At a New England boarding school, students only have time to do what’s necessary. Time is a precious commodity. People on the other side of the world think differently. In France, the attitude towards life is the opposite of ours, with an emphasis placed on slowing down. When the group of Choaties on term abroad in France is exploring one of the many neighborhoods of Paris, our teacher Mr. Jannot never fails to remind us to stop at a café or sit on a park bench, even if it is cold. This notion of slowing down extends into every facet of the Parisian lifestyle.
In America, family dinners can be impossible several nights a week—hence the advent of TV dinners. They are quick, easy, and, to an extent, delicious. Everything in Paris, however, is fresh, not frozen. We were shocked to walk into a supermarket and find that a butcher had an entire pig’s leg on the counter and was cutting it into bacon strips upon request. Once the butcher finished carving the meat, he pulled out another leg.
A Refined Dining Experience
When shopping for groceries, Parisians never buy large amounts of anything. Sam’s and Costco would go bankrupt here. A French dinner consists of many small courses, never one big plate. First comes the salad or the soup, then the main entrée, next some cheese and, and finally the dessert. All this food is served with water, not soda, and bread. Unlike the expeditious TV dinners, this meal can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Each night is a surprise, one course succeeding another. Instead of putting all the courses on the table at once, a family member clears the table after each course and brings out another. When a meal is finished, there is always a feeling of satisfaction and content, never the greasy sentiments that can accompany frozen dinners.
Children in Paris dream about eating Nutella and sugary foods, unlike their American counterparts who eat them routinely. Their diet prevents them from eating any sugar whatsoever, including candy. They are watched, according to my French host mother, “like hawks,” to make sure that they are eating healthy. Is flavored yogurt or plain yogurt with sugar healthy for a child? In the eyes of a French mom, this is unhealthy. Except on special occasions, French children do not, as one might think, enjoy the confections that popularize places like Fauchon and Ladurée.
American Staples with a Twist
As healthy as the French lifestyle is, McDonalds, Subway, and, with a little luck, KFC can be found. But McDonalds in France is quite different from in America. Except for the Big Mac, all the names of the burgers are different. Potato wedges sit alongside fries as an alternative side order. A meal is ordered in three steps: sandwich, side order, and drink. It is like a puzzle that you put together. But the biggest difference between the two is that McDonalds in France sells beer. In America, McDonalds appeals to families, with playgrounds attached to restaurants. Here, there is not a McDonalds playground in sight.
Though McDonalds has no family appeal over here, families do spend time together. As well as eating together every night, families spend all day Sunday together. In America, Sunday is a day to relax, go shopping, or maybe get a haircut. But in France, all stores are closed. Sunday is referred to as family day. This is the day when everyone goes to the park and enjoys a walk or maybe a bike ride.
When taking a walk, it’s important to pay close attention to the surrounding traffic because, believe it or not, motorcycles can often be found driving on the sidewalk. At crosswalks, cars are not required to stop; they are simply not allowed to hit pedestrians. Drivers go at a range of speeds because there are no speed limit signs.
Showers are Smaller
If during a walk the need to use a bathroom arises, public bathrooms line the streets. They are not porta-potties per se; inside they are spacious, and they are not portable but connected to the street. They can be found everywhere, so during a stay in Paris, never worry about not having a bathroom available. The French philosophy of living can be summed up in one word: moderation. Everything comes in small quantities or sizes. Even the apartments are small. The shower is literally two square feet, and defined only by a shower curtain. Unlike Americans, the French prefer to shower either between 7:30 and 10 am or between 7 and 9 pm, but never during both periods. The shower room is so small that the toilet is contained in another room. Instead of washing hands then and there, you must travel to another room before doing so.
Although there are many complications and culture shocks for Americans visiting France, it is truly a wonderful place.
