When I moved to France, I didnt realize there was less advertising. I only did when I went back to the US to visit family that I noticed how it was everywhere. I grew up used to it but after living in France for a while I just can't watch TV in the US anymore because of it. In France an hour long tv show will have one commercial break, in the US it'd be 4 or 5. Yet you always hear french people complaining about how there's too much advertising on TV or radio. That's why brands and medias cant spam them more, because it'd have a counter effect and would make french people hate them. In the US we like to make fun of the french constant complaining but it works, that's how they keep their government and big corps on their toes. Another great video, love your channel.
The lack of tv advertising sounds great. Here in Australia the ad breaks in tv programmes can be 4-5 an hour. Worse than that the volume increases considerably. Do they think we’ll buy more if they try to deafen us? I just hit the mute button & make a cup of tea!
I'm in the US and enjoying your vids. They're very helpful and you're both very balanced explaining the positives (the healthcare video was excellent) and some of the challenges. After the election I've been more deliberate about getting out of the US with my family. When you were talking in one of your vids about how politics takes over our lives here, it resonated on a number of levels. The fear here now is palpable and we're feeling terrorized by our own incoming government. Also, over the last 15 years worrying about whether my children are going to be shot in school is sickening. You're both right, it's not acceptable. In fact, I'm afraid to let my daughter walk home from the bus stop. In any case, I'll be watching and asking questions in the weeks to come. Again, thank you both for your channel.
Hi guys I am french and it’s so lovely to hear your feedback about my country. Makes me smile and re-discover my country. Would love to have you as my neighbors 😘😘
Same here...though I must add that it's the first time I've actually heard anything positive about La Poste😂. Maybe French cynicism and whining (as opposed to wining) could be a video topic as well.😂
@@jellyabramovic2473 I have travelled with many different airlines, some good, some mediocre. My only trip on Air France was intercontinental. I thought it was okay, but many French passengers complained no end. Whiny indeed. I love the French countryside and the villages, which I e.g. enjoyed while on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques.
I'm American and moved to the south of France nearly 5 years ago. I think to sum up what you said, the French are more "group" rather than "individual" minded. They eat together and bsically at the same time. Employees are encouraged to go out of the work place to eat by giving them dining checks. People seem to be more wary of each other on the road. You really feel like you are part of a community on a daily basis. picking up your baguette in the mornings, catching up with those who grow your food at the market, etc. You walk more and beause of that you run into people you know often! In the U.S. you are in a car much of the day and eat lunch at your desk. Then at the end of the day, you get a mere few moments before it's time to go to bed and face the "mill" again the next morning.
regarding the shop and restaurant times, it is not that much about group behaviour, it is also respect of teh working time for the shop and restaurant workers. the cook, needs time to get the meal ready properly and the morning is teh preparation time, the waiter has to get the room ready and cleaned after for a good service. it is all about making the things right so that everybody can enjoy it. And for La Poste or the parties, this is public service or public organised, not by companies, and the people in charge striongly believe that all of the community deserve it, not just the oe that can afford it, I find it so much more interesting to allow everyone to participate if they wish so.
It an interesting perspective. As a Frenchman, I always feel like the French society is very focused on the individual, and the US one on communities. So it's interesting to see those difference and those perceptions.
@@LeSarthois I really think it depends on the location, in the United States as in France. I find this sense of community in regions like Provence or the French Alps (I've lived in both places). A "big" city (Annecy or Aix en Provence) where the whole region comes to shop, go out, participate in events, etc., and only small villages and medium-sized towns nearby where you can meet or easily chat with people. I also lived in Lille, and it was much more “Parisian” in the city center, and “Americanized” in the suburbs. More individual. I suppose we find the same thing in the US. Cities more focused on business, and others on a calmer way of life.
We settled here from UK in 2015. My favourite thing is the quiet conversion in bars and cafes. In UK and US ....PEOPLE TAK SOOOOOO LOUDLY! In France, conversations are usually private. I really notice it when I go back to visit family and friends.
You're right.... Do people also answer their phones and then treat the tables around them to 20 minutes of loud talk about babies, boyfriends, colleagues, etc etc etc...????? I hope not...
You obviously never had on-vacation frenchs from Paris taking at the next table. There is always some self proclaimed alpha male talking so loud to make it clear all the restaurant MUST listen to everything he uninterruptedly says ... sorry ... shouts
I am a retired English language teacher and that is a great way to improve your comprehension. Twenty years ago it was impossible to do so. Now there is so much material available on TH-cam or Netflix with subtitles in the major languages that you don't really need to pay for a language course. The problem is to know what is worth watching because there is so much garbage on TH-cam.
Not everyone, not everywhere. But yeah, it's the ideal way of life here. I have lived for many years in Paris and Lyon, but now, me, my wife and our two daughters, we own a nice house in a small city in the countryside. Lyon is not fa, country is at the door, we have all services and a garden, wonderful view and a sense of community within the village despite multiple people of multiple origins and confessions. It's a nice way to live.
arrete de rever la france est anvahi de clandestin africain et musulman il y a plus de 150 attaque au couteaux par jour on enferme pas la moitie des criminels violent est on laisse la racaille de cite bruler des ecole et piller des magasins
Getting deliveries sent to a "point relais" instead of your home address, if you have that option, might make things easier. You get an email that your package has arrived and you can pick it up at your convenience.
Culture and leisure have always been developed in France more than in other countries because France is due to its temperate climate and its abundance of water with many rivers and rivers, a fertile country and rich in agriculture, its inhabitants had no difficulty in feeding themselves and were thus not obliged to work constantly to survive the difference of inhabitants of other countries whose soil was poor , so that the French who were assured of being able to feed themselves easily could devote more free time to other occupations than work. the Germans have a saying "Happy as God in France." The fertility of its land being able to feed all its inhabitants, this explains that the French emigrate very little unlike inhabitants of other countries whose poorer soil cannot feed all the popilation like the Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Irish, Scandinavian countries. The fertility of its land has made itthis in history have often been coveted by the neighboring countries of France from where many wars suffered by France which has been invaded many times in its history because it is not protected naturally by the sea and the oceans like the United Kingdom or United States which on the map, have had no powerful neighbors like Scotland for England or Mexico and Canada for the United States while France had to face the Middle Ages to the English whose kings of French origin had hereditary lands in France and wanted expands France,and the Holy Roman Empire then Germany or Spain with its huge colonial empire in the 16-17th century .
@@domitiusafer thanks for your interesting comment. I would add that the laws in France do protect our way of life. They keep the Sunday off as often as possible, it bans excess commercials, it promotes small businesses. The US have a liberal economy that promotes business, the strongest, fastest wins…living behind some businesses and the environment. Many French have a minimum of 5 weeks, but often it is around 7 to even 9 weeks off (my wife has 11 weeks off as a university lecturer researcher).
@@lepouldukerzellec1149 It depends on the profession in fact but the State in France pays its officials in days off to compensate for low salaries. Thus French officials were granted 15 days of paid leave by Napoleon III in 1853, a measure that will not be extended to all French people until 1936 by the socialist government.This French practice of remunerating employees by days off so as not to increase salaries is still ongoing with the law of 2001 establishing the 35 weekly hours of work which allowed French employers to lower salaries in France in order to meet foreign competition because minimum salaries previously calculated on the basis of 39 hours per week are now calculated on 35 hours weekly which makes them mechanically lower, people who accepted this cut because of the extra days off. No entrepreneur or politician in France wants to question the 35 hours a week as much as employers have obtained the elimination of breaks and the possibility of making it easier to work on weekendsin rotating team the employees which allows to amortize the machines which turn thus 7 days out of 7 which explains that the productivity was not affected in France by the 35 hours weekly In fact the French now have half as many days off as they had before 1789 under the former royal regime with Sundays and Catholic religious holidays because the anti-Catholic revolutionaries abolished religious holidays and the days of associated rest and Sunday rest day , Robespierre suppresses the 7-day Christian week with Sunday rest and replaces it with the 10-day week the decade..; The Sunday rest day and the 7-day Christian week will be reinstated by Napoleon in 1802 with the Concordat signed with the Pope but the 3rd Republic will remove the Sunday rest day in 1880 so that people in France will work non-stop in France without a day of rest, except on secular holidays such as 1 May or 14 July, which is declared a national holiday. The day of rest on Sunday would not be re-established until 1906 in order to reconcile the Catholic population hostile to the implementation of the 1905 laws establishing the separation of Church and State with laïcité which is too often confused abroad with securitism.The laïcité is also a characteristic typically French poorly understood by foreigners. Republican politician Gambetta said that "French secularism is not an export article."This detachment, indifference or even contempt or mockery of the vast majority of French with respect to religions inherited from the French philosophers of the 18th century in particular from Voltaire can surprise and shock foreigners attached to religion
@@helycrisea8189If France has long benefited from the agricultural fertility of its soil that allowed it to have a population largest in Europe until"'at the beginning of the 19th century, which allowed it to have large fiscal resources and a large number of soldiers and to defeat alone several coalitions of European states enemies, some economists explain that this advantage gradually turned into a handicap at the time of the industrial revolution in the late 18th and 19th centuries .The importance of the French population meant that companies with cheap labour paid very low wages and therefore had no interest in investing in the mechanization of the industrial tool, hence a delay taken by France in the industrial revolution compared to Great Britain where the population is less numerous, Companies had to pay more for workers and invested in the mechanization of the industrial tool to reduce production costs. In addition, the higher wages in Britain than in France have allowed a consumer society to develop.Secondly, a large population unoccupied because not exclusively engaged in working to survive generates the bubbling of ideas and many revolts . Hence the political choice of the leaders so deliberate to keep low wages in France in order to occupy enough time at work to earn their living people and the refusal by Consequently, to facilitate mechanization that could give more free templs to the French to deal with politics or revolt instead of spending their time working to earn their life. The whole policy of the French governments for centuries has therefore consisted in reducing the duration of the free time of the French considered too important because of the ease to feed themselves due The soil fertility and therefore dangerous for the forest, to avoid them challenging the government in place ;Thus this explains that the demand for free time in France with particularly the reduction of working time is part of a political struggle for centuries of the population against its rulers. Finally, the state in France having to use its resources to protect its territory from its enemy neighbors was forced to invest massively in military expenditures at the expense of The United States and Great Britain are naturally protected from land invasions by sea , and the"The United States and Great Britain , with no powerful neighbours, needed only a navy and did not need strong land armies, so they were able to invest primarily in their industry.
