In high school we had to choose a foreign language. My mother had once worked as an au pair in Switzerland, so I figured that learning French was probably my best bet given that she could help me with my homework. High school French turned into college French which eventually turned into living and working in France. When I look back at my high school decision, I realize that I had absolutely no clue what I was in for, but somewhere along the line I got hooked by the language and the culture.
That being said, we all know France has its quirks. Even for someone like myself who is a full-on francophile, there are still semi-annoying aspects of French culture. The dress code is typically black, transportation workers go on strike at the drop of a hat, salespeople can be incredibly sultry, and if you ever have to go through any type of French bureaucracy, you can be prepared for hours of frustration and confusion. Sometimes however, it all just takes some good tips on how to survive in French culture.
Elaine Sciolino has just finished her stint as the New York Times French Bureau Chief, and to honor her five and a half years of living as an American Paris, she writes “A Guide to the French. Handle With Care,” an article with eight lessons about France that we can all learn from. With #4 Make Friends with a Butcher, she reminds us of the importance that culinary figures have in everyday French life. #5 Kiss, But Be Careful Who You Hug, tells how the French “bisou” is not sexy, just normal. And of course, my personal favorite, #6 Don’t Wear Jogging Clothes to Buy a Pound of Butter; in France you should always look classy.
To get the full list of lessons, read the rest of Sciolino’s article here.