1. Hugs seem oddly up close and personal.
I’ve never been one for hugging, just ask my father. I’d much prefer to keep my distance, which in America translates to a simple smile and wave, or a quick pat on the shoulder when I greet someone if I can get away with it. I often don’t, as Americans just really love to hug people. That’s why me and France get along.
In France, to greet an acquaintance or a friend on fait la bise– two quick kisses on both cheeks. For many Americans, the thought of that makes them uncomfortable. A kiss? Isn’t that a bit personal? Well, frankly, no, because it is not so much of a kiss as it is a quick tap of your cheek to the other person’s cheek. Quick, harmless, and most importantly, not smothering, like a hug à l’américaine.
Now, when I am meeting up with Americans and they go for the hug, I feel a little extra squeamish. While I am accustomed to it, I so much prefer the french way.
** Make sure to always say or ask On fait la bise? and not On baise? They are easy to confuse but the latter means something a little more…intimate.
2. Americans just seem so loud.
If a bunch of Americans having a conversation was equivalent to a lion’s roar, a European conversation would be on par with a kitty meowing. It appears that Europeans operate a fewer decibels lower than their North American neighbors (With one exception: when they’re watching the coupe du monde for Rugby in a bar). Which means that for the first few months you’ll struggle with remembering to be quiet. And then you’ll get used to it, and spend the next few months judging all the Americans who haven’t quite mastered that skill yet.
3. You love how waiter’s interact with you in France
First of all, no tips. Second of all, they don’t badger you with “How is everything going?” or “Can I get you the check?” or “Are you all enjoying yourselves?” during the entire meal. In France, your waiter takes your order, brings you the food, and then lets you eat in peace. No asking how the meal is going, and no pressuring you to hurry up because there is a 45 minute wait to be seated. It’s nice to be able to enjoy a meal without constant interruptions, and to feel as though you can stay as long as you’d like.
Beware, this means that you have to ask for the check. To do so, grab the waiter’s attention and say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît”.
4. You get used to not smiling at people in the street.
For me, I never smile at people that I pass by on the street in Boston or in Washington. In my hometown, I typically do, but that’s just the small town atmosphere. However, for a lot of Americans it can be hard to not smile at people. In France, smiling at someone in the street means you’re trying to hit on them or flirt with them. So unless that’s what you’re trying to do, keep those lips zipped.
5. To leave the house, you have to get dressed up a little.
The stereotypes are true, Parisians dress well. Now, this doesn’t mean they’re constantly sporting the most recent Gucci heels (Does Gucci sells heels? I don’t even know? If not, my bad.), they just look polished and put together. That means no sweatpants or baggy pants. Throw on some dark jeans, run a brush through that hair, and wrap a scarf around your neck. This starts to feel normal, and you would feel weird if you didn’t put a little effort into your appearance before leaving the house.
6. Walking becomes your only form of exercise.
Gyms are expensive everywhere, but there especially expensive in France on an abroad student’s budget. Yoga could be possible, but I don’t want to disturb the neighbor’s downstairs every time I fall out of my headstand. But as you start to realize the amount of calories you’ve consumed by eating chocolate mousse and pastries loaded with butter every day, you realize the need for exercise. And what better way to explore the city and get exercise by walking everywhere? Especially when your walks include views like this:
7. You become a food snob.
With 90 cent baguettes fresh out of the boulangerie oven, 4 euro wine that tastes better than some of the $20 wine you’ve bought in the US, and more varieties of cheese than you can dream of, it’s hard not to become a snob about the food you eat. Not to mention, the EU actually has regulations that keeps hormones, antibiotics, and other gross stuff out of foods. You start to rationalize: “well, this food is super unhealthy, but at least it’s not full of hormones like it would be in the US”. And then you promptly stuff it in your face.
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