Also if you forgot an ingredient on a Sunday, you can always go & ask your neighbors if they have it. It is perfectly fine to do here in France. You just invite them for dinner next Sunday :)
totally, a lot of things that are mentioned in this video are true but it tends to decrease so happy to see people who can enjoy this kind of thing and make it live
@@22Epic are you even living in France? Of course it’s totally fine. Sure it’s not about asking the entire ingredients list of a recipe. But if you need a lemon, a bit of pepper or sugar it’s totally fine. It’s even a bit a bonding experience with your neighbours.
@@22Epic I grew up in French "no go zone" and i've bought a house in a sweet town now. The solidarity is the same, perhaps even more in the "no go zone". Sure you don't know it.
@@22Epic I grew up in Bagneux. It was as "no go" as Nanterre or any Montfermeil etc... I know a lot of peops coming from differents "no go" arround Paris and have a house, a big car or what you want. I don't know if you are a right wing who want to scare peoples or a child which not really no the world, but what you describes is not the reality.
One of the solution for delivery is to choose the delivery to be done to a partner shop near your home. Once you get the delivery mail or SMS you can go pick up your parcel at a convenient time for you, avoiding waiting at home all day long or getting the famous "avis de passage" even if you were home... A lot of your relaxed French life comes from the fact of living in the countryside. Life in the Paris, Marseille or Lyon areas is much more stressful and with a lot less social interaction.
the social interactions is less natural and more divided by age in big cities indeed, it will mainly come from happy hours/afterwork in bars, cultural/seasonal events and clubs activities (sports, arts, etc...)
@@remy2824"a lot". A LOT. Not all. Of course there are events in big cities, but usually you won't have many interactions with many people, because there are A LOT of people, that you don't know. You'll usually stay here for the mood, with your family or friends, but that's it. In the countryside, interactions are more frequent, because there are less people. People become close more easily, you know everyone and don't have to worry about someone looking strange who might harm you. Pickpockets and all, in a small village, are easier to notice. It's easier to have fun when you don't have to worry about other things. No one said there are no events, but that a lot of the relaxed life they can live is due to the peacefulness of the countryside. Same with La Poste and deliveries. It's something they don't have to worry about. In large cities, mailmen tend to just put a letter in your mailbox saying they came but no one was there (when it's false, I was at home the whole day). In the countryside it happens less often, they actually knock at your door or at least ring the bell. Because there are less people, because they know you, because it's a house with a garden so they can hide it somewhere behind the wall... This alone gives you more peace, you don't have to worry as much
@@gsbeakyes, probably due to Parisians in general & living in a much bigger city. I live in Toulouse & so many events going on that it’s hard to.choose from & people know each other in their neighborhood probably because they shop at the local stores in the neighborhood.. I’m always bumping into friends or people who live in my small residence 🌸
Agree. One can use a Relais Colis. The most convenient Relais are a tabac (open long hours with no break at midday), garage or supermarket or other shops in the town centre. I use Relais Colis very successfully. I also enjoy seeing the facteur with a Colissimo parcel. Chrono Poste you have to wait around for during the designated time slot for drop off.
I’m french Canadian and in all honesty I never considered about relocating to France (other EU countries I have thought)…until watching your videos. You opened my eyes. I appreciate your positive energy and transparency while sharing your experiences, challenges and advice on establishing a life in a new country and learning a new language. I absolutely love the community aspect of your lovely little village.. French is a beautiful language with full of nuances. Not the easiest to learn but with patience and practice you will get there 😊 I will continue to follow along your journey with great pleasure.
Even from a French person perspective, these kind of comparison videos are fascinating. It's very factual, very accurate and informative about both lifestyle. The last point about last mile delivery was hilariously accurate guys. But I guess if you're an American subscriber living in an area with a ton of package theft, knowing that in France, if you're not home, your local delivery driver won't leave your package out in the open unattended and will make it available in a secure delivery point for you to go get it at a later time can be super reassuring. Keep'em coming guys! Another great vid!
Two very positive things I’ve noticed about France is that they don’t have advertising that brainwashes kids about food. In the US, kids’ tv shows are full of ads for unhealthy, hyper-processed foods. They’ll also refer to kids as picky eaters, which they aren’t, naturally. I’ve never seen that in France. Another thing I like is that French pharmacies are individually-owned & a pharmacist can own only 1 pharmacy. The result is fantastic customer service, pharmacists who actually know many of their clients & a thoughtful selection of things they sell apart from medication. I’ll also add that the expression “Americans live to work & the French work to live” is 💯% true. I’m glad you’re enjoying the lifestyle.
And in France, it is a legal obligation for processed food and candy ads to remind people to eat fruits and vegetables daily. There are other legal obligations such as encouraging people to walk or bike when advertising for cars; limiting your alcohol consumption in beer/wine/liquor commercials; saving energy when advertising for utility companies; or to give the translation of foreign language slogans (including English first and foremost) in French. Etc.
Yes’ they are franchises. There are ads in France. Less than in the US, but certainly more that from other countries. Big ads panels in suburbs have started to be more regulated in the last years.
Hello I am French, I have seen several of your videos and I find you so kind, friendly and open-minded! I hope your life in France will not disappoint you and I wish you the best! 🥰
When the package is small and does not require a signature, if you are away, the delivery person will put it in the mailbox if there is enough space (this is the case for amazon packages). If you are absent, you can ask for the package to be dropped off at a relay point, there are some in local shops near you. I live in the countryside, I know my postman and she is also very helpful
I’m Franco-American & I love how my city is a whole different place on sunday.. the only people you encounter in the street in the morning are people going to get their bread & croissants for the family breakfast time.
We’ve lived in Occitanie for 4 years now, all of your videos have been spot on. We are struggling with language sophistication (the nuances), but have purchased a house, two cars, gotten our carte vitale, and all of the other things to live in an integrated manner; in retrospect we are integrating and have a vibrant social life……..contrary to public opinion, the French are warm, friendly and welcoming. We have found our home!
C'est très jolie l'Occitanie. Il faut un travail acharné pour apprendre le français, mais des millions de personnes avant vous y sont parvenu, alors vous ne ferez pas exception.
Long story short, this is called civilized living. All the issues are not just French the same goes for almost all European countries. The USA is a money-driven circus show. Please enjoy your life here in French
I have lived here in France for 24 years, born in Spain, lived in England and moved in 2000. I wonder if in the US you all take advantage of working all available hours because you have to pay for healthcare, (unless you are covered by your employer ?) there's no Sécu.
Jason, I lived just North of Houston in Montgomery, Texas and did my undergrad in San Marcos. Cheers guys- love the videos. I think with each one we watch, my wife is warming to the idea of heading to France.
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon your video, but I’m glad I did. It's refreshing to gain an outsider's perspective on life in France and it makes me appreciate living here even more. Wishing you a wonderful life and continued openness to different cultures!
Très agréable de vous écoutez et vous entendre avec notre mode de vie. J'habilite le Sud Ouest de la France également et en tant qu'artisan, je ne le cache pas avoir des semaines longues, mais OUI le week-end est nécessaire au fonctionnement de la semaine suivante! Bonne remarque! Merci à vous et profitez bien.
We just discovered your channel and are loving it! My husband and I are a retired educator and a retired public interest attorney living in rural northeast Texas (a tiny town outside Longview). We had been daydreaming about relocating to Spain, but after a recent trip to France and reunion with our old French foreign exchange student, France is also a top potential destination for us, so your information is so helpful!
It's a small world...I (Raina) grew up in Greenville and went to school at Trinity Valley for my associates in Nursing. Go Cardinals! Good luck with your research! Spain is absolutely lovely, but we are team 🇫🇷 to live 😁
Wonderful information and perspective of US compared to French life. Being 61, I'm old enough to remember life before malls and super Walmarts in Northern Ohio. Stores closed at 7pm and I do not think they were open on Sundays either. Going shopping was an event and plans to stay out for several hours was normal. Running to the corner for 1 thing was unheard of as you waited until shopping day. Shopping during the holidays was magical being all bundled up and going from store to store in the downtown area where there were Christmas lights and decorations. Of course there were the departments that have been around since the 1900 like JC Penney's and Sears & Roebuck. I spent summers on the family farm in Oklahoma and my German grandmother would cook big meals for midday and my uncle who worked the fields would come in for lunch and rest for a couple hours and then finish his day. The US had a European way of life b/c so many of the people were from Europe but with each generation, has lost that lifestyle and made way for the malls, one stop shopping, supercenters and next day deliveries.
La poste used to be a public company but it's still a kind of public service and many postmen postwomen have kept this nice spirit. Everything is not just about money 😊
On the things you mentioned, living in a town of a few thousand in rural Australia, I think I've got the best of both worlds. Easy, reliable home delivery, all-age community events, a generally relaxed lifestyle... 😌 ... oh, and I'm told that my accent when speaking French* is spot on! 😄 * from having a French-speaking partner.
I see your videos and can tell you are enjoying your stay in my belle France, good for you. I am from Florida but here already 22 years, the best decision of my life thanks to my French wife. Salut
Yes, trying to receive a delivery often exasperates us, and we are home 95% of the time, but after a few years of practice, we now usually succeed on the first delivery attempt. One thing I've noticed living in the French countryside is the congeniality. Once people who live nearby have seen us several times, they will engage us in conversation if we are passing by -- and that's with our less-than-fluent grasp of French. Our "next-door" neighbours engage us every time we are outside. If we're working, the interruptions can be a bit less welcome, but if that's the price of such conviviality, I'll gladly pay the dues. On another point, the French take pride in what the country produces, and the French support these producers by purchasing their products. Many food products will even have packaging that identifies the individual producer. I especially like AOP products -- you know exactly what you're getting regardless of the "brand." I remember campaigns in the U.S. trying to stimulate "buying American." Such campaigns would be superfluous here -- everyone "buys French" as a matter of course. Just look at automobiles. Most of the autos are Peugeots or Citroëns. As added bonuses, costs and environmental impacts are lessened since products do not generally travel long distances. I appreciate your comments about advertising. When I visit the U.S. and watch television, I feel quite pressed into the back of the sofa when the unending commercials blocks start and the volume suddenly cranks up. I find it very stress-inducing. And it's not just television. One is assaulted through every possible medium in an effort to get a piece of America's consumerism addiction. I personally find all those billboards polluting the scenery particularly egregious. Lastly, life in Europe simply runs at a slower pace. Most European countries maintain productivity per capita near to U.S. standards, but European countries achieve that productivity in significantly fewer workhours per year per capita. Go figure.
