Ever wonder what the United States of America looks like through the eyes of a French person?
My French husband, Jonathan, has visited the United States multiple times at this point. He’s no longer shocked by what he sees. However, there are a number of things that initially stood out to him regarding American culture and norms. Here are some things that my French husband found surprising when he first encountered them in the USA.
Living abroad is an incredible opportunity and I feel very fortunate to have been able to make it my reality. There are certain aspects of life abroad that you can only truly understand if you’ve lived abroad yourself. If you’ve ever moved away from your home country to experience a life abroad, you will certainly be able to identify with many of the realizations and truths on this list.
Driving by car is a great way to explore France, travel on your own schedule, and see areas of the country that are harder to access by public transportation. As an American, you’ll find that driving in France is not all that different from driving in the United States. Let’s look at some of the key differences and important road signs so that you know what to expect when driving in France.
La rentrée ! Back to school time in France! Let’s take a look at some typical school supplies that students in France need for the classroom.
If you told me 5 years ago that I would own all of these household items, I wouldn’t have believed you because I certainly didn’t have a need for them. After moving to France, some of these items I bought and others I now own due to a merging of households with my French husband. Typical in many French homes, here are a list of common things that, as an American, I never owned before moving to France.
Considering France is well-known for its gastronomy, it may come as a surprise to you that French people typically eat a very simple meal for breakfast. Usually more sweet than savory, le petit déjeuner, as the French say, is not a very big or important meal in France. In fact, many French people don’t eat breakfast at all, waiting until lunch to eat. Read on to find out what the usual French breakfast consists of.
Wondering what to bring as a gift to French people from the United States of America? Here are some ideas of American products and foods that you can pack in your suitcase on your flight to France. These would be great as gifts if you are visiting French friends or if you have French family members.
Have you ever wondered what things you can do in the United States of America that you can’t do in France? As an American living in France, this list is based on my personal experience along with observations that my French husband has made.
Have you ever wondered what the equivalent of 911 is in France or what you should do in an emergency situation? Unlike in the United States of America where there is one single emergency telephone number, there are multiple emergency numbers in France. Get familiar with the most important French emergency numbers before your next trip.
If you’re moving to France, be sure to download these useful apps to your smartphone. Technology has made a lot of things easier for us, and these tools are sure to make your life in France more manageable. As an American expat living in France, I use all of them regularly.