more original they are, the farther along they get in the show (last years winner is a wako, and I love him). The judges are great. They all come from different backgrounds (singer, composer, rock magazine editor) and their comments are what make the show a success.
Check it out. http://www.nouvellestar.fr/
Here's the thing. I don't know if I'm been here too long or not. I actually like the way they sing. But, any time an American watches it with me or checks out a song over the internet, they make fun of the way the candidates sing. Americans usually tell me that French singers are overly dramatic, too much into the vibrating voice and such. The more time I spend here, the more I like it. I still haven't bought a French CD yet, but I'll probably get there in a couple of years. Just check out "Nouvelle Star" over the net and let me know what you think.
Each candidate has their own, special character. The more original they are, the farther along they get in the show (last years winner is a wako, and I love him). The judges are great. They all come from different backgrounds (singer, composer, rock magazine editor) and their comments are what make the show a success.
Check it out. http://www.nouvellestar.fr/
The month of May in France
If you like vacation days, the month of May in France is the place to be!
If you own your own company and have employees, May is the least profitable month of the year (other than August I would imagine).
May 1st is labor day in France. Most French people take the opportunity to extend the extra day into a 4 day weekend, or even take a full week off. This year it was a Friday. When it lands on a Thursday, or a Tuesday many French companies give their employees the day between the weekend and the holiday off. It's called "Le Pont" in French, literally meaning, "The Bridge."
My husband and I had the fantastic idea of going to the "Foire de Paris" on May 1st. It's an annual home fair held at the huge convention center in Paris. Thousands of companies have stands there - electrical appliances, AC companies, hard-wood floors, garage doors, safes, furniture companies. I spend SEVEN hours there (we're renovating our house right now so we had a million excuses to spend time there). Anyway, it seemed like about half of Paris was at the Convention Center. Bad idea to go on May 1st. My thought is, either leave town 3 days before labor day to avoid horrible traffic in and right outside of Paris, or stay at home, literally...
By the way, May 8th is another holiday to celebrate WWII Victory Day. I think I'll stay inside this time.
If you own your own company and have employees, May is the least profitable month of the year (other than August I would imagine).
May 1st is labor day in France. Most French people take the opportunity to extend the extra day into a 4 day weekend, or even take a full week off. This year it was a Friday. When it lands on a Thursday, or a Tuesday many French companies give their employees the day between the weekend and the holiday off. It's called "Le Pont" in French, literally meaning, "The Bridge."
My husband and I had the fantastic idea of going to the "Foire de Paris" on May 1st. It's an annual home fair held at the huge convention center in Paris. Thousands of companies have stands there - electrical appliances, AC companies, hard-wood floors, garage doors, safes, furniture companies. I spend SEVEN hours there (we're renovating our house right now so we had a million excuses to spend time there). Anyway, it seemed like about half of Paris was at the Convention Center. Bad idea to go on May 1st. My thought is, either leave town 3 days before labor day to avoid horrible traffic in and right outside of Paris, or stay at home, literally...
By the way, May 8th is another holiday to celebrate WWII Victory Day. I think I'll stay inside this time.
Driving in France - Rules exist to be broken, and apparently, so do lanes.
I have a lot to say on this subject. Let me start with the most obvious one; motorcyclists.
In the United States, we have traffic lanes. So do the French. The difference is, drivers (including motorcycles) STAY IN THEM !
In France, rules exist to be broken, and apparently, so do lanes.
I've been here for nine years, and driving since day 1. The thing that surprised me most were the motorcycles swarming by me at mock speed during rush hour. My first reaction was to give them the 'road-rager finger.' But somehow, over the years I've molded into a semi-French driver and now I practically appoligize when I'm too close to a motorcyclist wizzing by me in the non-existant lane.
Yes, this is true. Motorcyclyists here drive like crazy people and somehow everybody accepts this. As a matter of fact, drviers actually curve to the opposite side of the lane to let motorcycles go by. And if the car isn't far enough from the non-existant lane that the motorcyclist has created, they get the finger !
Does anybody find this frustrating other than me?
In the United States, we have traffic lanes. So do the French. The difference is, drivers (including motorcycles) STAY IN THEM !
In France, rules exist to be broken, and apparently, so do lanes.
I've been here for nine years, and driving since day 1. The thing that surprised me most were the motorcycles swarming by me at mock speed during rush hour. My first reaction was to give them the 'road-rager finger.' But somehow, over the years I've molded into a semi-French driver and now I practically appoligize when I'm too close to a motorcyclist wizzing by me in the non-existant lane.
Yes, this is true. Motorcyclyists here drive like crazy people and somehow everybody accepts this. As a matter of fact, drviers actually curve to the opposite side of the lane to let motorcycles go by. And if the car isn't far enough from the non-existant lane that the motorcyclist has created, they get the finger !
Does anybody find this frustrating other than me?
This sounds like a very interesting perspective, plus I had always wondered where you wandered off to after high school. :) My perspective is probably pretty different being that I moved to Europe at 30 with my husband's job.
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