I'm going to take a moment here to attempt to mythbust some stereotypes about the French people. For the record, my lovely, non-judgmental friends, this list has been compiled to represent the most common stereotypes that Americans associate with the French. And my decision to award something a big old T or F (that's true or false), is based solely on my personal experiences. Got it? This ain't science, and it's not a sociological study. I know this because that was my major and I have never used my major for anything. Including this. So. Enjoy!
Major French Stereotypes, Say Americans
1. "Ooh la la!"
This is way true. French people say this all the time. It can be "ooh" or "oh" or "ah," and the "la"-count may go up or down depending on who is speaking and how emphatic they are trying to be. But seriously, I hear this all the time, from everyone. And it's more glorious every time.
2. They smell/don't bathe/armpit hair, etc.
I give this myth a big fat FALSE. While it is winter, and maybe people get a little smellier in the warmer months (who doesn't?), I have not run into an epidemic of un-showered people. In fact, one of my favorite things about France is the two-kiss greeting, because it gives you an opportunity to get really close to men you are just meeting. And so you get to smell them, and they often smell great...so you hope you have the opportunity to get close to them again...win-win!
3. Smoking
Now, I am not going to say that EVERY PERSON IN FRANCE smokes. That's really obviously not true. My host parents don't smoke, for example. But, literally (and I mean that LITERALLY, not the fake-version of the word literally), actually, every young French person I know smokes. A lot. All the time. You can't do it in bars, but I've been to a few house parties where I am the only person--literally--who is not smoking. So...mostly true!
4. Womanizers
This one is more of a wash. I can't decide. Because some men I have met here in France are totally normal, or boring. But then I have met a few doozies that have been so incredibly forward in their intentions that I cannot deny this stereotype. Probably the most forward men I have ever met (including New York construction workers) have all been in France.
5. Clothes (stripes, berets, moustaches, fancy all the time, super stylish)
Most of the stereotypes I have found relating to fashion have been very true. The French love stripes, the vast majority of people (including college students) don't go out in sweats, almost everyone dresses very classically. No, people don't wear berets, and facial hair is pretty much the same as it is in the States. But yeah, you should try to look good if you come to France. Not trendy, but classic and put-together. Oh, and most French women (meaning, people a little older than me and up) don't wear tons of makeup. That's true too. But they look amazing anyway. Sigh.
6. Surrender
I have no experience with this one, as I am not currently in a war with anyone in France, but I will say that French people enjoy talking about American politics, and they are not afraid to argue. So I would say, false!
7. Eat really "badly" (cheese, butter, wine, chocolate, etc) and "weirdly" (frogs, snails, etc)
The food stereotypes are all true. You can't get substitutions on menus, everyone eats their cheese and the fatty part of the meat, drinks wine like it's water, etc. Escargot is everywhere, along with steak tartare, frogs' legs, tongue, liver, etc. But it's just not....weird here. And the portions are much more in tune with what a person should be eating. You're never going to get a giant portion of fatty foie gras--but you will get enough, and it will be heavenly.
8. Rude
French people are not rude. (Also, New Yorkers are not rude.) In my experience, if you are nice first, if you try to do the right thing--come prepared, attempt French, smile, use the "vous" (polite version of "you")--people will be people. But if you assume everyone will speak English to you because you're American, or if you don't do your research before you go somewhere, or if you're a bitch...well, I don't blame them! False, my friends.
9. Effeminate men
Overall, I don't think men in French are more effeminate than anyone else. They tend to be skinnier than men in American (not hard). They dress better, which is fun for subway watching. Some carry bags, which is just practical. But they are just different, culturally. And trust me, there are some hotttttt French men.
10. Racist
Honestly, I have no context for this one. I am pretty white, despite my attempts at rapping, and so I don't have any experience in the kind of racism that is said to permeate France. I have heard of certain areas outside of Paris where I could go to see racism, but that's not very high on my list of things to do. So I can't really say.
Finally, I would also like to say that the French like to replace some words with sounds. This is something I do occasionally. Sometimes words don't cut it, you know? But they do it all the time, especially blowing air out of their mouths quickly. I will demonstrate it for you sometime, and upload a video. But it's late here.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Killing Time
I'm sitting here at music school, and I'm tired. I received a text this morning as my alarm went off at 8am, moving up my starting time to 8:30 (from 9:15). Good thing I was planning on waking up then.
