What struck you about France?

Cheryl · 2021-03-24T09:10:44+01:00

Discover surprising customs and traditions in France that expats experience upon arrival. Share your anecdotes and learn from others' integration stories.

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator24 March 2021 07:10:44

14111

Hello everybody,

When you first settled in France, you might have been struck by cultural aspects of life in France and you might even have anecdotes about your integration here.
We would like you to share with expats-to-be what you discovered once you arrived in France: customs, traditions, interesting or fun facts etc.

What were the things that surprised you the most after your arrival?

Are there any practices that are particularly out of step with your culture of origin? If so, what are they?

What do you think about them?

Did you get used to these and adopt some of these traditions or norms?

Do you think you would take some of the customs of France with you if you were to return to your home country or move to another country?

Thank you!

Cheryl,
海角乱伦 team

CiliaAnn Active member

Member since 22 May 2020

CiliaAnnActive member31 March 2021 16:56:54

I was 18 when I first came to France.聽 That was a very long time ago.聽 Flying was out of the question as in the 60s, far too expensive and sophisticated.聽 I came by ferry to Dieppe and then train to the Gare Saint-Lazare.聽 Black tobacco in the heat of July and stalls selling sugary toasted almonds on the streets hit the sense of smell and of course the bustle of a railway station packed with parents meeting their children off the trains, back from the 'stages linguistiques'.聽 I had been told to wait for a Madame T, accompanying one of these groups.聽 I had absolutely no idea how to identify her amongst the throngs of chattering parisians.聽 I was lucky to be able to understand French from intense A-level work at school and stood waiting puzzled as to what to do next ... and eavesdropping on those nearest to me.聽 Miraculously, I heard the name Madame T, mentioned and so 'SVP, attendez-vous Madame T?'聽 Oui, oui !!!
From then on, the sensations were unique and fabulous.聽 I was treated like a daughter by the family whose au-pair I became in their house in the country.聽 I learnt to cook and how.聽 The rapport with food is ever present in France and in the 60s, one went to the dairy for milk in a churn and cream for 'fromage blanc', the butter was a 'motte' llike a huge decorated rugby ball, cheese was local, Saint Nectaire and Cantal, fruit and vegetables were straight from the 'potager', pieces of meat were hung in the cellar and roasted on a spit in the fireplace for the Sunday lunches and of course wine was from a barrel in the 'cave' extracted with a 'pipette' straight into the jug.聽聽All this I could deal with, but the most difficult was eating the salad the French way, Stuffing whole leaves with their dressing into one's mouth with just a fork in a nonchalant, chic manner is an art to be acquired.聽 There was 'salade verte' with every meal !
None of this happened in the south of England in 1964 ...
I apologize for getting carried away but once started, it's difficut to staunch the memories.