Native Californian here in the Languedoc since 2007. The first day in my little village, I made my first friend. Unpacking, I took some trash to the bin. I am short but a tiny woman who barely came to my shoulder firmly took my arm, started chatting and gave me a tour of the village. I have lived in NYC, the mid-west and traveled to a number of countries. Growing up, I spent a number of summers in Canada. I have never encountered kinder or more genuine people than here. Here, I am home.
I am a French Canadian living in France for the last 4 years (Haute-Savoie). My kids are now 17 and 19 and I also noticed some extra-politeness when I go, for example, pick them up at their friends, they will always thanks the parents for welcomng them and say how much it is appreciated, and I feel that, it is by observing their friends, indeed. This being said, my son told me that when the parents are not there, he is the one who says to his friends : please don't talk about your parents this way, their your parents! In his view, we are much closer and he can say much more things to us and be himself around us.
I guess there are as many great people and jerks both in the US and in France, as in every human group. As a frenchman I can relate to your experience, as I've experienced the other way round. But once you get the modus operandi of each culture, then it's ok. I didn't came up with this metaphor but I believe it's really true : "Americans are like a peach : sweet and friendly on the outside, but you'll have to struggle to get to the core. French are coconuts : hard and not so friendly at first, but once you've passed this shell, you'll be rewarded with sweetness". In some ways, that same statement can apply for many western europeans too. Enjoy your time in France !
For the religious reference, " "your acts come first" Even if we are, aren't religious, that's by our behaviour we show our believing religious or as human.
Let's say that in France we are less extroverted and that remaining somewhat reserved is also part of politeness. I worked with Americans in a major car brand and the "expats" who came from the USA immediately addressed me informally, which I found slightly inappropriate. Yes, we work for the same company, but that's no reason to pat each other on the back and call each other buddy when we first meet. It was both awkward and funny, and I didn't necessarily want to know if my "buddy" was Baptist or Catholic, these things are personal and have no place in work relationships. But overall, nothing is insurmountable with a little goodwill (on the other hand, I then worked for a Japanese brand and the relationships seemed more respectful and therefore more "normal").
Congratulations ! I am French and lived in Burgundy, one day an American family from California came to move in next to our house. It was funny because right away, our new neighbor called us by our first name! But really, we loved this family, kind, optimistic, warm. It's the image I have of the American family
The religious question is much more complex, we became Christians under Roman domination, before which we were pagans. Every French republican revolution or insurrection went hand in hand with anti-clerical repression, not only against Protestants, because religion has always been associated with a tool of submission. And now since the law of 1905, religion has nothing to do with our country, it is just something that concerns your privacy, that does not prevent you from talking about it openly but it is private life
Thank you for sharing! I love History and enjoyed learning History and Geography when in school growing up in France (particularly learning about religions and understanding some of this). I find it fascinating. :)
There are variation in France too - if you find it harder to make friends in South of France, keep in mind it's the same from a Southern French man coming to Lille in the North (there's even a famous movie about it). What's stay true everywhere - there are three circles (not counting family or love interest). "Relations" are the people you know and can have nice little interactions with, even fancy, but things stay very much on the surface. Then you have "copains/copines", people you go to for your leisure, extended relation through a group of friends, people you can also occasionally help and certainly enjoy the company of. You can have serious talk with them or not depending on the relation, but certainly not often. I believe this is close to the standard of "friendship" in many US states. Then you have friends. Friends are very important. It's people you'll be ready to take personal risk to help if they're in trouble, people you deeply care about. You can't become friend easily, it's a form of commitment. It's certainly harder for fully grown up people although by no means impossible. If you don't take years to create a friendship, that friendship is probably not very deep. It's like a couple in many ways. Friends know your demons, you know theirs, you keep each other informed of the things you're going through. Sometimes you have friend that aren't actually as fun to be with than some shallow but hilarious copain. Friends is for the deep stuff first and foremost (although generally those are also people you appreciate going on vacation with).
That's really interesting. I heard about cultural differences from French friends moving to the USA, but hearing basically the same thing from the other side, other perspective, is nice. Wish you a fantastic time in France
Vous avez l´air intéressant, continuez à" grater la surface "... et connaissez vous la Bretagne, la croûte est encore plus dure que dans le sud, mais le cœur est encore plus tendre... Je m´abonne ,merci pour la vidéo.
Merci beaucoup du feed-back! Je dois encore découvrir la Bretagne. Je suis du sud à la base et j’avoue peu connaître la Bretagne entre autres. Merci de vous être abonné!
Ah merci! En fait, je suis française. I'm a Frenchie who just came back to France after 20 years where I lived in the United States. With a name like "Rachele", my "R" better be good. LOL. Thanks for commenting and for subscribing!
It depends on the region, ch’ti people in the north of France are way more open, but it can be sometimes « too much » , and I’m ch’ti ! west coast atlantic from Normandy to La Rochelle is amazing, specially Brittany, Bordeaux starts to be a lil’ bit standoffish, southern people are in general more introvert as northern ones are more open when it comes to meet new people. Now you’re right, the thing in common is: community, that’s strong, and it’s engrained mainly through « associations », many french people are involved in amateur sport clubs in their village, music associations, event organization associations, the local school association that’s what we call « bénévolat associatif », and also social care associations like restos du coeur. I believe it’s the same in the US, but in France it’s really strong. That’s why there’s not so much age barriers.
Merci du partage! Ah je savais pas ça… I didn’t know it was like that with the ch’ti. I need to visit that area. I love the associations and strong communities around associations formed. It’s so refreshing be less community based in the states in comparison.
Just discovered your channel. Firstly, thank you for your kind words towards France, French culture, and French people. Is one of you French? Rachele maybe? Or American And french? Jastin? Your French is stunning!! French people appreciate soooo much when English-speaking natives (notably Americans) make the effort. Best.
Thank you for your kind words. That means so much. I am French (but lived in the USA for twenty years before coming back to France with my husband and kids). My husband is American but of course speaks French. We love living in southern France and it’s so good to be home. Again, thanks for your support.