With a lack of other distractions lately, and the fact that it has finally started to act like winter, I've been hanging out chez moi a lot. I read the 2nd and 3rd Hunger Games books in 24 hours. Yesterday I finally swept the floor. Tomorrow I'm doing laundry (I went the entire month of January without doing any laundry except a small batch of hand washing). Life in Paris in the dead of winter is just not so exciting.
There has been a lot of unrest in the au pair community of late. The weather, the sick kids, the painful reality that we are glorified baby-sitters--these things are all taking their toll. I, for one, miss the autonomy of my previous lives. I am somewhat sick of responding to everyone's whims except my own. I want to be making the decisions, I want a real salary to spend how I see fit instead of watching it dwindle because I had to buy contact solution this week. Any purchase in Paris is a big purchase because it is such a giant percentage of what I make!
And what's more, I miss home. I love Paris, I really do. But I miss my mom and dad, I miss my dogs. I miss knowing where everything is in my grocery store, and I miss cheap group dinners. The unrest I feel is slippery and changing all the time. Some days I feel I could be happy with a permanently international life, but other days I cannot fathom always spending an arm and a leg just to go visit the people I love.
Dunno. Maybe it's just winter. But yesterday was the mark of 6 months left as an au pair. And while I'm not exactly counting down the days (seriously, I do love this city), I will say with certainty that I will not be staying as an au pair past my contract date, and I will not be sad when I'm finished. I'll always love the kids, as I have always loved the kids that came before, but I think this experience is better suited for shorter amounts of time.
With a lack of other distractions lately, and the fact that it has finally started to act like winter, I've been hanging out chez moi a lot. I read the 2nd and 3rd Hunger Games books in 24 hours. Yesterday I finally swept the floor. Tomorrow I'm doing laundry (I went the entire month of January without doing any laundry except a small batch of hand washing). Life in Paris in the dead of winter is just not so exciting.
There has been a lot of unrest in the au pair community of late. The weather, the sick kids, the painful reality that we are glorified baby-sitters--these things are all taking their toll. I, for one, miss the autonomy of my previous lives. I am somewhat sick of responding to everyone's whims except my own. I want to be making the decisions, I want a real salary to spend how I see fit instead of watching it dwindle because I had to buy contact solution this week. Any purchase in Paris is a big purchase because it is such a giant percentage of what I make!
And what's more, I miss home. I love Paris, I really do. But I miss my mom and dad, I miss my dogs. I miss knowing where everything is in my grocery store, and I miss cheap group dinners. The unrest I feel is slippery and changing all the time. Some days I feel I could be happy with a permanently international life, but other days I cannot fathom always spending an arm and a leg just to go visit the people I love.
Dunno. Maybe it's just winter. But yesterday was the mark of 6 months left as an au pair. And while I'm not exactly counting down the days (seriously, I do love this city), I will say with certainty that I will not be staying as an au pair past my contract date, and I will not be sad when I'm finished. I'll always love the kids, as I have always loved the kids that came before, but I think this experience is better suited for shorter amounts of time.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Flying Out the Door
This is a post written as I am flying out the door for class. I hit my snooze two-too-many times after taking the kid to school this morning. Luckily I'm freshly showered from last night and full from two eggs and crackers (and some Dairy Milk) for breakfast.
Sorry I been neglecting you all. Life has just been rather busy and also fun. I'm not 100% down with the whole au pair scene at the moment as well, and the last thing you want to read on here is a ton of complaints from the girl living in Paris. Amirite? But my REAL LIFE part is pretty freaking sweet. Feeling good.
I broke my caffeine addiction, inadvertantly! Not sure if I was confusing caffeine withdrawals and hangovers at some point this winter? Anyway, coffee now gives me a buzz! And I am buzzing this morning. I'm feeling especially sparkly and peppy, so watch out Parisian. Maybe it's because I bought turquoise skinny jeans yesterday. Maybe it's because I exercised like a freak yesterday (6 miles of walking, 2.5 of running). Whatever it is, my endorphins are flowing like a river, and I'm bopping along to music. How did I forget the joy of the morning dance party? Who am I??
It definitely helps that it's felt like spring here. 40s and 50s all the time, most days. There are buds on the trees, guys. This must be unseasonable but I am loooving it. It's like I'm back in Atlanta but much much cooler. Also, I've sort of stopped brushing my hair. And I definitely am in need of a haircut, because it's been since May. May!!