About the cars not entirely true. Toyota us a Japonese brand, profucted on the local soil... Whereas Peugeot and Citroen fan be producef in Rumania or Poland.... Despite these are French brands.
Regarding the work, basically french people are happier in work, and happier = more productive. They just stress the productivity out of the people in the US..
American productivity is measured by the week whereas in Europe (France) they measure it by productivity per man hour, which will show that European productivity per man hour is higher than the US.
Another great video. There are major regional variances in France (for instance, where I used to live in Southern France some Supermarkets were open 7 am 'til midnight every day.) Now I live in Normandy. The odd supermarket opens only until 1pm. Boulangeries, however, open between 6 and 7.30am every day. Another big difference between South and North is DIY stores. I'm a Brit, and the idea that DIY stores are closed on Sunday is a complete anathema. In the South they are sometimes open on Sunday morning. If I need a few screws to complete a task on a Sunday my nearest open DIY store is in the UK! One thing that you said to which I can only totally agree is LaPoste (which includes Colissimo) is the best delivery service in France. A close second is DHL.
Hi @baguettebound! My husband and I have just purchased a home in Charente aaaaaand we just got our long-stay visas approved (first time). And can I just say, as the official admin person for my family (😅), I am so grateful to have your content as a guide. There have been some differences, but your videos have helped guide me in the right direction. Thank you so much for all your efforts!
One helpful tip when dealing with French bureaucracy is to turn your request into a story -- the French love stories, especially when they get to become the hero who helps solve the problem. Of course, it helps a lot to speak at least some French. When we have an issue to work out, I'll often do the talking (even though my wife is French), because my accent apparently works wonders to make problems go away.
Bonjour!! I'm laid up sick today and just stumbled on your channel - I LOVE IT!!! I live part time not far from you all - in Belvès, in the Perigord Noir. I have so far watched 3 or 4 of your videos and you are NAILING it!!! The square pillows, the fabulous La Poste, adjusting to the French day. Our other life is on an island outside Seattle, so the country life was not new - but still so different in France! I'm in my 3rd year of being here Spring and Fall with wonderful friends here and loving it. Really looking into making the leap. Thank you for these great, validating insights!
16:43 French national here. About "La Poste". Yes, the local postal service is amazing. Imagine USPS, but with the actual means to deliver you mail EVERY, SINGLE, MORNING. And in the more rural areas, talk with people, get news etc ... Wonderful people. The "other" services... Hmmm. Well. My personal advice, unless absolutely necessary, avoid. A très bientôt 😉
Oui le dimanche tout les commerces sont fermés. Si vous avez besoin d'un œuf ou de farine pour finir votre gâteau, demandez à la voisine. Elle sera heureuse de vous dépanner.
Je suis dans les Yvelines , Ile de France , l'Auchan près de chez moi est ouvert 7 j/7j d'innombrables magasins de bricolage , électroménager , jardineries etc .. idem , seuls les tout petit commerces sont fermés le dimanche après midi
I'm French born and raised, and I lived in the US for a few years (and loved it), and I completely agree with your list of things. I'm so glad you're enjoying living here so much. Definitely two different experiences from France to the US and vice versa, but so enriching. 🙂
I'm French, and your video just made me realise how lucky we are with all these tiny things you mentionned. French people are always complaining of their situation (you could add that as a negative point)... How funny it is that American people are showing me how good it is to live in France... Thanks for that !!
How beautiful is your backyard?! Everything you mentioned resonated with me about the differences between France and the US and why their more deliberate and thoughtful way of living is so appealing. Weaning oneself off of 4 hour Amazon deliveries will be tough but as you point out that is manageable. Thanks for another great video!
Bonjour vos video sont très bien faites pour toutes comparaisons un pays à autre avantage et inconvénients je vous souhaite une excellente vie en France 😊
We used to get deliveries to a 'mailbox store' when we were in Spain. Essentially a private 'post office box', so they get your packages, your mail, and will take your packages for pick up. Awesome idea that Amazon has now adopted in the US (dropping off returns at Kohl's or picking up a package at the CVS!)
Le Dimanche c’est sacré mes amis!! En tant que Français c’est un vrai plaisir de vous ecouter et je reconnais complètement ma France dans votre description et par la même occasion je perfectionne mon Anglais (us) comme ça. Merci beaucoup et bonne vacances
I love that Europe does NOT advertise prescription drugs on TV or radio, car commercials, and programming you're already watching!!!! Don't you think searching out what stores does what forces you to interact with the community? You are shopping with friends and neighbors. I can live with it all, it just is what it is.
Une vidéo très intéressante sur les différences entre les USA 🇺🇸 et la France 🇫🇷 curieusement en tant que français, c’est l’inverse. mon rêve est de partir vivre aux États-Unis. Mais votre analyse est vraiment très instructive. 😊
6.30:There is a law in France which strictly regulates signs and advertising panels. This is why you see less of them on the side of the road. This is the reference of the law: loi du 12 juillet 2010 portant engagement national pour l'environnement (dite loi "ENE"), complétée par le décret n° 2012-118 du 30 janvier 2012 relatif à la publicité extérieure, aux enseignes et aux préenseignes.
The length of school days is a real problem in France. It's too long for children to concentrate all day, have extra-curricular time (artistic or sporting activity) and then review lessons in the evening.
Ça c'est de mon point de vue, et j'ai travaillé dans un collège, une bêtise. Il y a un problème, mais ce n'est pas celui-là, c'est un problème de génération, quand j'y étais, à l'école, je faisais ce qu'il y avait à faire, parce que j'ai été éduqué dans le sens du devoir. Maintenant, quoique l'on fasse, ou demande, ce sera toujours trop pour les fainéasses. Et les encourager dans cette voie ne les aidera en rien, et c'est très nuisible pour la société entière à moyen terme. Pour le reste on pourrait discuter des programmes pédagogiques qui de mon point de vu n'encouragent pas la créativité, ou ne cherchent pas à valoriser les points forts des élèves, mais ça prendrait des heures.
@@MrBaymericI agree with you. Most things in France are based around making the life easier for the adults. It's actually quite sickening how low down children's needs are put in every day life in France. Children also have to put up with adults routine, including eating ridiculously late, or being taken out for meals 2 hours past their bedtime, and expected to just behave even though they're tired.
@GreNouilleFestiV unless you've lived outside of France, you don't get to comment. Most people don't realise how things are in their own country until they've left it and got some comparisons.
Great comparisons ! Concerning deliveries it has gotten a lot better these past years, but being in a rural area sure can make it harder. In case you don’t know, you might be able to find several drop spots around you, such as local shops near you or amazon / chronopost safes.
Nice vid. You have basically described the daily, weekly life of every European country and culture. The village or town centre is the life of your community, especially on Saturdays when we hold our markets. Nothing more relaxing than to go down in the morning, amongst the hustle and bustle of the market, and sit at a café terrace with friends for a coffee, or deux ou trois décis (Swiss French) de vin de la région. And, btw, it's called football not just for your French viewers, but all here bar the Italians.... il calcio!
I'm French and I love your videos. Very interesting to see what foreigners think of France and how their adaptation is evolving. Also living in the southwest (Toulouse area), happy to know you adopted the "chocolatine" way of life!😁
I have noticed a lot of these things, but instead of France, its been in Quebec, Canada. The slower pace of life, not over-scheduling, the local events that are amazing (in Montreal, community centers actually DO things for free for the neighborhoods). I think it comes down to when businesses are open during the days.
I guess my phone has heard my desire to leave the states and the algorithm pointed me to your channel. Your videos are fun and refreshing. I’m jealous. I want to move right now. We are circling the drain and it’s not going to get any better.
This video hit the nail on the head. (Does that translate?) All good points-thank you for such a thorough summary! Having traveled to France around 30 times, I can verify why France is considered the epitome of the "art of living." While many other European countries also deserve a nod, France stands out in its charm, lifestyle and most importantly, the correct work/life balance. This video has solidified my decision to apply for a long-stay visa instead of another short, 90-day trip. Your insights have really validated my plans. Merci. À toute à l'heure!🍵🥐🍷
The Achilles heal in France is customer service by larger companies. It is really poor for deliveries except La Poste. La Poste delivery staff are brilliant.
Hi all, 😂 when Jason said 14 " cut Horse" thank you Raina, that you didn't remember 14 in French.. This makes my day. Welcome & glad to see ppl like you. Hope Europe matches yours wishes. Where yours ancestors from? Where you're. 🎉
amazing !! I did not know that amaricans were moving to the french countryside lifestyle, british and dutch yes but I was not aware of americans , I lived almost 10 years in Houston( TX) and 15 years in London(UK) and came back to rural France summer 2022 with 2 young children ( my wife is from rural France though) , we needed time to adjust as you said but once you got the rhythm , it is pretty good , don't make me wrong France is facing a lot of difficulties and problems but living in rural/countryside will ease these difficulties greatly ,people who can move to the countryside ( working remotly ,etc) , they will find an improvement in their physical and mental health , at least this is what we have being experiencing so far.......
As a French, I can confirm that what you describe is true. But there is a difference between the countryside and the big cities where there are much more shops opened on Sundays. For the delivery, the best solution is to choose a "point relais" , a shop that will receive the package for you. And then you can collect after when you are available.
One of the biggest differences is the location of shops. Bakeries, butchers, groceries etc. in France are in residential areas, often easily reachable on foot. In the USA, people usually drive for all shopping, often long distances.