Hello, I’m franco-American. Living with a French mom in the US was a unique experience as I found Americans very ignorant of other cultures. My dad was in the AF so we traveled & lived in many parts of the world. I now live in France for many years & as you mentioned in your video, the French will not mention their religion as France is a secular country. State & religion are separated. When you get married in France, you go first to the Mairie (Mayor’s office) & have a civil ceremony then if you wish, you have your religious wedding ceremony in church & celebrate the rest of the day/evening as you please
So enjoyed reading what you shared. Sounds like we had a similar upbringing but for myself it was growing up in France with English speaking parents. Very interesting cultural differences indeed. Merci du partage! 😊
I lived the experience the other way around with the kids. I am French, my kids were born and grew up in Charleston, SC. We lived in an older modest and diverse neighborhood where all the kids would play water gun battles in everyone's backyards, run from one house to the other raiding fridges, where they knew they could, not mine because there were no junk food nor sodas! 😂 We had older neighbors who were the neighborhood grand-parents and always had a candy jar ready for the visiting kids. We knew everybody on our street and after hurricanes, a few of the men would go all around the neighborhood with chainsaws cleaning fallen trees for everyone, we would check on the elderly. For the 4th of July or Halloween, there were block parties, shooting fireworks, pool parties etc... It was very different from my experience growing up in Brest, but no less wonderful. 🙂
oh yes we take lunches very seriously. At the workplace, we never work through lunch, eating a sandwich or a salad (unless you need to deliver something asap)... We go to the "cantine" and have a real meal: entrée, plat, dessert! :-)
As a French, I really thank you to hear all the great things you said about us. Your video was very interesting. I’m French, so since it’s in my culture to act that way, I don’t realise if it’s something that can be appreciated by other people or not. It’s true that we can appear standoffish and proud, and that we can hurt people sometimes with our honesty, but it comes from a good place, we are very in tune with our emotions and we don’t like to lie. And when you break this shell, you made a friend for life. We don’t discriminate with ages, the place you came from etc. If we get along, we have the same passion, etc no matter your age or occupation, we can be friend. That is how we work. Welcome in France, you are part of us now 😉.
Merci du partage. J'apprécie beaucoup. À la base, je suis française mais j'étais expatriée aux États-Unis une vingtaine d'années avant de revenir en France avec mon mari et nos deux enfants. Yes. I can see the stand off nature and pride and honesty that us French people can display but it can be a good thing. In California (can't say this is so for all the United States), they can be so fake. They might be approachable and friendly but often it's not genuine. I love that the French can have friends of different ages, occupations, etc. My husband feels like home here and I love being back home. Merci encore de ce partage.
Great video and good observations. I don't know if I agree with you on the religion point... I also live in France and most people believe that there is too much religion in American life. It's not the result of the Huguenots... it's a mix of "laïcisme" and the fact that the French are far less religious as whole. I think talking about might generate interest but it may come across as a bit creepy/cultish/very American (no offense at all to you personally). Culturally I don't consider it something that is normally discussed in France.
Merci du partage! Religion is just a huge part of the American culture, unlike the French culture. It could be a mix of laïcisme or separation of religion and government/school. Thanks for sharing!
Aha, j'ai lâché un commentaire similaire mais je pense que c'est encore plus vieux que la laïcité, en fait, la loi sur la laïcité est dans la continuité des tentatives de concordat de 1801 pour rassembler à nouveau la République et la religion, petit rappel on est 6 ans après la terreur où de lourdes actions anti-clérical ont été perpetrés sans faire allusion aux guerres de vendées, puis autour de 1848 on a commencé a avoir un système hautement socialiste et à développer la pensée anarchiste contre toutes formes de pouvoirs dont le clergé faisait absolument parti, et surtout en réponse à la monarchie de juillet puis 1870 a été le coup de grâce , les insurgés executaient les catholiques avant d'avoir eux-même été exécutés par les Versaillais et alors l'église est vraiment devenue un ennemi de la liberté et de l'auto-détermination des peuples, la loi de 1905 était dans la continuité de ce changement de paradigme où le rejet de l'autorité était devenu une norme, jusqu'à l'arrivée de la terrible premiere guerre mondiale
Tout d’abord grand merci pour votre vidéo. Nous autres Français avons toujours tendance à nous dévaluer et à critiquer notre pays et nos traits de caractère. Ça fait toujours du bien que d’autres citoyens d’autres horizons apprécient ce que nous avons construit au fil des temps. Une des questions qui me taraudent est votre vision de la culture des armes aux États-Unis et en France et plus généralement en Europe. Votre installation en France vous donne-t-elle une autre vision de votre pays sur ce point ? Plein de bonnes choses à vous et merci d’être des ambassadeurs aussi bienveillants.
Votre message me touche beaucoup. Merci du partage. Je suis d’accord que les français ont tendance à critiqué notre magnifique pays. Je peux comprendre sur certains points mais il y a tant de bonnes choses en France. Française, j’étais expatriée aux États-Unis pendant une vingtaine d’années et maintenant revenue en France, j’apprécie d’autant plus ce pays et la culture. Merci de vous être abonné et de vos partages!
- It takes a village to raise a child, we know it and that's why we are still community based ( especially in towns and "little" cities ). - Religion is a personnal subject, wether you are religious or not. In the US "religion" is a "in your face" subject ( especially for "american talibans" who use religion as a political and financial tool ) as evangelical, baptists and various cults like mormons and scientologists are seen here.
Thanks for sharing! It does take a village! (Et on habite un village donc ça tombe bien! 😉) Yes, religions and especially Christianity is more taboo in France (possibly because of the history with the Huguenots) whereas in the States, it’s such a part of your culture. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 😊
The friendship thing is real. My best friends in life are French. Americans are like avocados, soft in the outside and hard in the inside. The French are like eggs. Once you’ve cracked the shell, is all love.
Vidéo très intéressante, merci. Avoir un œil extérieur sur comment nous, Français sommes perçus nous permet aussi de mettre de l'eau dans notre vin. Merci!
What a breath of multi cultural and generational fresh air coming across your site has been! Having been born and first years lived in Europe and then transplanted and growing up in Southern California with very strong European guidances in the mid to late 50's on... each of your points were understood and checked off... all the way to the sad points of not being able to find help.... except by the elderly... who still hold onto an honor and respect system. What's is even sadder is the generational gap whereby they have become the new social outcast, too often reviewed as some sort of twisted old refuse. I wish people would stop embracing the commercial medias influences of many of these unkind and should be unacceptable learned behaviors and instead begin to teach and influence people with taking pride in honor and respect again. Thank you for sharing the truths of these virtues… and may they strengthen your ways… each and every day!
