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Hello

Hello Patricia ! Bravo for your courage, your patience, your modesty and for the intelligence you have shown by coming to settle in France. Now you're part of our community and I'm really happy for you. (Never I could have left the town of Parisian suburbs where I was born and where I live since 1958 to change my life in a foreign country ! I love France too much for that...) Your anecdote on people who hadn't answered your hello did not surprise me. Times have changed and apart from the villages where everyone knows each other, people have lost the habit of saying hello in the street, especially in big cities and if this salutation comes from an unkown person. On the contrary, it might be strange and a little bit scary to the person you come across ! In France we make "air-kisses" to friends and we shake hands with others, but we're not people as tactile as the American, who take themselves in their arms to make big "hugs" to the length of time ! On the other hand, not to say "Bonjour" when you enter a store or a restaurant is VERY unpolite. But now that you're as French as me, you already know all that ! Otherwise you say that you don't manage to find a spicy sauce in France, it's because you don't know yet "La Maison MARTIN" ! It's a young brand that offers spicy sauces of all kinds, from the softest to the most explosive ! 😈(Without forgetting their ketchups and other high quality products...) Go on Google and you'll see their brilliant site, moreover realized with humor, because you'll not find their sauces in supermarket. Good continuation Patricia and again, congratulations for your successful integration and your excellent videos ! 🇫🇷 ❤ 🇺🇸

I am in my mid 50s and I don't know if I could wait until i am 60's to retiered and move or leave everything and follow my dreams to move to France. At my aged my coworkers are only talking about waiting to retired to collect more money. If I leave I probably loose my pension but I m also no happy here anymore many reason but with the politiical atmosphere ruling the usa now its defenitly unpleasant and dificult to wait any longer. Its possible to find a job in france for a person in their 50s? They said that st the end people regret the things they didn't do in life and I dont want thst to happend to me. Thanks for sharing your adventure

Thank you for the realistic introspection of your big move. You have a great attitude and inspire me in my future plans as well.🌸

Excellent video!! You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m contemplating moving to Nice next spring and have been watching various videos on moving to France as an American. I’ve watched several of your videos and am really impressed by you. You touch on so many things that I didn’t even think of but need to, so thank you. I’m going to take your quiz and will be scheduling a complimentary session with you. Thank you so much for enlightening me!! Keep doing what you’re doing.

That was so interesting thank you for sharing it with us

I was french and have been living in Norway for 30 years now. - One of the first key points that made me understand that Norway became my home now was when after a visit in France, I was happy to travel back to Norway. - Another one was when I surprised myself not understanding at all why people in France could think in a "french" way, specially regarding the way they look at the retirement age that cannot be an older one, the way they look negatively at new rules that often are done for the better, the way people have no problem with drinking and driving and the way some people can educate their kids. - When I understood that I was dreaming in Norwegian, was another key point of my understanding I was getting more and more norwegian and less and less French. - The final one was when I gave up my french citizenship and received my norwegian one, and that I felt that I would not flee but fight for Norway if one day the situation might require to do so. For all these reasons, I also understand all that you express in your video. But to be honest, there are 2 things for which I still have not succeed to be completely norwegian, even after 30 years. These things being the love of the french food and the passion for the french soccer and rugby teams. Maybe have you adopted yourself these two things in your heart ;). To conclude, in my opinion, although France, like every other countries, is not perfect, I think that you accepted in your heart and in your mind a very rich, unique and interesting place and way of living. Even if it can requires quite some adjustments to fit in. Very nice video!!!

You’re a beautiful soul. Thanks for sharing these videos with us.

After watching the video and seeing the footage of Collioure, I have scraped 75% of my trip later this year and booking time there. Much more excited now! Thanks!

If you had to do it again, would you? Sacrifices and inconveniences happen everyday. I roll with the punches or change courses. Have a great day! 🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️

What about healthcare?

