Les Différences Culturelles

I have been trying my hardest to collect a fichier of notable cultural differences between France and the United States. Granted, I have not traveled outside of Paris yet, so the file is still growing as there are certainly other differences outside the bubble of Paris. In fact, I suspect that comparing Paris with other parts of France is like comparing New York City to, say, Iowa. :) Les grandes différences, indeed!

First off, I will say this: I have coffee every morning. Sometimes one cup, if I'm lucky, two. After a few years of working an office job, and many more years working directly inside the coffee industry in Chicago, it is not only a morning ritual but imperative for my sanity when waking up at 7a.m. to go to class. That being said, I do not appreciate the countless stares I receive during my nearly 1-hour transit to school, being the sole person on the train with a to-go cup in hand. Anyway, it's Bodum, okay?! They're a Swiss company...doesn't that count for something?!

All jokes aside, it does feel rather strange to know there are just certain things I do, from the way I dress down to the most minute mannerism, that are, dare I admit, downright American. When I first arrived in Paris, this bothered me so much that I tried desperately to blend in, even if it meant giving up a little personal integrity. (I said a little, not a lot ;) ) The good news is, I succeeded when I really wanted to, though I am finding more and more that there are some things about me that can never be French, such as my rounded facial structure or even my blonde hair. And you know what? That is perfectly fine. I went from shooting back glares at French women turning up their noses at my coffee cup to just allowing them to stare. It's not hurting me, and in fact, if they have a problem with my insistence to bring a coffee with me in the morning, the problem is, in actuality, theirs! In fact, anyone that passes judgement on the Paris Metro of another human being over something as trivial as this has surely not traveled far outside the bubble of Paris.

Aside from the lack of beverages on the train (not including liquor hiding ever-so-discretely in coke bottles of French teenagers on the weekend), the differences are enormous. All you have to do is be open to them and observant, and you will notice a plethora of other distinctions between France and the U.S. Voila my running file..

• Cashiers are allowed to sit down while they work in supermarkets. Now I know this may seem like an odd thing for me to notice, but after years of working in the service industry, on my feet all day long, day-in, day-out, this seems revolutionary - one point for France for this one! Who would've thought that a corporation such as a supermarket would actually care enough about their workers to allow them to sit down in the same place they would just be standing all day? Then again, with France's notoriety for being a socialist-leaning country, it seems only natural.
• Often, their are shared toilets. Not exactly a canny observation, but noteworthy, nonetheless. At my university, this is just the way it is. You go into the stall as a girl to do your business, and realize their is a guy doing his business just outside. Eek! This is not exactly something that really bothers me, but if you are a person who prefers privacy to do your business, beware! Need I even mention what happens if you don't just need to pee? (Also, often their are no toilet seats. Zut.)
• There really is a sense of propriety and old-fashioned-ness everywhere you go. If you have never visited France, it is important to note that every time you enter a shop/patisserie/boulangerie, it is custom to say, "Bon jour" or "Bon Soir," and it is considered rude not to say these things. Once again, this is something I prefer, being in France and not the United States. In the U.S., sometimes this happens, but usually if it does, the person is trying to sell you something. Here, it is just simple acknowledgement of your presence, not forced, with no expectations. Likewise, upon exiting, you say, "Merci, au revoir!," even if you have purchased nothing.
• Many stores and supermarkets are closed on Sundays. Once again, this may not seem like something worth noting, but in our fast-paced America, I imagine some people would be outraged to realize they can't buy their 10 packs of Doritos and 12 pack of Mountain Dew for the week. I will admit, it definitely took awhile to adjust to this aspect, but you get used to it. Naturally, Sunday seems a good day to go grocery shopping, but too bad! You will just have to run your errands on Saturday instead. 
• Speaking of places being closed, don't expect to get anything done here, errands-wise. Ever. It has been 3 months, and I just received my bank card. This is partly my fault for failing to go the right branch in the first place, but I cannot describe all of the horror stories my friends and I have heard/personally encountered with trying to get ourselves established à Paris. As if finding housing wasn't hard enough, you want to pick up your bank card? You have to wait until you have provided the proper documentation, and no, they cannot mail it to you. And believe me, the day you finally have time to go, they will be closed for their 2-hour lunch. Or the cash machine will be broken. Or you will have forgotten your passport. Ok, I am venturing into bitter territory, but it's the same with the office of my exchange program and also with many restaurants. If you're hungry at 3 p.m. and want a legitimate meal, pardon my English, but you're just merde out of luck. Reluctantly, I grant one point to America for efficiency in this arena.
• Kisses, bisous, double, always! It is likely that most people know this about the French, or at least most Americans, but when you are meeting someone on a friendly basis, either a friend-of-a-friend, or a new friend (after you have established that you are friends, never before!), you kiss each other twice, one kiss for each cheek. I remember the first time I encountered this behaviour, it seemed so oddly terrifying, but I must say now, it is quite nice. :) In fact, I prefer it tremendously over a stale handshake. It is much more affectionate, and believe it or not, it can even make you suddenly care for and treasure a person more. Now, there's an interesting sociological study! As if you can't already tell, there is not a lot of space in Europe, and if we have to be so close anyway, why not just embrace it? 

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I'm sure there are more differences that I am simply not remembering or haven't yet noticed, but I am sure they will be discovered along this road that is all at once an overwhelming, fulfilling, and curious existence in Paris.

A bientôt, e r i n