Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Some Cultural Differences

Bonjour!  Hope everyone is having a great day, I just felt like jotting down some differences between American and French culture that have been rolling around in my head a lot lately.

First off, and this is the only thing I really dislike about France, EVERYBODY smokes!!!  Not only does people dropping cigarette butts on your feet get old after a while, but this habit the French have is very odd to me becuase it seems in direct contradiction with the "healthy" lifestyle they all love to boast about.  For example, if one buys a candy bar or heaven forbid a coke from the vending machines at the university, one definitely gets a look of judgment.  And everyone here makes such a big deal out of eating only fruits, vegetables, and meat during the week and reserving all (if any) sweets for the weekend.  And of course, if any food one buys does happen (by some slim chance) to be pasteurized, one must buy the "bio" organic brand!  To quote one of my friends, "...but isn't everything here organic anyway..?"  So .... how does smoking fit into their big healthy life plan??!  This paradox had me befuddled.  I just don't understand how people here can be so extremely health concious but treat smoking like it can't harm you.  C'est bizarre.

Another thing is the way people dress.  Now, I did expect it to be pretty fashionable here, but come on people, I can't even wear a descent sweatshirt to class without feeling like crap about myself!!  Stores SELL sweatshirts all over the place, I see them all the time, but I never see them on people!  Even men always wear super nice sweaters, peacoats, etc.. it's absolutely crazy how amazing everyone looks all the time!  I'm glad I didn't bring a whole lot of clothes so that I literally don't have much choice in what I can wear, I'm forced to wear good clothes every day!  I did bring a few A&M t-shirts and my Oxford sweatshirt (which I thought would be good because hey, at least it's European!), but if I wear a t-shirt it's while I'm at home and I think I've only worn the sweatshirt out in public once (today) and even though I wore my gray skinny jeans and vans along with it, I still felt super slumpy.... and even the French dressing slumpy is super fashionable so I can't compete!!  It's a lot to keep up with.

One last thing for now, so I will make it positive. :) Coffee...... sometimes when I'm at school I'm just so happy because I live in a magical land where you can get literally ANY cup of coffee you can imagine, including coffee + hot chocolate, out of a vending machine for only 50 centiemes! Ohhhh my gosh it's like heaven.  I really have to restrain myself.  I get at least one every day, and sometimes I do get more.... if I get change back from buying something at the supermarche or a boulangerie or something and they give me a lot of 50 centieme coins instead of euros, I think: "oh my GOSH it's a sign from God, I see lots of coffee in my not-too-distant future!!!" ...haha yes it's pretty bad.  I'm more than positive that that's my main money-suck right now, borderline addiction.  But hey, we don't have ANYTHING like that back in the states so I will enjoy my miracle coffee machine every day I get the chance. :)

Bon week-end!!

6 comments:

  1. Love it! France is so fun. I can just imagine the things you mentioned; in my head I have a snobby french guy in a pea coat and black shiny euro-shoes (how do euro-shoes look so different than ameri-shoes? but they do!), smoking while watching you order your coffee out of the vending machine. Have so much fun, Kelsi!

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    1. haha thanks :) and actually, I haven't met any snobby poeple yet!! I think that might just be a Paris thing... kind of like how NYC is for the U.S.

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  2. I'm curious about the smoking thing, too. If you ever ask anyone about it ( like your sponsor or does she smoke, as well?) I would like to know what you find out! Are you telling me they don't pasteurize anything?! That's awesome. I really wish we could be more like that here. We really would be more healthy!

    Sounds all so interesting!!!! Enjoy all that vending machine coffee :). Makes it convenient to accidently spill on any feet of those judgemental looks or those cigarette litter bugs :). I know you'd never, but it's at least something to think about.

    Love you! (wish I knew how to say it in French!)

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    1. Ya, the only thing that I've seen pasteurized is cheese, and that only some cow cheese, all the cheese that comes from sheep or goat isn't.

      hahaha you gave me a laugh, thanks :) and I love you is: je t'aime

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  3. Haha! I totally know what you mean about clothes. When I studied abroad, my 2 tshirts never left my suitcase. But it teaches you how to dress the fashionsble European way on a budget. :) glad you're having a great time!

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