Bonjour Rachele, vos remarques sont intéressantes et finalement disent beaucoup d’un pays et de sa population. Une communauté idéalement solidaire et bienveillante avec ses voisins, ses amis, sa famille. La révolution de 1789 a laissé des traces en France. Celle d’un régime révolutionnaire qui a osé couper la tête d’un roi et de sa reine. Lorsque le règne de la terreur arrive en septembre 1793, les prêtres catholiques refusant de prêter serment à la nouvelle constitution civile du clergé seront pourchassés et même exterminés .La loi de séparation de l’église et de l’état en 1905 portera un autre coup à la religion catholique ultra majoritaire en France. On pourrait remonter au massacre de la Saint Barthélémy en août 1572 qui signa l’heure de l’exil pour les protestants de France. A travers ces faits historiques tragiques, on comprend mieux pourquoi les Français sont attachés à la Laïcité et ne mettent pas en avant leur foi, leur religion. C’est une neutralité qui permet que toutes les communautés puissent cohabiter ensemble. Ici en Bretagne les gens sont rudes avec un grand cœur comme les gens du Nord. Nous sommes fiers de nos racines Celtes. Ce sont des ermites, des moines venus d’Irlande et du Pays de Galles qui ont faits la Bretagne catholique. Dans chaque village, chaque ville traversée, nos églises sont un témoignage de la puissance de la religion catholique dans les siècles passés. Have a good day Rachele
La france a une version différente de la laïcité. Ici, la religion relève du domaine privé, car nous avons conscience qu'elle est une menace pour l'État, pour la démocratie, et pour nos libertés lorsqu'elle se lance dans l'arène politique. Nous considérons que la religion doit sans cesse être repoussée dans le domaine privé. J'ai grandi en France avec le catéchisme, mais je suis athée et anticlérical (donc tres anti religion). Peut être que je me trompe, mais regardez l'histoire autour de la loi 1905 sur la séparation de l'église et de l'État. On a expulsé les religieux qui ne voulaient pas se soumettre à L'État. Régulièrement, des religieux disent publiquement que les lois de dieu sont au dessus des lois de la République ce qui fait scandale.
Merci du partage! Oui en effet. Je suis moi aussi passionnée par l'Histoire et surtout quand j'étais à l'école en France et de mes souvenirs des années au collège et au lycée, ça m'intéresserait particulièrement. Avec l'Histoire des Huguenots, ils voulaient étudier la Bible et louer Dieu librement sans être dans une église ou lier à l'état. Mais après oui ça a pu faire scandale quant au lois de la République...
I think also that talking about God, as Christians, like you described, is perhaps typically American. In Canada, or at leastin Québec, it is very rarely a topic, except perhaps with the generation of my grand-parents (I am 50, my grandmother is still alive). My grand-parents would go to church every sunday and if you ask my grand-mother the highlight of her life, it is probably when she visited the Vatican (French-Canadian are typically catholics because of the French heritage) . Starting from my parents generation: they were married in a church, and us, children, were baptised, but if you ask my parents, it was to please their parents...and my generation, and this is very quebecois, almost never get married and if they do, it is quite often outside of church. I would say that as in France, talking about God is perceived as something very personal. I would say that here, in Haute-Savoie, catholicism is a lot more present than in Québec, not that there are more churches, we have quite a lot to, but a lot of religious symbols everywhere. Quite ironically, as an immigrant, I had to attend classes about "valeur républicaine" where there was a big focus on "laïcité" and it's importance in France... and it was in a covent! There was a sculpture of Virgin Mary in the very room we were thought over and over about secularism by a government employee.
As to religion and the fact few people talk about it, you may go back to the Wars of Religion of the 15th and 16th century to explain it... but as a French resident, I wouldn't go back that far! There is a much easier explanation: around 70% of France's population is either atheist or agnostic, or just couldn't careless about religion. BTW, if at all, I believe that 70% figure is even higher in Southern France where you live than in other regions... but I haven't found any regional data to back me up on that. Now that I think of it, it is true that we never ever talk of religion with people outside a closest circle of friends and family. Having lived some 6 years in the US of A, where you are immediately asked, when you move in, to which Church you go to, the difference is indeed startling. BTW, it is the same thing with money. It is considered very badly to mention what you are earning... with one exception though: if it is too little!
Merci du partage! I appreciate you sharing. So interesting! :) Yes, indeed religion and where you go to Church is a more open topic in the United States as it's so much part of the culture. I've noticed that with money as well. Quite different than the U.S. indeed.
Je comprends tres bien l Anglais pourtant Je n ai rien compris a cette video …! Ou êtes vous ? En France ou en Amérique ? Vous parlez en anglais le sous titrage est en anglais …pour dire quoi exactement …??? ce que j aimerais dire bien que hors sujet c est que les Français savent tres bien que ce ne sont pas les américains qui ont libérés la France et l Europe …
On parle des différences culturelles. Je suis française et j’étais expatriée une vingtaine d’années aux USA avant de revenir en France. Mon mari est américain. On est en France et on souligne d’importantes différences culturelles entre les deux pays. Merci du commentaire. Hors sujet, certes mais pertinent. 😊
Well, knowing both culture, i don't see so much differences, maybe in the US you are more showing beleives, in France we talk about faith which its personal, i don't openly speak about my faith even with my best friends, familly, it's a deep personal relationship with Jesus as i don't beleive, i know and look for him everyday. but its not a problem with pals talking about it, its just deferent way to live his own faith !
I like your perspective on this. I grew up with both cultures and can see how that can be accurate. And I'm with you on having a deep personal relationship with Jesus. :) Merci du partage!
chez Paul? Vous êtes facilement contentables! 😁 Oui, nous ne sommes pas des sauvages, nous ne sommes pas le pays de la bouffe pour rien et dés la petite enfance le moment du repas est sacré 😂
Chez Paul, c’est pratique. On est d’accord c’est pas de la gastronomie mais ça dépanne bien quand on a un petit creu et que c’est la course. Oui le repas est sacré. Ayant grandi en France, ça m’a fait un choque culturel quand je suis partie aux USA (pendant 20 ans) et que ce n’était pas le cas là-bas. 😜
We don't speak about religion because 80% of french People don't trust in à god. And religion, earnings et some others subjets are part of private personnal life et even unpolite ie: don't ask to someone "how do you earn?". But we love to discuss and argue about the weather (!) , politic, sport, littérature, movies and exchange cooking recipe (important!).... few trick easy to learn and you quickly feel at home in our country, and especially in my town, Paris 😊.
Thanks for sharing! I’m originally from France, so it feels good to be back home. But because I lived in the United States for 20 years, I need to get used to some of the cultural differences just like I had to get used to cultural differences when I first moved to the United States. I appreciate you sharing! Merci du partage !
so many stereotypes, this is weird. you are not comparing south of France to your country, your reference here is only the small area you live in. Good for you but you cannot generalize
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My country (as in where I grew up) is France. My husband grew up partly in Alaska and partly in California. We both have lived in different parts of the United States but have lived together many years (17) in California. Indeed, we are comparing OUR experience living in Southern California to now living in Southern France (where I was from originally). :)
Religion is and should stay a personal belief it only concerns you and your god, you don't have to bother anyone else with it, it is how I see it as French, and many others do as well, you are free to believe in whatever you want ( and discuss about it in your close circle ) but not free to impose it to other, oh and Blasphemy is a right too, thanks god 😂.