I moved to the north of France in 2003 from Northern Ireland. I've enjoyed your videos and can relate to a number of your experiences. Your comments about delivery struck home. Yes, it's complicated in France, especially if it's not, La Poste. Don't believe them if on Friday they say 'next day'. Nah, it'll be Monday 😀 If I'm not sure I can be around I don't order stuff. Tuesday I can because I'm usually home the next two days. However one thing to try is the various types of Point Relais (which may be la Poste or supermarché). They deliver it to the 'shop', send you a texto and you get about a week to go collect. Really useful.
I'm from the US and I've heard so much about life in France being better in the ways that you mention. There is one behind-the-scenes difference between there and here: Infrastructure. From what I gather, there are laws that protect the smaller, family-owned shops in regards to opening times and even having sales, as well as restricting big-box stores. And the farmer's markets are probably the result of agricultural and trade policies that enable fresh produce-oriented smaller farmers. Doesn't every town (or neighborhood) have specific market days? I can remember in the 1960s when stores were closed on Sundays too. And after 7:00 or 9:00 pm there wasn't much open either. The frequent time off from school is probably what inculcates younger people to enjoy and appreciate all the vacation time they get once they get into the working world. Work-life balance! You didn't mention one thing: Television. SO many Americans spend many hours every day watching it, that they don't have time to live the real life meeting friends, enjoying food, walking, enjoying those festivals and "doing one thing" in their time off like you mentioned. TV is the substitute for living life in America. I love the French way!
en general quand tu n'est pas la il dépose de toute façon le colis dans un point relais proche, du moins c'est comme ça que ca c'est toujours passé quand j'ai commandé un coli et que je n'étais pas la a la réception, mais je suis peut-etre juste chanceux x)
A tip for France countryside : If you are familiar with your local post-office worker and you don't have a lot of thiefs around, you can ask them to drop off the packages inside the house! Leave the door unlocked and they will ring the bell, drop the package off, and leave. It might not be the case everywhere but I've lived through a few places and it's has been common :) Doesn't work in medium or big cities through, as you might get your package stolen or just too much different workers for it to be done!
Thanks for your videos. It’s so refreshing hearing your experiences here in France & they’re spot on! I’ve been here since 1985 & just love it. I was lucky to have had a French mom & American dad so know both US & France well. Just love your video & will watch the other ones too. I watch videos on TH-cam & they caught on to my dual nationality 😉 merci!
I cannot wait to emigrate to France! My only challenge will be breaking my amazon habit. 😅 It became so much easier to find exactly what you need versus driving all over town, searching through multiple places to find something that may only be close to what you need is the reason it became so pervasive. I look forward to going to the stores that specialize and discovering new ways of doing things. Thanks as always for your thoughtful and insightful observations!❤
You may grow out of your habit of ordering from Amazon..it can truly become an unconscious vice just because it exists. I’d rather take time looking through the local stores first, which are usually cheaper and/or can be of better quality than order from Amazon. Also because I’d rather give my money to the local community than to the multi-millionaire Bezos.. I can understand however that if you’re living in a small rural area, it is a convenient choice.
le service client en france c est toujours difficile , aprés vous pouvez avoir un livreur gentil qui vous appel avant ou qui revient de lui même dans la même journée mais ce n est pas une obligation de bien traiter le client comme chez les americain , c est plus une question de gentillesse individuelle.
I cut the cord 20 years ago. Streaming only, no ads. I want my time back and ads are just insulting. Back in the 1970s, many places were closed on Sundays. We've lost that sense of rest.
Bonjour Baguette Bound :) I'm French and I live in Boulder County :)) Do you miss the Flatirons, the hikes, the outdoorsy experience, or the National Parks (they are incredible!) ? I drive (or ride my bike when the weather is nice) from Lafayette where I live to Boulder where I work, and I can see the mountains from Baseline Lake, 'my spot'. Do you miss Louisville, Boulder? Fun to see the other side moving to France from the US. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I am a 33 yo french dude from Paris, and when I was15, I had the chance to travel to Oklahoma for a whole year (which has similarities with the texan way of life if I'm right). I had such a great time watching your video, thinking backwards ahah The thing that I noticed and remember about my american countryside experience is the constant need to drive a car. Cities were not design to walk around ! Thanks again for your video, you guys chose one of the most beautiful region of France to move ❤
I’m an American living on the island of Corsica and that adds another layer of difference to the Continent but I wouldn’t trade my life here for anything except perhaps during July and August when we are overrun by vacationers from the mainland
I'm French welcome to your family in our country! we have a great country and like all others we have beautifull things and some others less beautifull...discover and enjoy! :)
Interesting thoughts. What you call "a village of 29 000 people", we call it a town. A village will be more a few hundreds people. A hamlet, a few dozens. Despite not being so prevalent like in the US, we still think there are too many ads. Fortunately not for medications or lawyers. About the deliveries, yes, it's a problem for the customer when you're in the countryside. On another hand, you have to think about the delivery guy who need to tour all the region to be in time for his schedule, which also must be a nightmare. So the whole system should be reconsidered, but it's whole different issue.
@@st-ex8506 Oh, ok, fair enough. I have a hard time with the dozens of hundreds which we don't use often in french. :) Yes, 2900 will be a big village, or still a small town.
@@delphzouzou4520 It's actually a little noticed difference between UK English and American English. In the UK we would be much more likely to say 'two thousand nine hundred'. Americans talk much more often in hundreds even when it's into the thousands. It can even confuse us Brits at times when they do it.
oh you live in Dordogne ! One of the most beautiful and country side department in France imo. There are many british buying houses over there ^^ Part of my family lives in Dordogne as well. I see you're enjoying and that's great.
Thanks for the video and breakdown. My wife is French - we are looking to move back to be near her parents (Toulouse area). I don't really speak French much but I understand somewhat and ready to exit the Midwest. Looking at your content to give myself tips.... thanks!
The delivery thing would drive me nuts. We get tons through Amazon and Sams Club. We lived in the Czech Republic for 3 years and discovering tesco delivered groceries was a game changer.
Hi, French family that used to live in California here. Your video nails it down, well done! For viewers, the countryside component of it is very important. Some of what is described (especially community, somewhat shop hours, for sure big chain stores, same day delivery) is much different the more urban the area gets, unfortunately for the community part of it… French’s small villages communities are tightly bound, and as you noted organized around the village as opposed to around a school or a parish, not so much anymore in cities unfortunately.
Living in country side is amazing, in Europe I guess. I'm french and and was amazed by your video. I live in a "town" (~150k, nothing compare to the US) and it's nice too. There are great neighborhood where I am. Great video, thanks :)
Il y a un mot pour décrire ce que vous tentez d'exprimer, il s'agit de la convivialité, un style de vie plutôt cool que nous partageons avec les Italiens.
Really interesting to have to point of view of an american couple. Personally im from Gironde and really in border to Dordogne, feelin lucky because Dordogne is for me easily one of the best departement in France, if not the best. The Perigord Noir is something else, La Roque-Gageac, Sarlat etc.... all the medieval-age monument, prehistorian site, cavern, local food, hiking etc... Amazing departement, pure escape.
When I moved to France, I didnt realize there was less advertising. I only did when I went back to the US to visit family that I noticed how it was everywhere. I grew up used to it but after living in France for a while I just can't watch TV in the US anymore because of it. In France an hour long tv show will have one commercial break, in the US it'd be 4 or 5.
Yet you always hear french people complaining about how there's too much advertising on TV or radio. That's why brands and medias cant spam them more, because it'd have a counter effect and would make french people hate them. In the US we like to make fun of the french constant complaining but it works, that's how they keep their government and big corps on their toes.
Another great video, love your channel.
You are very optimistic about the efficiency of complaining in France. Big medias don't advertize more because it's not legal
The lack of tv advertising sounds great. Here in Australia the ad breaks in tv programmes can be 4-5 an hour. Worse than that the volume increases considerably. Do they think we’ll buy more if they try to deafen us? I just hit the mute button & make a cup of tea!
@@MrMf92 yes but it's not legal because people fought not to let advertisers get unchecked
In case of advert, I zap.
Nous aimons râler oui. Mais n'est ce pas aussi ce qui, peut-être, fait aussi parti du charme français?. :)
I'm in the US and enjoying your vids. They're very helpful and you're both very balanced explaining the positives (the healthcare video was excellent) and some of the challenges.
After the election I've been more deliberate about getting out of the US with my family. When you were talking in one of your vids about how politics takes over our lives here, it resonated on a number of levels. The fear here now is palpable and we're feeling terrorized by our own incoming government.
Also, over the last 15 years worrying about whether my children are going to be shot in school is sickening. You're both right, it's not acceptable. In fact, I'm afraid to let my daughter walk home from the bus stop.
In any case, I'll be watching and asking questions in the weeks to come. Again, thank you both for your channel.
Hi guys I am french and it’s so lovely to hear your feedback about my country. Makes me smile and re-discover my country. Would love to have you as my neighbors 😘😘
C'est rigolo, j'ai penser la même chose!
Nous oublions vite la chance que nous pouvons avoir parfois. Très belle petite vidéo. J’ai rigolé aussi 😇
Same here...though I must add that it's the first time I've actually heard anything positive about La Poste😂. Maybe French cynicism and whining (as opposed to wining) could be a video topic as well.😂
@@jellyabramovic2473
I have travelled with many different airlines, some good, some mediocre. My only trip on Air France was intercontinental. I thought it was okay, but many French passengers complained no end. Whiny indeed.
I love the French countryside and the villages, which I e.g. enjoyed while on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques.
I'm American and moved to the south of France nearly 5 years ago. I think to sum up what you said, the French are more "group" rather than "individual" minded. They eat together and bsically at the same time. Employees are encouraged to go out of the work place to eat by giving them dining checks. People seem to be more wary of each other on the road. You really feel like you are part of a community on a daily basis. picking up your baguette in the mornings, catching up with those who grow your food at the market, etc. You walk more and beause of that you run into people you know often! In the U.S. you are in a car much of the day and eat lunch at your desk. Then at the end of the day, you get a mere few moments before it's time to go to bed and face the "mill" again the next morning.
regarding the shop and restaurant times, it is not that much about group behaviour, it is also respect of teh working time for the shop and restaurant workers. the cook, needs time to get the meal ready properly and the morning is teh preparation time, the waiter has to get the room ready and cleaned after for a good service. it is all about making the things right so that everybody can enjoy it.