Hi Patricia, I love that you did your talk while showing us a the same time a tour on foot and car of the beautiful surroundings. I live in London and we have a cultural habit here that often Americans find hard to adjust to - in that if you bump into someone or touch them - inevitably so in many of the crowded spaces or venues of the city - you just say a short but kind, "Sorry"; and then the other person who was bumped into or touched, says a short and kind "Sorry" too. Even though they weren't at fault - both say it in the same spirit , and its purpose is to immediately dissolve any conflict and tension there and then and the two people can go on their way.. But Americans here, if they get bumped into, can get confused and just stop or be annoyed. Or won't understand why they have to say sorry too when they were jostled into! The feeling is to throw a spanner in the works, but once the norms are learnt, I hope you and others have been able to happily readust and enjoy your life here in Europe. Bon Chance et toutes amitiés

My guess is that he didn't respond because you didn't address him as "Monsieur", as in "Bonjour, Monsieur". I was taught to always add this when addressing the French. Seems like a small thing, but it's not.

I have a strange ability to speak imperfect French without a trace of an accent. It's a real conversation starter, as the French find it fascinating. I've had great interactions while there, but I am very comfortable with their much more formal manner. One must always greet and say goodbye to a shopkeeper or salesperson. I have found that most French in Paris will say "pardon" if they have to brush past you.

Welcome here in a communist not "land of the free" ! 🤣 Congratulation to you for finding happiness where it is.

"as an american, I didn't felt healthcare was a human right" 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

It’s nice to hear you describe the city:”…WE don’t have the remparts anymore, but WE do still have two entrances…” if you or anyone still has doubts if you are part of the city community let him watch your vlog. 🎼“… You are part of it CÉRET, CÉREEEET!”🩷

Ha ha, the last thing I ever asked for from a visiting American friend was popcorn salt.

Hi Patricia. I am brand new to your channel! I really like your content. Everything you said really hit home. I am interested in your March 22nd online workshop. 🎉

My cousin married someone from Denmark. When they came to my house , the wife refused to use a flat sheet with the duvet and when I visited them, she refused to give me a flat sheet. Sorry to say we had it out, so to speak. I don't remember if she agreed to use the flat sheet, but i do remember that after being quite annoyed w me, she finally gave a flat sheet! Reminds me, I was just in Provence and no flat sheet w a heavy comforter but I didn't bother saying anything.

You are truly an introspective person.

My daily habit since the 1970's is a half hour of daily meditation. Now that I am retired and a have house, I use my guest room as my meditation and yoga room. I have been involved with Vedic Indian spirituality since that time and this path has been my God-send for all the challenges that life has given me. You are blessed to have a lovely place to walk near your home. I too have that opportunity as well and living on Cape Cod also affords me many beach walks with I prefer.

Happy, Happy New Year, Patricia!

If all French born people had to pass the naturalization test as imposed to foreigners, a lot of them wouldn't pass and wouldn't "deserve" to be naturalized, as the far right say about foreigners, when they obtained their own french nationality just by being born.

I believe that some things are people’s destiny… even places welcome them with ease if they’re meant to be there. Equally converse when it’s time to leave, a place will ‘show you the door’… this happened to me living in Indonesia for ten yrs, & when it was time to go I knew it.

Lovely❤

The last laughing video was such a unique experience for me. I did laugh along with you on several moments and am still shocked that I watched a laughing video for 10 minutes! The brain flossing really got me going, as well as the shock handshake!! Thanks for the fun❤

Wow, village life in France is so much more traditional than I imagined. Reminds me of that man vie ‘Le grand Chemin’ luv that movie.

A shy lady with a YT channel! Ima try to do that shift to curiosity! Tnx

Thank you

Hello Patricia . I have good news . I made some progress in English. At the end I thought it was better to train myself towards a British accent .Have a nice day . ☀️☀️I might begin to learn Japanese now . Have a good weekend .

So learning French is the most important thing to do.

Thanks for sharing. How hot does Perpignan get in summer?

A white country is the 1st place you think to “be yourself.” I really hate to talk bad about another black woman but she’s giving Get Out vibes. This video is very cringe. It’s this obsession with European culture. It’s one thing to want to explore in general, but it’s like most blacks pedestalized white nations. No wonder whites can’t get out of their superiority complex. The pedestalizing is unreal. French food, “Is the freshest and best,” right… I want sis to be happy, I don’t truly see it on her face. Those eyes look said and the smile looks like a front. There is definitely racial trauma here that is suppressed. Then happy about Spain who created racism 🥴. One question, do we see whites pedestalizing African countries like this? She seems like the type that someone can be overtly racist too and just act like it’s ok as long as they’re white. There are no amazing black artists, only Picasso. She does seem like an amazing woman, but the dissociativeness. Also, that black women always have to move and do everything alone. This world makes me sick.