The US is a country of individualism. Where everything resolve around "me". There is a dream of community, but it is in words only, it's "chacun pour soi". Hence, I don't have time for you. France is a country of community, where everything resolves around the well being of society. It is real and palpable. If the US was a real community, the Affordable Health Care would be a Federal reality by now.
Thanks for sharing! Yes I agree 💯%! I believe in the States they want to be more community but it’s just not part of the culture as a whole. I have found that when Americans come to France and truly experience the community based culture, they realize what it is and how it is lacking back in the United States. I appreciate you sharing.
When French and other people say they are Christian they are inclusive, I imagine when you say "Christian" you are excluding all Christians except those who belong to fundamentalist or Baptist branches of Christianity. Europeans are utterly clueless about this peculiar misappropriation of the word in the United States. So of course they agree with you. They think you are including them! But they are probably Catholic. The Huguenots were Christians, but were protesting against the Catholic church. They were Protestant Christians who were persecuted by Catholic Christians. It is definitely different in France. But they are correct in their definition of what makes someone Christian. It's anyone who believes in Christ.
Yes. Absolutely. The Christian circle is a wide range of denominations. I’m passionate about the story of the Huguenots and where I grew up in Southern France, there are many museums and « remains » of the story of the Huguenots. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting! Majority of french are agnostic. Religion is not as important as in Usa. Also it is a personal matter as state is officially secular. Chez Paul is not good food in french opinion. It's convenient but certainly not the best... I always prefer to eat somewhere else, in a real boulangerie for instance...where breads are not frozen. Because good food is very important of course, your body is made by the things you eat. Eating is a pleasure 😊
Merci du partage! True. Nowadays, I find more agnostics in France than in my years growing up in this lovely country (before moving the United States and then back again to France). I agree and have seen how religion and money is more of a private matter. Chez Paul is super convenient when you're on the go. We have a great boulangerie in our village as well as some great restaurants when we're not on the go. ;) Thanks again for sharing!
Eating together with such low minimum wages The lack of living wages forces double, triple employment That families can't eat together No family leaves for those crucial first neural development and stimulation So important for healthy individuals Only 2 week holiday No subsidized Pre-K and killer higher education fee$ It's not just the economy stupid and no Rich people and corporation do not need a tax break Does not change the economy (it reduces competition, stock buy back just inject more money to the fiscal paradises) France/Europe has lives very, very bad religious wars America, is just getting into one (Now that trumpism is a Religion) The FBI (Hoover) Election integrity, Inflation, social division (Civil war) Cancel culture (Slavery, segregation) Have been SO MUCH WORSE in the past But some guru has managed to convince Americans of the contrary And, in the process WILL make America so much worse ! ! ? Wishing us Good luck
it's great that your children's friends are very polite, but on average politeness is not what it used to be in France. As for faith, true it is the number one subject. I would even say that I'm not surprised that people are interested by your faith, because a majority of French know nothing about religion, even what is supposed to be their own when they say they have on. If you take the main religion, catholicism, only a few percents go to church weekly and among the rest, catholicism is more about culture and identity than faith and what Christ/Church teaches you. But you joing a religious community, faith will be a common topic to talk about.
Merci du partage! I agree kids aren’t as polite as when I grew up in France. It has changed. And yes the French don’t know much about religion and sometimes not even the history and progression of history in France. Thanks for sharing!
"A majority of French know nothing about religion" Well, they do learn a little bit of it during history classes. Oh hey Crusades and St Barthelemy, how are you doing? Is that....blood in la Seine i see? Wow. Not like french people don't have to completely ignore religion. Spirituality is a nice thing....when it doesn't involve purging whole tribes, communities and the such to appease some mystical entity/political guru. Hence the reason why most french don't really bother with "their" religion and church. Who would need the approval of a god to NOT stab their neighbors?
En France la religion n'a AUCUN DROIT. Chacun chez soi : l'église d'un coté et la vie civile de l'autre." Les "god bless you" et les "god bless america" ça n'est pas pour nous.
Et oui je sais bien, j’ai grandi en France. Après une expatriation aux USA pendant 20 ans, on s’habitue aux « God bless you » et encore plus quand c’est comme ça que l’on dit « A tes souhaits » en plus. :)
Not saying USA is the greatest or anything, but pretty sure when a country's influence basically brings a Mc Donalds everywhere, it no longer belongs to the "3rd world country". And France being one of the de facto leaders of Europe allows it to escape the "2nd world" (wtf is that even) category you want to place it in. I'm curious about your nationality. You must belong to a nice little rainbow sunshine imaginary place.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing! I was born and raised in France by an American-Italian father and British mother. I grew up with a mix of cultures and languages which I’m passionate about. I moved to the States where I lived for quite some time before returning back to southern France. 😃
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More than half of the population in France has no religion so they do not believe in God
Native Californian here in the Languedoc since 2007. The first day in my little village, I made my first friend. Unpacking, I took some trash to the bin. I am short but a tiny woman who barely came to my shoulder firmly took my arm, started chatting and gave me a tour of the village.
I have lived in NYC, the mid-west and traveled to a number of countries. Growing up, I spent a number of summers in Canada. I have never encountered kinder or more genuine people than here. Here, I am home.
Thanks for sharing your story. What a lovely first friend. Love the community spirit in French villages. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Merci!
I am a French Canadian living in France for the last 4 years (Haute-Savoie). My kids are now 17 and 19 and I also noticed some extra-politeness when I go, for example, pick them up at their friends, they will always thanks the parents for welcomng them and say how much it is appreciated, and I feel that, it is by observing their friends, indeed. This being said, my son told me that when the parents are not there, he is the one who says to his friends : please don't talk about your parents this way, their your parents! In his view, we are much closer and he can say much more things to us and be himself around us.
Thanks for sharing your experience and story. Very interesting on kids and teens! ☺️
I guess there are as many great people and jerks both in the US and in France, as in every human group.
As a frenchman I can relate to your experience, as I've experienced the other way round. But once you get the modus operandi of each culture, then it's ok. I didn't came up with this metaphor but I believe it's really true : "Americans are like a peach : sweet and friendly on the outside, but you'll have to struggle to get to the core. French are coconuts : hard and not so friendly at first, but once you've passed this shell, you'll be rewarded with sweetness". In some ways, that same statement can apply for many western europeans too. Enjoy your time in France !
Merci du partage. Je suis française et je valide! 😜 I find a lot of truth in your statement. Thanks for sharing!
For the religious reference, " "your acts come first" Even if we are, aren't religious, that's by our behaviour we show our believing religious or as human.
Interesting.
So glad this popped up on my feed as I am starting the planning to move to Southern France next year (just retired!) Thank you!