And for La Poste or the parties, this is public service or public organised, not by companies, and the people in charge striongly believe that all of the community deserve it, not just the oe that can afford it, I find it so much more interesting to allow everyone to participate if they wish so.
It an interesting perspective. As a Frenchman, I always feel like the French society is very focused on the individual, and the US one on communities. So it's interesting to see those difference and those perceptions.
@@LeSarthois I really think it depends on the location, in the United States as in France. I find this sense of community in regions like Provence or the French Alps (I've lived in both places). A "big" city (Annecy or Aix en Provence) where the whole region comes to shop, go out, participate in events, etc., and only small villages and medium-sized towns nearby where you can meet or easily chat with people. I also lived in Lille, and it was much more “Parisian” in the city center, and “Americanized” in the suburbs. More individual. I suppose we find the same thing in the US. Cities more focused on business, and others on a calmer way of life.
We used to have big billboards but they ve banned because of visual pollution.
@@LeSarthoisils parlaient pas des parisiens, et toi tu parles du communautarisme qu'il soit ethnique ou économique tres américain effectivement
We settled here from UK in 2015. My favourite thing is the quiet conversion in bars and cafes. In UK and US ....PEOPLE TAK SOOOOOO LOUDLY!
In France, conversations are usually private. I really notice it when I go back to visit family and friends.
You're right.... Do people also answer their phones and then treat the tables around them to 20 minutes of loud talk about babies, boyfriends, colleagues, etc etc etc...????? I hope not...
Its because we can't hear over the damn music! Why do bars and restaurants insist on having such loud music that you can't talk?
You obviously never had on-vacation frenchs from Paris taking at the next table. There is always some self proclaimed alpha male talking so loud to make it clear all the restaurant MUST listen to everything he uninterruptedly says ... sorry ... shouts
@@nikkikindinger2718 urrghh.... Hate that!
I am french and I love watching your videos in order to improve my english understanding skills !
Thank you, I'm so glad!
Ouii moi c'est pareil.😊
I am a retired English language teacher and that is a great way to improve your comprehension. Twenty years ago it was impossible to do so. Now there is so much material available on TH-cam or Netflix with subtitles in the major languages that you don't really need to pay for a language course. The problem is to know what is worth watching because there is so much garbage on TH-cam.
In France we just take the time to share, to drink, to eat, to meet, to talk, to chill, to read, to live...
Money is not our priority, it's happiness.
Not everyone, not everywhere. But yeah, it's the ideal way of life here. I have lived for many years in Paris and Lyon, but now, me, my wife and our two daughters, we own a nice house in a small city in the countryside. Lyon is not fa, country is at the door, we have all services and a garden, wonderful view and a sense of community within the village despite multiple people of multiple origins and confessions. It's a nice way to live.
money is not priority for wealthy people...
arrete de rever la france est anvahi de clandestin africain et musulman il y a plus de 150 attaque au couteaux par jour on enferme pas la moitie des criminels violent est on laisse la racaille de cite bruler des ecole et piller des magasins
@@fabiendalmasso Exacly. In France we talk about "hygiène de vie". this can be translated as "healthy living".
Here a sentence I used to say while I was living the USA for 10 years : The French work for living. The American live for work. 😅
Getting deliveries sent to a "point relais" instead of your home address, if you have that option, might make things easier. You get an email that your package has arrived and you can pick it up at your convenience.
It’s nice to see that France is still connected to humanity and is less about doing business at all times.
Culture and leisure have always been developed in France more than in other countries because France is due to its temperate climate and its abundance of water with many rivers and rivers, a fertile country and rich in agriculture, its inhabitants had no difficulty in feeding themselves and were thus not obliged to work constantly to survive the difference of inhabitants of other countries whose soil was poor , so that the French who were assured of being able to feed themselves easily could devote more free time to other occupations than work. the Germans have a saying "Happy as God in France."
The fertility of its land being able to feed all its inhabitants, this explains that the French emigrate very little unlike inhabitants of other countries whose poorer soil cannot feed all the popilation like the Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Irish, Scandinavian countries. The fertility of its land has made itthis in history have often been coveted by the neighboring countries of France from where many wars suffered by France which has been invaded many times in its history because it is not protected naturally by the sea and the oceans like the United Kingdom or United States which on the map, have had no powerful neighbors like Scotland for England or Mexico and Canada for the United States while France had to face the Middle Ages to the English whose kings of French origin had hereditary lands in France and wanted expands France,and the Holy Roman Empire then Germany or Spain with its huge colonial empire in the 16-17th century .
@@domitiusafer thanks for your interesting comment. I would add that the laws in France do protect our way of life. They keep the Sunday off as often as possible, it bans excess commercials, it promotes small businesses.
The US have a liberal economy that promotes business, the strongest, fastest wins…living behind some businesses and the environment.
Many French have a minimum of 5 weeks, but often it is around 7 to even 9 weeks off (my wife has 11 weeks off as a university lecturer researcher).
@@lepouldukerzellec1149 It depends on the profession in fact but the State in France pays its officials in days off to compensate for low salaries. Thus French officials were granted 15 days of paid leave by Napoleon III in 1853, a measure that will not be extended to all French people until 1936 by the socialist government.This French practice of remunerating employees by days off so as not to increase salaries is still ongoing with the law of 2001 establishing the 35 weekly hours of work which allowed French employers to lower salaries in France in order to meet foreign competition because minimum salaries previously calculated on the basis of 39 hours per week are now calculated on 35 hours weekly which makes them mechanically lower, people who accepted this cut because of the extra days off. No entrepreneur or politician in France wants to question the 35 hours a week as much as employers have obtained the elimination of breaks and the possibility of making it easier to work on weekendsin rotating team the employees which allows to amortize the machines which turn thus 7 days out of 7 which explains that the productivity was not affected in France by the 35 hours weekly In fact the French now have half as many days off as they had before 1789 under the former royal regime with Sundays and Catholic religious holidays because the anti-Catholic revolutionaries abolished religious holidays and the days of associated rest and Sunday rest day , Robespierre suppresses the 7-day Christian week with Sunday rest and replaces it with the 10-day week the decade..;
The Sunday rest day and the 7-day Christian week will be reinstated by Napoleon in 1802 with the Concordat signed with the Pope but the 3rd Republic will remove the Sunday rest day in 1880 so that people in France will work non-stop in France without a day of rest, except on secular holidays such as 1 May or 14 July, which is declared a national holiday. The day of rest on Sunday would not be re-established until 1906 in order to reconcile the Catholic population hostile to the implementation of the 1905 laws establishing the separation of Church and State with laïcité which is too often confused abroad with securitism.The laïcité is also a characteristic typically French poorly understood by foreigners. Republican politician Gambetta said that "French secularism is not an export article."This detachment, indifference or even contempt or mockery of the vast majority of French with respect to religions inherited from the French philosophers of the 18th century in particular from Voltaire can surprise and shock foreigners attached to religion
@@domitiusafer Very well explained. Thank you.
@@helycrisea8189If France has long benefited from the agricultural fertility of its soil that allowed it to have a population largest in Europe until"'at the beginning of the 19th century, which allowed it to have large fiscal resources and a large number of soldiers and to defeat alone several coalitions of European states enemies, some economists explain that this advantage gradually turned into a handicap at the time of the industrial revolution in the late 18th and 19th centuries .The importance of the French population meant that companies with cheap labour paid very low wages and therefore had no interest in investing in the mechanization of the industrial tool, hence a delay taken by France in the industrial revolution compared to Great Britain where the population is less numerous, Companies had to pay more for workers and invested in the mechanization of the industrial tool to reduce production costs. In addition, the higher wages in Britain than in France have allowed a consumer society to develop.Secondly, a large population unoccupied because not exclusively engaged in working to survive generates the bubbling of ideas and many revolts . Hence the political choice of the leaders so deliberate to keep low wages in France in order to occupy enough time at work to earn their living people and the refusal by Consequently, to facilitate mechanization that could give more free templs to the French to deal with politics or revolt instead of spending their time working to earn their life. The whole policy of the French governments for centuries has therefore consisted in reducing the duration of the free time of the French considered too important because of the ease to feed themselves due The soil fertility and therefore dangerous for the forest, to avoid them challenging the government in place ;Thus this explains that the demand for free time in France with particularly the reduction of working time is part of a political struggle for centuries of the population against its rulers.
Finally, the state in France having to use its resources to protect its territory from its enemy neighbors was forced to invest massively in military expenditures at the expense of The United States and Great Britain are naturally protected from land invasions by sea , and the"The United States and Great Britain , with no powerful neighbours, needed only a navy and did not need strong land armies, so they were able to invest primarily in their industry.
Also if you forgot an ingredient on a Sunday, you can always go & ask your neighbors if they have it. It is perfectly fine to do here in France.
You just invite them for dinner next Sunday :)
totally, a lot of things that are mentioned in this video are true but it tends to decrease so happy to see people who can enjoy this kind of thing and make it live
@@22Epic are you even living in France? Of course it’s totally fine. Sure it’s not about asking the entire ingredients list of a recipe. But if you need a lemon, a bit of pepper or sugar it’s totally fine. It’s even a bit a bonding experience with your neighbours.
@@22Epic I grew up in French "no go zone" and i've bought a house in a sweet town now. The solidarity is the same, perhaps even more in the "no go zone". Sure you don't know it.
@@22Epic I grew up in Bagneux. It was as "no go" as Nanterre or any Montfermeil etc...
I know a lot of peops coming from differents "no go" arround Paris and have a house, a big car or what you want. I don't know if you are a right wing who want to scare peoples or a child which not really no the world, but what you describes is not the reality.
@@22Epic Ok, u're just a troll. No interest to go further anymore.
Bye
One of the solution for delivery is to choose the delivery to be done to a partner shop near your home. Once you get the delivery mail or SMS you can go pick up your parcel at a convenient time for you, avoiding waiting at home all day long or getting the famous "avis de passage" even if you were home...
A lot of your relaxed French life comes from the fact of living in the countryside.
