6 STRANGE THINGS I DO NOW IN THE U.S *BECAUSE* I LIVE IN FRANCE

For over a decade here on Oui In France, I’ve been discussing cultural differences between the U.S. and France as well as what it’s been like for me living abroad in France as an American (among other things of course). Part of living abroad is adapting to a new culture and experiencing all the trials and tribulations that come with it. Then, one day there comes a point when you’ve adapted so well to French life that you start incorporating French habits into how you do things when you visit your home country. To that end, here are six strange things I do when I’m stateside that are all precisely because I live in France. ;-)

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Salut! I'm Diane, an American who has lived in France since 2012 and the creator of the blog/YouTube channel Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond." I make videos on French culture topics, France vs. US culture comparisons, with a sprinkling of food, travel, and language topics and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!

❤️ / / B L O G

▶️ / / F O L L O W

Disclosure: The description box contains affiliate links where I may make a small commission on purchases made through my links, at no additional cost to you.

[vxl]

The only good french way to deal with an unfinished bottle of sparkling wine is not to put it into the fridge with a spoon. It is to finish it.

[urquizabr]

Being an outsider to both cultures, I just want remark that social politeness is amazing, it doesn't matter your background. We don't need have a 24/7 smile on our faces, but saying hallo, thank you and other polite phrases is the minimum everyone expects from a fellow human being.

[sanjuroardonar]

I remember a small anecdote that pointed to a funny little cultural difference between France and the US. A few years ago, I (French guy) was on Business trip in the US. I had a few days off and went visiting some Civil Ward historical sites. I was in a shop selling Civil War items and books, and I realised I didn’t know much about the US Civil War, so I went to the counter and asked the guy here if he could recommend a good Civil War history book to me.

He put three books on the counter and started explaining:

“Well, I think these are the best you can find.


This one is a rather simple straightforward one. You will find here all the facts about the Civil War, when it started, how it ended, battle dates, armies involved.

This one is a little bit more comprehensive. Not only will you find the basic facts, but it will also give you some information about their political and economic background.


This last one here is a fully comprehensive study. It explains the buildup of events that politically led to the Civil War. Of course, it will also give you all the facts, along with detailed analysis of their economic and political background. You can
see it earned a Pulitzer… Can’t argue with that.


I would recommend this one (pointing at the first one).”


I was surprised and may even have started. I expected he would conclude by recommending the last one. Had he been French, I’m absolutely positively totally sure he would have concluded by recommending the last one.


Let’s be clear, I don’t blame him in any way. He did a good job, gave me all the information I needed to select a book according to my expectations. Not drawing any conclusion here, I’m just amused at the different attitudes the booksellers will adopt by default:


French: “Of course you will want the most comprehensive book (but here are the others)”
US: “Of course will want the simplest book (but here are the others)”

[warenn]

Hi!
I’m French and just started out as an English teacher. Just wanted to say that I find your videos very informative, as it allows me to see the French from an outside perspective.
Now I can understand how people perceive us in other countries, and also the root of certain stereotypes and misconceptions about us (and vice versa).
Also love your attitude about discovering another culture, never judgmental, always just eager to learn the differences.
Your channel broadens minds, keep up the good work! 👍🏼

[JamesYelverton]

It just a good thing to be polite to people no matter where you are.
My experience in France so far when Im visiting is that people are friendly if you are, I have NO FRENCH NONE NADA, but I smile and say Bonjour and try, i have had some hilarious situations with having French people trying to help me say a little bit to help the situation. Buying a house in Vendee in 2 weeks and moving April...Cant wait

[christianc]

Le coup de la cuillère ? Bof, je suis champenois et je pense que la meilleure solution est de finir la bouteille.🤣
Sinon il existe des bouchons spéciaux qui s'adaptent sur tout type de goulot et qui assurent une très bonne étanchéité.

[santamanone]

Fortunately here in the South we still say please, thank you, sir/ma’am, have a great day, etc. to everyone we have contact with.

[davidhaley]

The strangest thing I do now when I return to the U.S. is to long deeply to get back on the plane and fly back to France just after I arrive.

[ArthurBreur]

Bonjour! I just finished my first full day (PREVIEWING) living in France. (We are getting our long-stay visas and moving here in three months, but are visiting our apartment now for 3 weeks.) I feel like my French is good enough to get along in a pinch, but bad enough to warn people about first. Warning French people first about my VERY beginning French -- in a fairly well pronounced way -- seems to create good intentions and get folks in a helpful and friendly mood. I LOVE the standard of being more polite here -- it has ALWAYS been my normal way of operating. I'm HOPING to shift into later dinners and later nights in general, but I seem to be a genetic lark (i.e., and EARLY bird). As to tipping IN FRANCE -- I just tipped tonight here in France because I was VERY grateful to the good service and good will at the restaurant tonight. With all that said, I wanted to thank you SO MUCH, Diane, for your hard work on these videos. You are one of the go-to channels for my transition to being a French expat from the US!

[Faguoyo]

The spoon thing is a legend that even us, French people, believes in a lot, but it's sadly not true.

[rosiebowers]

I just finished reading the "strange noises French people make" and I can't stop laughing. I had never noticed some of these. You have such a good sense of observation! One thing I love is when a small kid does "the growl", it's so stinking cute!

[Mikethemerciless]

I am in northern France. The weather here is colder, but what I love about France is that we're okay with it because we don't really need to drive a car anywhere. I know all my neighbors, and we get together for parties. We play board games and share meals. I can't say that about the US. In America, you leave your neighbors alone. Here, they come by to check on you, if only to say Bonjour.

[bdwon]

You have made me comfortable being super polite at all times with everyone! Merci, DEE Ann

[ericmitchell]

Hi Diane, great video. A couple of things I do in the states, and they're subtle, I keep my fork in my left hand and knife in the right while eating, none of that switching back and forth. And I keep my hands at the table 'above board', that is I don't rest my hands in my lap. Oh, and I really lean into the apero in the afternoon. 🙂

[frenchable]

I was born and raised in France and live in the USA since 1987. I totally shed the French way of kissing on cheeks. Now I hug.😀 but like you Diane. I am still over polite, this seems totally ingrained! As I said before, you adapted to “in Rome, do like the Romans do”. I lived in France, Belgium, and America and was very happy in the 3 countries applying this philosophy. I totally enjoy your podcast.

[kristenkim]

I have an American expat friend who has lived in Paris since 2016 and she also makes the raspberry sound on a regular basis. She also eats dinner late, but since she's retired, she often doesn't get out of bed until 10 am, so she eats breakfast and lunch later.

[chapichapo]

2.45: Wagner is german and they also prononce V in german as in french and not Wa. So the english pronociation is the weird one !

[branlotin]

Le coup de la cuillère, c'est du pipeau. Les bulles dans les effervescents sont fonction de la pression, c'est la loi de Henry "à température constante et à saturation, la quantité de gaz dissous dans un liquide est proportionnelle à la pression partielle qu’exerce ce gaz sur le liquide".

[juliegale]

Not so much me living in France but visiting my mother who got really Frangerlise when she remarried a Frenchman many years ago. Her French was perfect as she’d had French parents. She is now long gone but my son and I only reminded ourselves of her the other day by remembering her very French ‘Bouff’. But no matter how long she lived there she was always known as ‘The English Woman’ by the way she strode out when she walked to town.

[Vaelios]

As a French, I don't tip often in France, but when I went to the US and Canada, I tipped 17% every meal despite not liking the tipping culture. I 100% agree, it's not the waiter's fault!