Awww. Awesome! 🙌 Yay! You’ll love it here. Such the life! Welcome! 🤗
Let's say that in France we are less extroverted and that remaining somewhat reserved is also part of politeness. I worked with Americans in a major car brand and the "expats" who came from the USA immediately addressed me informally, which I found slightly inappropriate. Yes, we work for the same company, but that's no reason to pat each other on the back and call each other buddy when we first meet. It was both awkward and funny, and I didn't necessarily want to know if my "buddy" was Baptist or Catholic, these things are personal and have no place in work relationships. But overall, nothing is insurmountable with a little goodwill (on the other hand, I then worked for a Japanese brand and the relationships seemed more respectful and therefore more "normal").
Merci du partage! I could see that… Cultural differences are so interesting! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Congratulations !
I am French and lived in Burgundy, one day an American family from California came to move in next to our house. It was funny because right away, our new neighbor called us by our first name! But really, we loved this family, kind, optimistic, warm. It's the image I have of the American family
Thank you! 🙏 Oh how funny and interesting. Merci du message! 😊
@@RacheleDeMeo Thank you very much also, I discovered your video and it is very interesting. In general in France we like Americans people
Merci, merci! 🙏 Yes! That’s good for my husband who is American! 😜
The religious question is much more complex, we became Christians under Roman domination, before which we were pagans.
Every French republican revolution or insurrection went hand in hand with anti-clerical repression, not only against Protestants, because religion has always been associated with a tool of submission.
And now since the law of 1905, religion has nothing to do with our country, it is just something that concerns your privacy, that does not prevent you from talking about it openly but it is private life
Thank you for sharing! I love History and enjoyed learning History and Geography when in school growing up in France (particularly learning about religions and understanding some of this). I find it fascinating. :)
In France, religion is a private thing.
Yes it has become so. :)
There are variation in France too - if you find it harder to make friends in South of France, keep in mind it's the same from a Southern French man coming to Lille in the North (there's even a famous movie about it). What's stay true everywhere - there are three circles (not counting family or love interest). "Relations" are the people you know and can have nice little interactions with, even fancy, but things stay very much on the surface. Then you have "copains/copines", people you go to for your leisure, extended relation through a group of friends, people you can also occasionally help and certainly enjoy the company of. You can have serious talk with them or not depending on the relation, but certainly not often. I believe this is close to the standard of "friendship" in many US states. Then you have friends. Friends are very important. It's people you'll be ready to take personal risk to help if they're in trouble, people you deeply care about. You can't become friend easily, it's a form of commitment. It's certainly harder for fully grown up people although by no means impossible. If you don't take years to create a friendship, that friendship is probably not very deep. It's like a couple in many ways. Friends know your demons, you know theirs, you keep each other informed of the things you're going through. Sometimes you have friend that aren't actually as fun to be with than some shallow but hilarious copain. Friends is for the deep stuff first and foremost (although generally those are also people you appreciate going on vacation with).
Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading what you had to say!
I agree with all you say. I love the politeness you find in children from the Nimes area. A fascinating presentation from you both. Thank you.
Thank you Norman! :) I really appreciate the kind words!
Very interesting ! Thank you and welcome to France !
That's really interesting. I heard about cultural differences from French friends moving to the USA, but hearing basically the same thing from the other side, other perspective, is nice.
Wish you a fantastic time in France
Thank you for your feedback. 🙌
Vous avez l´air intéressant, continuez à" grater la surface "... et connaissez vous la Bretagne, la croûte est encore plus dure que dans le sud, mais le cœur est encore plus tendre...
Je m´abonne ,merci pour la vidéo.
Merci beaucoup du feed-back! Je dois encore découvrir la Bretagne. Je suis du sud à la base et j’avoue peu connaître la Bretagne entre autres. Merci de vous être abonné!
First time bumping into your channel and I have to say your French accent seems extremely good! You have mastered the “r”!
Ah merci! En fait, je suis française. I'm a Frenchie who just came back to France after 20 years where I lived in the United States. With a name like "Rachele", my "R" better be good. LOL. Thanks for commenting and for subscribing!
Good work guys !!! tres beau travail
Thank you! C’est très gentil! Merci! 🙏
It depends on the region, ch’ti people in the north of France are way more open, but it can be sometimes « too much » , and I’m ch’ti ! west coast atlantic from Normandy to La Rochelle is amazing, specially Brittany, Bordeaux starts to be a lil’ bit standoffish, southern people are in general more introvert as northern ones are more open when it comes to meet new people.
Now you’re right, the thing in common is: community, that’s strong, and it’s engrained mainly through « associations », many french people are involved in amateur sport clubs in their village, music associations, event organization associations, the local school association that’s what we call « bénévolat associatif », and also social care associations like restos du coeur. I believe it’s the same in the US, but in France it’s really strong. That’s why there’s not so much age barriers.
Merci du partage! Ah je savais pas ça… I didn’t know it was like that with the ch’ti. I need to visit that area.
I love the associations and strong communities around associations formed. It’s so refreshing be less community based in the states in comparison.
In the past I've lived in Bordeaux for almost ten years. I was happy to leave; this is the most standoffish population I ever came across.
Just discovered your channel. Firstly, thank you for your kind words towards France, French culture, and French people. Is one of you French? Rachele maybe? Or American And french? Jastin? Your French is stunning!! French people appreciate soooo much when English-speaking natives (notably Americans) make the effort. Best.
Thank you for your kind words. That means so much. I am French (but lived in the USA for twenty years before coming back to France with my husband and kids). My husband is American but of course speaks French. We love living in southern France and it’s so good to be home. Again, thanks for your support.