Life in the Paris, Marseille or Lyon areas is much more stressful and with a lot less social interaction.
the social interactions is less natural and more divided by age in big cities indeed, it will mainly come from happy hours/afterwork in bars, cultural/seasonal events and clubs activities (sports, arts, etc...)
@@remy2824Yea, I have no idea of France and big cities, being French and having lived 30 years in the Paris area...
@@remy2824"a lot". A LOT. Not all.
Of course there are events in big cities, but usually you won't have many interactions with many people, because there are A LOT of people, that you don't know. You'll usually stay here for the mood, with your family or friends, but that's it. In the countryside, interactions are more frequent, because there are less people. People become close more easily, you know everyone and don't have to worry about someone looking strange who might harm you. Pickpockets and all, in a small village, are easier to notice. It's easier to have fun when you don't have to worry about other things.
No one said there are no events, but that a lot of the relaxed life they can live is due to the peacefulness of the countryside.
Same with La Poste and deliveries. It's something they don't have to worry about. In large cities, mailmen tend to just put a letter in your mailbox saying they came but no one was there (when it's false, I was at home the whole day). In the countryside it happens less often, they actually knock at your door or at least ring the bell. Because there are less people, because they know you, because it's a house with a garden so they can hide it somewhere behind the wall... This alone gives you more peace, you don't have to worry as much
@@gsbeakyes, probably due to Parisians in general & living in a much bigger city. I live in Toulouse & so many events going on that it’s hard to.choose from & people know each other in their neighborhood probably because they shop at the local stores in the neighborhood.. I’m always bumping into friends or people who live in my small residence 🌸
Agree. One can use a Relais Colis. The most convenient Relais are a tabac (open long hours with no break at midday), garage or supermarket or other shops in the town centre. I use Relais Colis very successfully. I also enjoy seeing the facteur with a Colissimo parcel. Chrono Poste you have to wait around for during the designated time slot for drop off.
I’m french Canadian and in all honesty I never considered about relocating to France (other EU countries I have thought)…until watching your videos. You opened my eyes. I appreciate your positive energy and transparency while sharing your experiences, challenges and advice on establishing a life in a new country and learning a new language. I absolutely love the community aspect of your lovely little village.. French is a beautiful language with full of nuances. Not the easiest to learn but with patience and practice you will get there 😊 I will continue to follow along your journey with great pleasure.
Workers in general, teachers, kids, everyone needs and deserves to have a better work-life balance.
Even from a French person perspective, these kind of comparison videos are fascinating. It's very factual, very accurate and informative about both lifestyle.
The last point about last mile delivery was hilariously accurate guys. But I guess if you're an American subscriber living in an area with a ton of package theft, knowing that in France, if you're not home, your local delivery driver won't leave your package out in the open unattended and will make it available in a secure delivery point for you to go get it at a later time can be super reassuring.
Keep'em coming guys! Another great vid!
Two very positive things I’ve noticed about France is that they don’t have advertising that brainwashes kids about food. In the US, kids’ tv shows are full of ads for unhealthy, hyper-processed foods. They’ll also refer to kids as picky eaters, which they aren’t, naturally. I’ve never seen that in France.
Another thing I like is that French pharmacies are individually-owned & a pharmacist can own only 1 pharmacy. The result is fantastic customer service, pharmacists who actually know many of their clients & a thoughtful selection of things they sell apart from medication.
I’ll also add that the expression “Americans live to work & the French work to live” is 💯% true. I’m glad you’re enjoying the lifestyle.
And in France, it is a legal obligation for processed food and candy ads to remind people to eat fruits and vegetables daily.
There are other legal obligations such as encouraging people to walk or bike when advertising for cars; limiting your alcohol consumption in beer/wine/liquor commercials; saving energy when advertising for utility companies; or to give the translation of foreign language slogans (including English first and foremost) in French. Etc.
Both of those things, but especially the first one are entirely law driven. Advertising toward kids is taking very seriously here.
Yes’ they are franchises.
There are ads in France. Less than in the US, but certainly more that from other countries. Big ads panels in suburbs have started to be more regulated in the last years.
Pharmacists can own as many pharmacies as they can afford in France. They're actually a real mob.
For countries like France, it's more interesting to keep people healthy. Because treatments, surgeries, meds, etc, are expensive
Un réel plaisir de voir que les américains que vous êtes aiment la France et ses traditions thanks you ❤
Oui! Merci 😊
I am Belgian and I like your comments; Love you.
Je suis française et Humaine !😅 et j'espère que vous allez bien vivre avec nous !!❤ Vive la différence, vive la solidarité et vive la France !!😊❤
Oui à tous !
On en tient encore une bonne, là !
Hello I am French, I have seen several of your videos and I find you so kind, friendly and open-minded! I hope your life in France will not disappoint you and I wish you the best! 🥰
When the package is small and does not require a signature, if you are away, the delivery person will put it in the mailbox if there is enough space (this is the case for amazon packages). If you are absent, you can ask for the package to be dropped off at a relay point, there are some in local shops near you. I live in the countryside, I know my postman and she is also very helpful
Merci! 😊
I am a french man and I enjoy so much my sundays. Great time for hiking and resting.
don't vote RN. They will destroy France if they get a chance
Yes!! We love French Sunday. I couldn't go back to living without them.
Aussi La sainte messe!
@@michaelgray5137every dimanches mornings or samedi evenings 🙏🏻✝️
I’m Franco-American & I love how my city is a whole different place on sunday.. the only people you encounter in the street in the morning are people going to get their bread & croissants for the family breakfast time.
We’ve lived in Occitanie for 4 years now, all of your videos have been spot on. We are struggling with language sophistication (the nuances), but have purchased a house, two cars, gotten our carte vitale, and all of the other things to live in an integrated manner; in retrospect we are integrating and have a vibrant social life……..contrary to public opinion, the French are warm, friendly and welcoming. We have found our home!
C'est très jolie l'Occitanie. Il faut un travail acharné pour apprendre le français, mais des millions de personnes avant vous y sont parvenu, alors vous ne ferez pas exception.
The 2 best forms of self-education: reading and travel. Very nice observations, told in a very sympathetic manner. Thank you.
Long story short, this is called civilized living. All the issues are not just French the same goes for almost all European countries. The USA is a money-driven circus show. Please enjoy your life here in French
Well said. And thank you.
I’m ready to pack my bags!
I have lived here in France for 24 years, born in Spain, lived in England and moved in 2000. I wonder if in the US you all take advantage of working all available hours because you have to pay for healthcare, (unless you are covered by your employer ?) there's no Sécu.
That's okay we'll be here when you need us.
Totally Agreed vive L'europe, vive la France.
Jason, I lived just North of Houston in Montgomery, Texas and did my undergrad in San Marcos. Cheers guys- love the videos. I think with each one we watch, my wife is warming to the idea of heading to France.
You'll be welcome !
Fellow Texan here from D/FW and, frankly, my Mrs and I would love to move to France. Love the channel!!
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon your video, but I’m glad I did. It's refreshing to gain an outsider's perspective on life in France and it makes me appreciate living here even more. Wishing you a wonderful life and continued openness to different cultures!
I love your content, you are living my dream. Take us to one of the fetes or concerts so we can live a little vicariously through you!
Très agréable de vous écoutez et vous entendre avec notre mode de vie. J'habilite le Sud Ouest de la France également et en tant qu'artisan, je ne le cache pas avoir des semaines longues, mais OUI le week-end est nécessaire au fonctionnement de la semaine suivante! Bonne remarque! Merci à vous et profitez bien.
We just discovered your channel and are loving it! My husband and I are a retired educator and a retired public interest attorney living in rural northeast Texas (a tiny town outside Longview). We had been daydreaming about relocating to Spain, but after a recent trip to France and reunion with our old French foreign exchange student, France is also a top potential destination for us, so your information is so helpful!
It's a small world...I (Raina) grew up in Greenville and went to school at Trinity Valley for my associates in Nursing. Go Cardinals! Good luck with your research! Spain is absolutely lovely, but we are team 🇫🇷 to live 😁
Bienvenue en France ! J'espère que vous trouverez votre bonheur dans notre merveilleux pays
Wonderful information and perspective of US compared to French life. Being 61, I'm old enough to remember life before malls and super Walmarts in Northern Ohio. Stores closed at 7pm and I do not think they were open on Sundays either. Going shopping was an event and plans to stay out for several hours was normal. Running to the corner for 1 thing was unheard of as you waited until shopping day. Shopping during the holidays was magical being all bundled up and going from store to store in the downtown area where there were Christmas lights and decorations. Of course there were the departments that have been around since the 1900 like JC Penney's and Sears & Roebuck. I spent summers on the family farm in Oklahoma and my German grandmother would cook big meals for midday and my uncle who worked the fields would come in for lunch and rest for a couple hours and then finish his day. The US had a European way of life b/c so many of the people were from Europe but with each generation, has lost that lifestyle and made way for the malls, one stop shopping, supercenters and next day deliveries.
La poste used to be a public company but it's still a kind of public service and many postmen postwomen have kept this nice spirit. Everything is not just about money 😊
it still is owned 100% by the state
On the things you mentioned, living in a town of a few thousand in rural Australia, I think I've got the best of both worlds. Easy, reliable home delivery, all-age community events, a generally relaxed lifestyle... 😌 ... oh, and I'm told that my accent when speaking French* is spot on! 😄
* from having a French-speaking partner.
I see your videos and can tell you are enjoying your stay in my belle France, good for you. I am from Florida but here already 22 years, the best decision of my life thanks to my French wife. Salut
Yes, trying to receive a delivery often exasperates us, and we are home 95% of the time, but after a few years of practice, we now usually succeed on the first delivery attempt.
One thing I've noticed living in the French countryside is the congeniality. Once people who live nearby have seen us several times, they will engage us in conversation if we are passing by -- and that's with our less-than-fluent grasp of French. Our "next-door" neighbours engage us every time we are outside. If we're working, the interruptions can be a bit less welcome, but if that's the price of such conviviality, I'll gladly pay the dues.
On another point, the French take pride in what the country produces, and the French support these producers by purchasing their products. Many food products will even have packaging that identifies the individual producer. I especially like AOP products -- you know exactly what you're getting regardless of the "brand." I remember campaigns in the U.S. trying to stimulate "buying American." Such campaigns would be superfluous here -- everyone "buys French" as a matter of course. Just look at automobiles. Most of the autos are Peugeots or Citroëns. As added bonuses, costs and environmental impacts are lessened since products do not generally travel long distances.