Patricia, very beautiful testimony. I emigrated to Brazil in 1976 where I got married, had my two children, and returned to France with my family in 1996. I felt exactly the same sensations as you, with the addition of marrying a Brazilian and having two children born in Brazil which gave me the feeling of belonging to the brasilian community. As Madame Joséphine Baker could have said 'J'ai deux amours, mon pays et le Brésil' . I kiss you.

Actually we have civic classes as kids in France so probably not that different from you as an adult. I can tell you about my experience as a French moving to the US (legally) in 2002. I eventually got my work permit and soon after got a job. I'm a leader in my field so I was leading a team, but some members were not happy about me being French. There was a huge anti French campaign at the time, for those who remember, because of the Irak war. Anyway, one guy tried to fight me (yep, physical) and I ended up quitting the job. I had a few more experiences like this and eventually after a few years that started to calm down. I'm not easily frightened so in every case, those American were always the ones backing up.

😍😍😍😍

Some bankers will look down on you if your bank account does not fit regular usages, but they are just cunts. They make you feel that they are doing you a favor by providing you a bank account, but it is the other way around, you are the client and if they don't treat you as such, you can go to another bank that will treat you with more respect. That's great that you feel that you belong now and I wish you a happy life in France.

Hello Patricia. Thank you for your excellent video. You have been through a lot to get to where you are and I admire you. I am presently searching for a house in France that is suitable for me, affordable, near essential stores and services and transportation. I’ve met with my realtor about selling my house. I have discussed my plans with my family and they are supportive. I leave for CDG in march and have selected several potential houses to view with agents all in towns that seem to meet my expectations. During this visit I will search for expat groups and visit the Mairies in each town to get a better understanding of the towns. I have moved from Philadelphia to Annapolis MD for over 10 years and become a known part of the community making friends etc. I then moved to cape May prior to the pandemic and still live here. I’ve assimilated but it’s a vacation town. I have made friends and prefer entertaining in my home rather than going out. I have a rescue frenchie who can’t fly in cargo because she is braciopahlic breed and is too big to fit under the seat in front so I am exploring other options to get her to france. Exciting times for me but cautious too. Thank you for listening. Joseph and Gigi.

Wish you all the best. .Even though i think its the worst time ever to choose moving to France when French are all running away to escape the system ,the taxes ,the insecurity for countries in Asia Africa south America or Eastern Europe fearing a revolution or civil war .not mentioning the inflation over the roof but you probably are not aware if your French is not fluent. However Perpignan is a very quiet place. But i think what we call a medical desert in case of emergency you may need to drive .but you are where you are for a reason good luck with your journey I moved all my life .from gabon to france ,from france to uk 🇬🇧 .from uk to to german border, back to uk .then uk to poland ,nd from poland to the gambia .30th of this month it will be 1 year i live here .the goal was to leave europe tthe war the inflation the cold the system and live off grid .

OMG the way the US is turning I wish We could move. We’re in our 70’s and have three dogs. So not a good place to be.

Trump is making my whole family consider moving to Europe. Never thought they also would be in that mindset. This is a weird environment in America.

Merci, Patricia. Great video! I’d be making plans to leave now, but I’m currently living with an elderly parent who has some memory issues. It’s hard to decide if I should make arrangements for alternative living arrangements for her or if I need to stay put. I’m not getting any younger, unfortunately. You truly feel at home when you wake up and realize the homesickness for your previous place has disappeared.

I did. Coming from Ecuador to USA. I was always seen as out side. Not matter what. So I'm looking forward to move back to a lasting American country

In which town was this filmed? Looks like an interesting place to walk.

So true, when you are invited for the Civic rights and responsibilities training at the OFFI, then you know they think you belong here

that was very helpful. and I love that you showed us around! thank you!

La France vous accueille à bras ouverts, vous êtes une fille de France maintenant ❤

Bienvenue !

you have to learn french i hope your are not too isoled and you can find your place good luck