Hello, I’m franco-American. Living with a French mom in the US was a unique experience as I found Americans very ignorant of other cultures. My dad was in the AF so we traveled & lived in many parts of the world. I now live in France for many years & as you mentioned in your video, the French will not mention their religion as France is a secular country. State & religion are separated. When you get married in France, you go first to the Mairie (Mayor’s office) & have a civil ceremony then if you wish, you have your religious wedding ceremony in church & celebrate the rest of the day/evening as you please
So enjoyed reading what you shared. Sounds like we had a similar upbringing but for myself it was growing up in France with English speaking parents. Very interesting cultural differences indeed. Merci du partage! 😊
I lived the experience the other way around with the kids. I am French, my kids were born and grew up in Charleston, SC. We lived in an older modest and diverse neighborhood where all the kids would play water gun battles in everyone's backyards, run from one house to the other raiding fridges, where they knew they could, not mine because there were no junk food nor sodas! 😂 We had older neighbors who were the neighborhood grand-parents and always had a candy jar ready for the visiting kids. We knew everybody on our street and after hurricanes, a few of the men would go all around the neighborhood with chainsaws cleaning fallen trees for everyone, we would check on the elderly. For the 4th of July or Halloween, there were block parties, shooting fireworks, pool parties etc... It was very different from my experience growing up in Brest, but no less wonderful. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds like a wonderful childhood for your kids! Love it. I’ve heard wonderful things about SC. 😃
oh yes we take lunches very seriously. At the workplace, we never work through lunch, eating a sandwich or a salad (unless you need to deliver something asap)... We go to the "cantine" and have a real meal: entrée, plat, dessert! :-)
Love it! It’s good to be back home. I love all of it. 😀
As a French, I really thank you to hear all the great things you said about us. Your video was very interesting. I’m French, so since it’s in my culture to act that way, I don’t realise if it’s something that can be appreciated by other people or not. It’s true that we can appear standoffish and proud, and that we can hurt people sometimes with our honesty, but it comes from a good place, we are very in tune with our emotions and we don’t like to lie. And when you break this shell, you made a friend for life. We don’t discriminate with ages, the place you came from etc. If we get along, we have the same passion, etc no matter your age or occupation, we can be friend. That is how we work. Welcome in France, you are part of us now 😉.
Merci du partage. J'apprécie beaucoup. À la base, je suis française mais j'étais expatriée aux États-Unis une vingtaine d'années avant de revenir en France avec mon mari et nos deux enfants.
Yes. I can see the stand off nature and pride and honesty that us French people can display but it can be a good thing. In California (can't say this is so for all the United States), they can be so fake. They might be approachable and friendly but often it's not genuine.
I love that the French can have friends of different ages, occupations, etc. My husband feels like home here and I love being back home. Merci encore de ce partage.
Great video and good observations. I don't know if I agree with you on the religion point... I also live in France and most people believe that there is too much religion in American life. It's not the result of the Huguenots... it's a mix of "laïcisme" and the fact that the French are far less religious as whole. I think talking about might generate interest but it may come across as a bit creepy/cultish/very American (no offense at all to you personally). Culturally I don't consider it something that is normally discussed in France.
Merci du partage! Religion is just a huge part of the American culture, unlike the French culture. It could be a mix of laïcisme or separation of religion and government/school. Thanks for sharing!
Aha, j'ai lâché un commentaire similaire mais je pense que c'est encore plus vieux que la laïcité, en fait, la loi sur la laïcité est dans la continuité des tentatives de concordat de 1801 pour rassembler à nouveau la République et la religion, petit rappel on est 6 ans après la terreur où de lourdes actions anti-clérical ont été perpetrés sans faire allusion aux guerres de vendées, puis autour de 1848 on a commencé a avoir un système hautement socialiste et à développer la pensée anarchiste contre toutes formes de pouvoirs dont le clergé faisait absolument parti, et surtout en réponse à la monarchie de juillet puis 1870 a été le coup de grâce , les insurgés executaient les catholiques avant d'avoir eux-même été exécutés par les Versaillais et alors l'église est vraiment devenue un ennemi de la liberté et de l'auto-détermination des peuples, la loi de 1905 était dans la continuité de ce changement de paradigme où le rejet de l'autorité était devenu une norme, jusqu'à l'arrivée de la terrible premiere guerre mondiale
Merci du partage!
Kids behavior is at least 50 % parents education, 20% school environment and 30% the friends he choose.
Well said! 🙌
Tout d’abord grand merci pour votre vidéo. Nous autres Français avons toujours tendance à nous dévaluer et à critiquer notre pays et nos traits de caractère.
Ça fait toujours du bien que d’autres citoyens d’autres horizons apprécient ce que nous avons construit au fil des temps.
Une des questions qui me taraudent est votre vision de la culture des armes aux États-Unis et en France et plus généralement en Europe.
Votre installation en France vous donne-t-elle une autre vision de votre pays sur ce point ?
Plein de bonnes choses à vous et merci d’être des ambassadeurs aussi bienveillants.
Votre message me touche beaucoup. Merci du partage. Je suis d’accord que les français ont tendance à critiqué notre magnifique pays. Je peux comprendre sur certains points mais il y a tant de bonnes choses en France. Française, j’étais expatriée aux États-Unis pendant une vingtaine d’années et maintenant revenue en France, j’apprécie d’autant plus ce pays et la culture. Merci de vous être abonné et de vos partages!
- It takes a village to raise a child, we know it and that's why we are still community based ( especially in towns and "little" cities ).
- Religion is a personnal subject, wether you are religious or not. In the US "religion" is a "in your face" subject ( especially for "american talibans" who use religion as a political and financial tool ) as evangelical, baptists and various cults like mormons and scientologists are seen here.
Thanks for sharing! It does take a village! (Et on habite un village donc ça tombe bien! 😉)
Yes, religions and especially Christianity is more taboo in France (possibly because of the history with the Huguenots) whereas in the States, it’s such a part of your culture.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 😊
@@RacheleDeMeo in the south, it's earlier than the Religion wars. There was the crusades before, against the Cathares. It's a very long History.
The friendship thing is real. My best friends in life are French. Americans are like avocados, soft in the outside and hard in the inside. The French are like eggs. Once you’ve cracked the shell, is all love.
I agree. I like the analogy. I can see that. Thanks for sharing!
Vidéo très intéressante, merci.
Avoir un œil extérieur sur comment nous, Français sommes perçus nous permet aussi de mettre de l'eau dans notre vin.
Merci!
Merci beaucoup pour vos retours. Je suis française aussi. :) Merci de suivre la chaine. 🙏
What a breath of multi cultural and generational fresh air coming across your site has been! Having been born and first years lived in Europe and then transplanted and growing up in Southern California with very strong European guidances in the mid to late 50's on... each of your points were understood and checked off... all the way to the sad points of not being able to find help.... except by the elderly... who still hold onto an honor and respect system. What's is even sadder is the generational gap whereby they have become the new social outcast, too often reviewed as some sort of twisted old refuse.
I wish people would stop embracing the commercial medias influences of many of these unkind and should be unacceptable
learned behaviors and instead begin to teach and influence people with taking pride in honor and respect again.
Thank you for sharing the truths of these virtues…
and may they strengthen your ways… each and every day!
Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it. I enjoyed reading everything you shared. So interesting. Thanks for sharing! 🙌❤️
Like NYC, thankfully
Thanks for sharing! 🙌
Bonjour Rachele, vos remarques sont intéressantes et finalement disent beaucoup d’un pays et de sa population. Une communauté idéalement solidaire et bienveillante avec ses voisins, ses amis, sa famille.