I appreciate your comments about advertising. When I visit the U.S. and watch television, I feel quite pressed into the back of the sofa when the unending commercials blocks start and the volume suddenly cranks up. I find it very stress-inducing. And it's not just television. One is assaulted through every possible medium in an effort to get a piece of America's consumerism addiction. I personally find all those billboards polluting the scenery particularly egregious.
Lastly, life in Europe simply runs at a slower pace. Most European countries maintain productivity per capita near to U.S. standards, but European countries achieve that productivity in significantly fewer workhours per year per capita. Go figure.
About the cars not entirely true. Toyota us a Japonese brand, profucted on the local soil... Whereas Peugeot and Citroen fan be producef in Rumania or Poland.... Despite these are French brands.
Regarding the work, basically french people are happier in work, and happier = more productive.
They just stress the productivity out of the people in the US..
American productivity is measured by the week whereas in Europe (France) they measure it by productivity per man hour, which will show that European productivity per man hour is higher than the US.
@@zalkemya4418 And don't forget Renault, the biggest of the French auto mftgrs. You also find a lot of German cars VW, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
Belle analyse 👏
Merci beaucoup pour votre bonne humeur, votre positivité et votre appréciation des bonnes choses de la vie 🫶
Except for the delivery (which I totally approve). I'm glad to see you seem to have a much more relaxing life in our lovely country.
Another great video.
There are major regional variances in France (for instance, where I used to live in Southern France some Supermarkets were open 7 am 'til midnight every day.) Now I live in Normandy. The odd supermarket opens only until 1pm. Boulangeries, however, open between 6 and 7.30am every day.
Another big difference between South and North is DIY stores. I'm a Brit, and the idea that DIY stores are closed on Sunday is a complete anathema. In the South they are sometimes open on Sunday morning. If I need a few screws to complete a task on a Sunday my nearest open DIY store is in the UK!
One thing that you said to which I can only totally agree is LaPoste (which includes Colissimo) is the best delivery service in France. A close second is DHL.
Hi @baguettebound! My husband and I have just purchased a home in Charente aaaaaand we just got our long-stay visas approved (first time). And can I just say, as the official admin person for my family (😅), I am so grateful to have your content as a guide. There have been some differences, but your videos have helped guide me in the right direction.
Thank you so much for all your efforts!
One helpful tip when dealing with French bureaucracy is to turn your request into a story -- the French love stories, especially when they get to become the hero who helps solve the problem. Of course, it helps a lot to speak at least some French. When we have an issue to work out, I'll often do the talking (even though my wife is French), because my accent apparently works wonders to make problems go away.
Bonjour!! I'm laid up sick today and just stumbled on your channel - I LOVE IT!!! I live part time not far from you all - in Belvès, in the Perigord Noir. I have so far watched 3 or 4 of your videos and you are NAILING it!!! The square pillows, the fabulous La Poste, adjusting to the French day. Our other life is on an island outside Seattle, so the country life was not new - but still so different in France! I'm in my 3rd year of being here Spring and Fall with wonderful friends here and loving it. Really looking into making the leap. Thank you for these great, validating insights!
16:43 French national here. About "La Poste".
Yes, the local postal service is amazing. Imagine USPS, but with the actual means to deliver you mail EVERY, SINGLE, MORNING.
And in the more rural areas, talk with people, get news etc ... Wonderful people.
The "other" services... Hmmm. Well. My personal advice, unless absolutely necessary, avoid.
A très bientôt 😉
Oui le dimanche tout les commerces sont fermés. Si vous avez besoin d'un œuf ou de farine pour finir votre gâteau, demandez à la voisine. Elle sera heureuse de vous dépanner.
Carrefour aussi sera heureux de dépanner.
Je suis dans les Yvelines , Ile de France , l'Auchan près de chez moi est ouvert 7 j/7j d'innombrables magasins de bricolage , électroménager , jardineries etc .. idem , seuls les tout petit commerces sont fermés le dimanche après midi
@@gerarddaclin542 et parfois, dans les campagnes, y a des marchés le dimanche, comme en ville.
@@padriandusk7107dimanche matin seulement
@@gerarddaclin542 Oui, il y a une grande différence entre vivre à la campagne et vivre en ville...
Packages : use services such as Mondial Relay where they deliver to a local shop and you pick up the package whenever you're close or shopping by
I'm French born and raised, and I lived in the US for a few years (and loved it), and I completely agree with your list of things.
I'm so glad you're enjoying living here so much. Definitely two different experiences from France to the US and vice versa, but so enriching. 🙂
I'm French, and your video just made me realise how lucky we are with all these tiny things you mentionned. French people are always complaining of their situation (you could add that as a negative point)...
How funny it is that American people are showing me how good it is to live in France... Thanks for that !!
How beautiful is your backyard?! Everything you mentioned resonated with me about the differences between France and the US and why their more deliberate and thoughtful way of living is so appealing. Weaning oneself off of 4 hour Amazon deliveries will be tough but as you point out that is manageable. Thanks for another great video!
I find it really refreshing to see my country from your perspective, thank you for that!
Bonjour vos video sont très bien faites pour toutes comparaisons un pays à autre avantage et inconvénients je vous souhaite une excellente vie en France 😊
We used to get deliveries to a 'mailbox store' when we were in Spain. Essentially a private 'post office box', so they get your packages, your mail, and will take your packages for pick up. Awesome idea that Amazon has now adopted in the US (dropping off returns at Kohl's or picking up a package at the CVS!)
These are great videos! Well done. Straight to the point and very well presented. Thank you.
I live in a little country area, so the little 2 "super markets are opened from 8 am to 8 pm, lunch time as well , and on Sunday morning
Le Dimanche c’est sacré mes amis!!
En tant que Français c’est un vrai plaisir de vous ecouter et je reconnais complètement ma France dans votre description et par la même occasion je perfectionne mon Anglais (us) comme ça.
Merci beaucoup et bonne vacances
Je suis français, c'est très intéressan de voir votre retour sur la vie en France! :)
I always have deliveries sent to a nearby shop that accepts a colis. Much less stress.
Also free.
I love that Europe does NOT advertise prescription drugs on TV or radio, car commercials, and programming you're already watching!!!!
Don't you think searching out what stores does what forces you to interact with the community? You are shopping with friends and neighbors.
I can live with it all, it just is what it is.
Une vidéo très intéressante sur les différences entre les USA 🇺🇸 et la France 🇫🇷 curieusement en tant que français, c’est l’inverse. mon rêve est de partir vivre aux États-Unis. Mais votre analyse est vraiment très instructive. 😊
6.30:There is a law in France which strictly regulates signs and advertising panels. This is why you see less of them on the side of the road. This is the reference of the law: loi du 12 juillet 2010 portant engagement national pour l'environnement (dite loi "ENE"), complétée par le décret n° 2012-118 du 30 janvier 2012 relatif à la publicité extérieure, aux enseignes et aux préenseignes.
And a very SENSIBLE French law.!! We are bombarded with enough advertising, let alone all along the roads!
This channel will blow up, triple down on this!!! You guys have such a natural command of the camera!
Wow, thank you for the kind encouragement!
Hey Guys really enjoying y'all videos - Same Houston, Dallas, East Texas combination here. Love the vibe y'all got.
Merci de découvrir la vraie France et de partager vos idées ainsi que les partages que vous aviez rencontrés ! Bienvenue en France :)
Merci beaucoup!
The length of school days is a real problem in France. It's too long for children to concentrate all day, have extra-curricular time (artistic or sporting activity) and then review lessons in the evening.
Very true I think they do it for parents convenience!
Ça c'est de mon point de vue, et j'ai travaillé dans un collège, une bêtise.
Il y a un problème, mais ce n'est pas celui-là, c'est un problème de génération, quand j'y étais, à l'école, je faisais ce qu'il y avait à faire, parce que j'ai été éduqué dans le sens du devoir. Maintenant, quoique l'on fasse, ou demande, ce sera toujours trop pour les fainéasses. Et les encourager dans cette voie ne les aidera en rien, et c'est très nuisible pour la société entière à moyen terme.
Pour le reste on pourrait discuter des programmes pédagogiques qui de mon point de vu n'encouragent pas la créativité, ou ne cherchent pas à valoriser les points forts des élèves, mais ça prendrait des heures.
@@MrBaymericI agree with you. Most things in France are based around making the life easier for the adults. It's actually quite sickening how low down children's needs are put in every day life in France.
Children also have to put up with adults routine, including eating ridiculously late, or being taken out for meals 2 hours past their bedtime, and expected to just behave even though they're tired.
@GreNouilleFestiV unless you've lived outside of France, you don't get to comment. Most people don't realise how things are in their own country until they've left it and got some comparisons.
@@kerryh3833eating together with parents is what makes French society. Apparently you have no idea how it works.
Great comparisons ! Concerning deliveries it has gotten a lot better these past years, but being in a rural area sure can make it harder. In case you don’t know, you might be able to find several drop spots around you, such as local shops near you or amazon / chronopost safes.
Nice vid. You have basically described the daily, weekly life of every European country and culture. The village or town centre is the life of your community, especially on Saturdays when we hold our markets. Nothing more relaxing than to go down in the morning, amongst the hustle and bustle of the market, and sit at a café terrace with friends for a coffee, or deux ou trois décis (Swiss French) de vin de la région.
And, btw, it's called football not just for your French viewers, but all here bar the Italians.... il calcio!
I'm French and I love your videos. Very interesting to see what foreigners think of France and how their adaptation is evolving.
Also living in the southwest (Toulouse area), happy to know you adopted the "chocolatine" way of life!😁
I have noticed a lot of these things, but instead of France, its been in Quebec, Canada. The slower pace of life, not over-scheduling, the local events that are amazing (in Montreal, community centers actually DO things for free for the neighborhoods). I think it comes down to when businesses are open during the days.
I guess my phone has heard my desire to leave the states and the algorithm pointed me to your channel.
Your videos are fun and refreshing. I’m jealous. I want to move right now.