La révolution de 1789 a laissé des traces en France. Celle d’un régime révolutionnaire qui a osé couper la tête d’un roi et de sa reine. Lorsque le règne de la terreur arrive en septembre 1793, les prêtres catholiques refusant de prêter serment à la nouvelle constitution civile du clergé seront pourchassés et même exterminés .La loi de séparation de l’église et de l’état en 1905 portera un autre coup à la religion catholique ultra majoritaire en France. On pourrait remonter au massacre de la Saint Barthélémy en août 1572 qui signa l’heure de l’exil pour les protestants de France. A travers ces faits historiques tragiques, on comprend mieux pourquoi les Français sont attachés à la Laïcité et ne mettent pas en avant leur foi, leur religion. C’est une neutralité qui permet que toutes les communautés puissent cohabiter ensemble.
Ici en Bretagne les gens sont rudes avec un grand cœur comme les gens du Nord. Nous sommes fiers de nos racines Celtes. Ce sont des ermites, des moines venus d’Irlande et du Pays de Galles qui ont faits la Bretagne catholique. Dans chaque village, chaque ville traversée, nos églises sont un témoignage de la puissance de la religion catholique dans les siècles passés.
Have a good day Rachele
Merci beaucoup du partage! C'était très intéressant à lire. J'aime beaucoup l'Histoire moi aussi. Thank you for sharing! :)
La france a une version différente de la laïcité. Ici, la religion relève du domaine privé, car nous avons conscience qu'elle est une menace pour l'État, pour la démocratie, et pour nos libertés lorsqu'elle se lance dans l'arène politique. Nous considérons que la religion doit sans cesse être repoussée dans le domaine privé. J'ai grandi en France avec le catéchisme, mais je suis athée et anticlérical (donc tres anti religion). Peut être que je me trompe, mais regardez l'histoire autour de la loi 1905 sur la séparation de l'église et de l'État. On a expulsé les religieux qui ne voulaient pas se soumettre à L'État. Régulièrement, des religieux disent publiquement que les lois de dieu sont au dessus des lois de la République ce qui fait scandale.
Merci du partage! Oui en effet. Je suis moi aussi passionnée par l'Histoire et surtout quand j'étais à l'école en France et de mes souvenirs des années au collège et au lycée, ça m'intéresserait particulièrement. Avec l'Histoire des Huguenots, ils voulaient étudier la Bible et louer Dieu librement sans être dans une église ou lier à l'état. Mais après oui ça a pu faire scandale quant au lois de la République...
I think also that talking about God, as Christians, like you described, is perhaps typically American. In Canada, or at leastin Québec, it is very rarely a topic, except perhaps with the generation of my grand-parents (I am 50, my grandmother is still alive). My grand-parents would go to church every sunday and if you ask my grand-mother the highlight of her life, it is probably when she visited the Vatican (French-Canadian are typically catholics because of the French heritage) . Starting from my parents generation: they were married in a church, and us, children, were baptised, but if you ask my parents, it was to please their parents...and my generation, and this is very quebecois, almost never get married and if they do, it is quite often outside of church. I would say that as in France, talking about God is perceived as something very personal. I would say that here, in Haute-Savoie, catholicism is a lot more present than in Québec, not that there are more churches, we have quite a lot to, but a lot of religious symbols everywhere. Quite ironically, as an immigrant, I had to attend classes about "valeur républicaine" where there was a big focus on "laïcité" and it's importance in France... and it was in a covent! There was a sculpture of Virgin Mary in the very room we were thought over and over about secularism by a government employee.
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate hearing about your story and life experiences. Quite interesting... Merci du partage!
As to religion and the fact few people talk about it, you may go back to the Wars of Religion of the 15th and 16th century to explain it... but as a French resident, I wouldn't go back that far! There is a much easier explanation: around 70% of France's population is either atheist or agnostic, or just couldn't careless about religion. BTW, if at all, I believe that 70% figure is even higher in Southern France where you live than in other regions... but I haven't found any regional data to back me up on that.
Now that I think of it, it is true that we never ever talk of religion with people outside a closest circle of friends and family.
Having lived some 6 years in the US of A, where you are immediately asked, when you move in, to which Church you go to, the difference is indeed startling.
BTW, it is the same thing with money. It is considered very badly to mention what you are earning... with one exception though: if it is too little!
Merci du partage! I appreciate you sharing. So interesting! :) Yes, indeed religion and where you go to Church is a more open topic in the United States as it's so much part of the culture. I've noticed that with money as well. Quite different than the U.S. indeed.
Je comprends tres bien l Anglais pourtant Je n ai rien compris a cette video …! Ou êtes vous ? En France ou en Amérique ? Vous parlez en anglais le sous titrage est en anglais …pour dire quoi exactement …???
ce que j aimerais dire bien que hors sujet c est que les Français savent tres bien que ce ne sont pas les américains qui ont libérés la France et l Europe …
On parle des différences culturelles. Je suis française et j’étais expatriée une vingtaine d’années aux USA avant de revenir en France. Mon mari est américain. On est en France et on souligne d’importantes différences culturelles entre les deux pays. Merci du commentaire. Hors sujet, certes mais pertinent. 😊
Why the subtitles - so annoying 🫣😠
Thanks for sharing. Others asked for subtitles on our videos. Can’t please everyone I guess? 😆
Eating in your car while driving is forbidden 🤷🏼♀️
It probably is! 😜
vous... déjeuniez dans vos voiture en Californie ?... Pourquoi ? ....
Parce que tout le monde est toujours pressé, lol. Aux États-Unis, ils prennent pas le temps de manger.
Well, knowing both culture, i don't see so much differences, maybe in the US you are more showing beleives, in France we talk about faith which its personal, i don't openly speak about my faith even with my best friends, familly, it's a deep personal relationship with Jesus as i don't beleive, i know and look for him everyday. but its not a problem with pals talking about it, its just deferent way to live his own faith !
I like your perspective on this. I grew up with both cultures and can see how that can be accurate. And I'm with you on having a deep personal relationship with Jesus. :) Merci du partage!
chez Paul? Vous êtes facilement contentables! 😁 Oui, nous ne sommes pas des sauvages, nous ne sommes pas le pays de la bouffe pour rien et dés la petite enfance le moment du repas est sacré 😂
Chez Paul, c’est pratique. On est d’accord c’est pas de la gastronomie mais ça dépanne bien quand on a un petit creu et que c’est la course. Oui le repas est sacré. Ayant grandi en France, ça m’a fait un choque culturel quand je suis partie aux USA (pendant 20 ans) et que ce n’était pas le cas là-bas. 😜
@@RacheleDeMeo je me disais aussi que vous n'avez pas d'accent quand des mots français vous échappent!😉
😉
We don't speak about religion because 80% of french People don't trust in à god. And religion, earnings et some others subjets are part of private personnal life et even unpolite ie: don't ask to someone "how do you earn?". But we love to discuss and argue about the weather (!) , politic, sport, littérature, movies and exchange cooking recipe (important!).... few trick easy to learn and you quickly feel at home in our country, and especially in my town, Paris 😊.