We are circling the drain and it’s not going to get any better.
This video hit the nail on the head. (Does that translate?) All good points-thank you for such a thorough summary! Having traveled to France around 30 times, I can verify why France is considered the epitome of the "art of living." While many other European countries also deserve a nod, France stands out in its charm, lifestyle and most importantly, the correct work/life balance. This video has solidified my decision to apply for a long-stay visa instead of another short, 90-day trip. Your insights have really validated my plans. Merci. À toute à l'heure!🍵🥐🍷
Stay Happy guys and enjoy your life in France! Merci pour votre Cheerful video ;)
Merci! 😊
The Achilles heal in France is customer service by larger companies. It is really poor for deliveries except La Poste. La Poste delivery staff are brilliant.
It's a good thing to be able to choose between "quantity" & "quality".
About opening hours, keep in mind that countryside is different with cities or even town. In big cities shops have longer opening hours.
Hi all, 😂 when Jason said 14 " cut Horse" thank you Raina, that you didn't remember 14 in French.. This makes my day. Welcome & glad to see ppl like you. Hope Europe matches yours wishes. Where yours ancestors from? Where you're. 🎉
amazing !! I did not know that amaricans were moving to the french countryside lifestyle, british and dutch yes but I was not aware of americans , I lived almost 10 years in Houston( TX) and 15 years in London(UK) and came back to rural France summer 2022 with 2 young children ( my wife is from rural France though) , we needed time to adjust as you said but once you got the rhythm , it is pretty good , don't make me wrong France is facing a lot of difficulties and problems but living in rural/countryside will ease these difficulties greatly ,people who can move to the countryside ( working remotly ,etc) , they will find an improvement in their physical and mental health , at least this is what we have being experiencing so far.......
As a French, I can confirm that what you describe is true. But there is a difference between the countryside and the big cities where there are much more shops opened on Sundays.
For the delivery, the best solution is to choose a "point relais" , a shop that will receive the package for you. And then you can collect after when you are available.
One of the biggest differences is the location of shops. Bakeries, butchers, groceries etc. in France are in residential areas, often easily reachable on foot. In the USA, people usually drive for all shopping, often long distances.
I moved to the north of France in 2003 from Northern Ireland. I've enjoyed your videos and can relate to a number of your experiences. Your comments about delivery struck home. Yes, it's complicated in France, especially if it's not, La Poste. Don't believe them if on Friday they say 'next day'. Nah, it'll be Monday 😀 If I'm not sure I can be around I don't order stuff. Tuesday I can because I'm usually home the next two days. However one thing to try is the various types of Point Relais (which may be la Poste or supermarché). They deliver it to the 'shop', send you a texto and you get about a week to go collect. Really useful.
Bienvenue en France, appréciez les bons moments.
I'm from the US and I've heard so much about life in France being better in the ways that you mention. There is one behind-the-scenes difference between there and here: Infrastructure. From what I gather, there are laws that protect the smaller, family-owned shops in regards to opening times and even having sales, as well as restricting big-box stores. And the farmer's markets are probably the result of agricultural and trade policies that enable fresh produce-oriented smaller farmers. Doesn't every town (or neighborhood) have specific market days?
I can remember in the 1960s when stores were closed on Sundays too. And after 7:00 or 9:00 pm there wasn't much open either.
The frequent time off from school is probably what inculcates younger people to enjoy and appreciate all the vacation time they get once they get into the working world. Work-life balance!
You didn't mention one thing: Television. SO many Americans spend many hours every day watching it, that they don't have time to live the real life meeting friends, enjoying food, walking, enjoying those festivals and "doing one thing" in their time off like you mentioned. TV is the substitute for living life in America. I love the French way!
Vous devriez vous faire livrer en point relais, comme ça, pas de problème si on n'est pas là ou bien si le livreur n'est pas très dégourdi.
en general quand tu n'est pas la il dépose de toute façon le colis dans un point relais proche, du moins c'est comme ça que ca c'est toujours passé quand j'ai commandé un coli et que je n'étais pas la a la réception, mais je suis peut-etre juste chanceux x)
@@noakeyharding9437 oui mais dans ce cas c’est le livreur qui choisi le P.R. qui l’arrange, pas toujours le plus proche.
A tip for France countryside : If you are familiar with your local post-office worker and you don't have a lot of thiefs around, you can ask them to drop off the packages inside the house! Leave the door unlocked and they will ring the bell, drop the package off, and leave. It might not be the case everywhere but I've lived through a few places and it's has been common :)
Doesn't work in medium or big cities through, as you might get your package stolen or just too much different workers for it to be done!
Thanks for your videos. It’s so refreshing hearing your experiences here in France & they’re spot on! I’ve been here since 1985 & just love it. I was lucky to have had a French mom & American dad so know both US & France well. Just love your video & will watch the other ones too. I watch videos on TH-cam & they caught on to my dual nationality 😉 merci!
Glad you're enjoying your stay. Welcome to France
Thank you!
Hi, don't choose home delivery, choose a "point relais". No more stress.
that also sounds like a lovely reason to head into town - and enjoy a cup of coffee, perhaps a sweet treat, and chat with neighbors.
I cannot wait to emigrate to France! My only challenge will be breaking my amazon habit. 😅 It became so much easier to find exactly what you need versus driving all over town, searching through multiple places to find something that may only be close to what you need is the reason it became so pervasive. I look forward to going to the stores that specialize and discovering new ways of doing things. Thanks as always for your thoughtful and insightful observations!❤
France is the first market for amazon in Europe
You may grow out of your habit of ordering from Amazon..it can truly become an unconscious vice just because it exists. I’d rather take time looking through the local stores first, which are usually cheaper and/or can be of better quality than order from Amazon. Also because I’d rather give my money to the local community than to the multi-millionaire Bezos.. I can understand however that if you’re living in a small rural area, it is a convenient choice.
You’ll see that you will just don’t need it that much anymore…if you do? we still have it…
le service client en france c est toujours difficile , aprés vous pouvez avoir un livreur gentil qui vous appel avant ou qui revient de lui même dans la même journée mais ce n est pas une obligation de bien traiter le client comme chez les americain , c est plus une question de gentillesse individuelle.
I cut the cord 20 years ago. Streaming only, no ads. I want my time back and ads are just insulting.
Back in the 1970s, many places were closed on Sundays. We've lost that sense of rest.
Bonjour Baguette Bound :) I'm French and I live in Boulder County :)) Do you miss the Flatirons, the hikes, the outdoorsy experience, or the National Parks (they are incredible!) ? I drive (or ride my bike when the weather is nice) from Lafayette where I live to Boulder where I work, and I can see the mountains from Baseline Lake, 'my spot'. Do you miss Louisville, Boulder? Fun to see the other side moving to France from the US. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I am a 33 yo french dude from Paris, and when I was15, I had the chance to travel to Oklahoma for a whole year (which has similarities with the texan way of life if I'm right).
I had such a great time watching your video, thinking backwards ahah
The thing that I noticed and remember about my american countryside experience is the constant need to drive a car. Cities were not design to walk around !
Thanks again for your video, you guys chose one of the most beautiful region of France to move ❤
I’m an American living on the island of Corsica and that adds another layer of difference to the Continent but I wouldn’t trade my life here for anything except perhaps during July and August when we are overrun by vacationers from the mainland
I love your positive energy, even when speaking about those poor delivery services we have in France…
I'm French welcome to your family in our country! we have a great country and like all others we have beautifull things and some others less beautifull...discover and enjoy! :)
Interesting thoughts.
What you call "a village of 29 000 people", we call it a town. A village will be more a few hundreds people. A hamlet, a few dozens.
Despite not being so prevalent like in the US, we still think there are too many ads. Fortunately not for medications or lawyers.
About the deliveries, yes, it's a problem for the customer when you're in the countryside. On another hand, you have to think about the delivery guy who need to tour all the region to be in time for his schedule, which also must be a nightmare. So the whole system should be reconsidered, but it's whole different issue.
She clearly said "29 hundred" people, not 29 thousand! It's between a big village and a very small town, isn't it?
@@st-ex8506 Oh, ok, fair enough. I have a hard time with the dozens of hundreds which we don't use often in french. :)
Yes, 2900 will be a big village, or still a small town.
@@delphzouzou4520 It's actually a little noticed difference between UK English and American English. In the UK we would be much more likely to say 'two thousand nine hundred'. Americans talk much more often in hundreds even when it's into the thousands. It can even confuse us Brits at times when they do it.
oh you live in Dordogne ! One of the most beautiful and country side department in France imo. There are many british buying houses over there ^^ Part of my family lives in Dordogne as well. I see you're enjoying and that's great.
Supermarkets are open all day. In the big cities, shops also remain open all day. 🥰🥰🥰
Thanks for the video and breakdown. My wife is French - we are looking to move back to be near her parents (Toulouse area). I don't really speak French much but I understand somewhat and ready to exit the Midwest. Looking at your content to give myself tips.... thanks!
The delivery thing would drive me nuts. We get tons through Amazon and Sams Club. We lived in the Czech Republic for 3 years and discovering tesco delivered groceries was a game changer.
Hi, French family that used to live in California here. Your video nails it down, well done! For viewers, the countryside component of it is very important. Some of what is described (especially community, somewhat shop hours, for sure big chain stores, same day delivery) is much different the more urban the area gets, unfortunately for the community part of it… French’s small villages communities are tightly bound, and as you noted organized around the village as opposed to around a school or a parish, not so much anymore in cities unfortunately.
Living in country side is amazing, in Europe I guess. I'm french and and was amazed by your video. I live in a "town" (~150k, nothing compare to the US) and it's nice too. There are great neighborhood where I am.
Great video, thanks :)
Il y a un mot pour décrire ce que vous tentez d'exprimer, il s'agit de la convivialité, un style de vie plutôt cool que nous partageons avec les Italiens.
Really interesting to have to point of view of an american couple.
Personally im from Gironde and really in border to Dordogne, feelin lucky because Dordogne is for me easily one of the best departement in France, if not the best.
The Perigord Noir is something else, La Roque-Gageac, Sarlat etc.... all the medieval-age monument, prehistorian site, cavern, local food, hiking etc...
Amazing departement, pure escape.