Thanks for sharing! I’m originally from France, so it feels good to be back home. But because I lived in the United States for 20 years, I need to get used to some of the cultural differences just like I had to get used to cultural differences when I first moved to the United States. I appreciate you sharing! Merci du partage !
so many stereotypes, this is weird.
you are not comparing south of France to your country, your reference here is only the small area you live in.
Good for you but you cannot generalize
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My country (as in where I grew up) is France. My husband grew up partly in Alaska and partly in California. We both have lived in different parts of the United States but have lived together many years (17) in California. Indeed, we are comparing OUR experience living in Southern California to now living in Southern France (where I was from originally). :)
Religion is and should stay a personal belief it only concerns you and your god, you don't have to bother anyone else with it, it is how I see it as French, and many others do as well, you are free to believe in whatever you want ( and discuss about it in your close circle ) but not free to impose it to other, oh and Blasphemy is a right too, thanks god 😂.
Thanks for sharing. :)
welcome in France 😘
Merci 🙏
The US is a country of individualism. Where everything resolve around "me". There is a dream of community, but it is in words only, it's "chacun pour soi". Hence, I don't have time for you.
France is a country of community, where everything resolves around the well being of society. It is real and palpable.
If the US was a real community, the Affordable Health Care would be a Federal reality by now.
Thanks for sharing! Yes I agree 💯%! I believe in the States they want to be more community but it’s just not part of the culture as a whole. I have found that when Americans come to France and truly experience the community based culture, they realize what it is and how it is lacking back in the United States. I appreciate you sharing.
"Chez Paul" ? very good ? try "Eric Kaiser" , is far better ! lol 😁
Agreed! 🙌 Chez Paul is convenient since there are so many… But it’s not fine cuisine for sure. 😜
When French and other people say they are Christian they are inclusive, I imagine when you say "Christian" you are excluding all Christians except those who belong to fundamentalist or Baptist branches of Christianity. Europeans are utterly clueless about this peculiar misappropriation of the word in the United States. So of course they agree with you. They think you are including them! But they are probably Catholic. The Huguenots were Christians, but were protesting against the Catholic church. They were Protestant Christians who were persecuted by Catholic Christians. It is definitely different in France. But they are correct in their definition of what makes someone Christian. It's anyone who believes in Christ.
Yes. Absolutely. The Christian circle is a wide range of denominations. I’m passionate about the story of the Huguenots and where I grew up in Southern France, there are many museums and « remains » of the story of the Huguenots. Thanks for sharing!
après 30 d'échange avec les lycéens américains ,je vous confirme que globalement les parents francais les trouvent mal élevés et peu reconnaissants.
Oui je suis du même avis. Et merci du partage! :)
Interesting! Majority of french are agnostic. Religion is not as important as in Usa. Also it is a personal matter as state is officially secular.
Chez Paul is not good food in french opinion. It's convenient but certainly not the best... I always prefer to eat somewhere else, in a real boulangerie for instance...where breads are not frozen. Because good food is very important of course, your body is made by the things you eat. Eating is a pleasure 😊
Merci du partage! True. Nowadays, I find more agnostics in France than in my years growing up in this lovely country (before moving the United States and then back again to France). I agree and have seen how religion and money is more of a private matter.
Chez Paul is super convenient when you're on the go. We have a great boulangerie in our village as well as some great restaurants when we're not on the go. ;) Thanks again for sharing!
Eating together with such low minimum wages
The lack of living wages forces double, triple employment
That families can't eat together
No family leaves for those crucial first neural development and stimulation
So important for healthy individuals
Only 2 week holiday
No subsidized Pre-K and killer higher education fee$
It's not just the economy stupid
and no
Rich people and corporation do not need a tax break
Does not change the economy
(it reduces competition, stock buy back just inject more money to the fiscal paradises)
France/Europe has lives very, very bad religious wars
America, is just getting into one
(Now that trumpism is a Religion)
The FBI (Hoover) Election integrity, Inflation, social division (Civil war) Cancel culture (Slavery, segregation) Have been SO MUCH WORSE in the past
But some guru has managed to convince Americans of the contrary
And, in the process WILL make America so much worse ! ! ?
Wishing us Good luck
Thanks for sharing!
it's great that your children's friends are very polite, but on average politeness is not what it used to be in France.
As for faith, true it is the number one subject. I would even say that I'm not surprised that people are interested by your faith, because a majority of French know nothing about religion, even what is supposed to be their own when they say they have on. If you take the main religion, catholicism, only a few percents go to church weekly and among the rest, catholicism is more about culture and identity than faith and what Christ/Church teaches you.
But you joing a religious community, faith will be a common topic to talk about.
Merci du partage! I agree kids aren’t as polite as when I grew up in France. It has changed.
And yes the French don’t know much about religion and sometimes not even the history and progression of history in France. Thanks for sharing!
"A majority of French know nothing about religion"
Well, they do learn a little bit of it during history classes. Oh hey Crusades and St Barthelemy, how are you doing? Is that....blood in la Seine i see? Wow.
Not like french people don't have to completely ignore religion. Spirituality is a nice thing....when it doesn't involve purging whole tribes, communities and the such to appease some mystical entity/political guru. Hence the reason why most french don't really bother with "their" religion and church. Who would need the approval of a god to NOT stab their neighbors?
Interesting. Thanks for sharing!
En France la religion n'a AUCUN DROIT. Chacun chez soi : l'église d'un coté et la vie civile de l'autre." Les "god bless you" et les "god bless america" ça n'est pas pour nous.
Et oui je sais bien, j’ai grandi en France. Après une expatriation aux USA pendant 20 ans, on s’habitue aux « God bless you » et encore plus quand c’est comme ça que l’on dit « A tes souhaits » en plus. :)
Must be rough since the differences between a 3rd world country like americu and 2nd world like france are pretty huge
I am not fully understanding your statement. But I do agree the culture differences are huge.
Not saying USA is the greatest or anything, but pretty sure when a country's influence basically brings a Mc Donalds everywhere, it no longer belongs to the "3rd world country". And France being one of the de facto leaders of Europe allows it to escape the "2nd world" (wtf is that even) category you want to place it in.
I'm curious about your nationality. You must belong to a nice little rainbow sunshine imaginary place.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing!
I was born and raised in France by an American-Italian father and British mother. I grew up with a mix of cultures and languages which I’m passionate about. I moved to the States where I lived for quite some time before returning back to southern France. 😃