Work has been driving me crazy, and I promise I will go into more detail at a later date. Breaking the streak of not-posting RIGHT NOW!
Sorry I been neglecting you all. Life has just been rather busy and also fun. I'm not 100% down with the whole au pair scene at the moment as well, and the last thing you want to read on here is a ton of complaints from the girl living in Paris. Amirite? But my REAL LIFE part is pretty freaking sweet. Feeling good.
I broke my caffeine addiction, inadvertantly! Not sure if I was confusing caffeine withdrawals and hangovers at some point this winter? Anyway, coffee now gives me a buzz! And I am buzzing this morning. I'm feeling especially sparkly and peppy, so watch out Parisian. Maybe it's because I bought turquoise skinny jeans yesterday. Maybe it's because I exercised like a freak yesterday (6 miles of walking, 2.5 of running). Whatever it is, my endorphins are flowing like a river, and I'm bopping along to music. How did I forget the joy of the morning dance party? Who am I??
It definitely helps that it's felt like spring here. 40s and 50s all the time, most days. There are buds on the trees, guys. This must be unseasonable but I am loooving it. It's like I'm back in Atlanta but much much cooler. Also, I've sort of stopped brushing my hair. And I definitely am in need of a haircut, because it's been since May. May!!
Work has been driving me crazy, and I promise I will go into more detail at a later date. Breaking the streak of not-posting RIGHT NOW!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Photos
Got the blogger app on my old iPhone, which means with my newfound wifi, I can post photos SUPER easily. Enjoy!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Mornings
Today I had one of those morning where, no matter what was happening, I did NOT want to be cold. NO WAY. So I slipped out of bed, and started piling on layers. Leggings, my only pair of sweatpants here (which are lululemon and, therefore, allowed), tank top, sweater. Then I got out my best winter investment ever, my sleeping bag coat. I put on a wool scarf, furry headband, and my mittens. Bring it on, winter.
I was not one smidgen cold walking mon enfant to school this morning. But then I got to thinking, man is my job inconvenient in winter. Because I have to be at my family's apartment at 7:55am, and then I just put on his coat and walk my kid to school. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there, and it's dark right now. And, as a person who hates both cold and also wearing coats, I just am not very motivated to drag myself out of bed for ONE STINKING HALF HOUR so I can walk a child across a park. It makes me whiny, and I've stopped caring about looking even halfway decent. (Hopefully I'll start caring more as the sun starts rising earlier.)
Let's see...today I learned how to say "You're kidding!" (Tu plaisantes!) Also found out they don't make my birth control in France (overshare?). I made top hats and cornflake cakes for the birthday party tomorrow. (Top hats are a marshmallow topped with chocolate and a smartie (which is like an M&M), and cornflake cakes are cornflakes and chocolate...c'est tout!)
Something smells funky in here. I wore my 9 euro shoes today and they are freaking comfortable. I think I may have just made an amazing purchase. Also, the serious tread means I'm breaking these puppies out if we ever have snow (which we won't; still hasn't even frosted here!).
Took this the other day, it was on facebook, but I like it a lot:
I was not one smidgen cold walking mon enfant to school this morning. But then I got to thinking, man is my job inconvenient in winter. Because I have to be at my family's apartment at 7:55am, and then I just put on his coat and walk my kid to school. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there, and it's dark right now. And, as a person who hates both cold and also wearing coats, I just am not very motivated to drag myself out of bed for ONE STINKING HALF HOUR so I can walk a child across a park. It makes me whiny, and I've stopped caring about looking even halfway decent. (Hopefully I'll start caring more as the sun starts rising earlier.)
Let's see...today I learned how to say "You're kidding!" (Tu plaisantes!) Also found out they don't make my birth control in France (overshare?). I made top hats and cornflake cakes for the birthday party tomorrow. (Top hats are a marshmallow topped with chocolate and a smartie (which is like an M&M), and cornflake cakes are cornflakes and chocolate...c'est tout!)
Something smells funky in here. I wore my 9 euro shoes today and they are freaking comfortable. I think I may have just made an amazing purchase. Also, the serious tread means I'm breaking these puppies out if we ever have snow (which we won't; still hasn't even frosted here!).
Took this the other day, it was on facebook, but I like it a lot:
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Quick Update
I just tried to write a post and it was awful. So I guess 2012 has taken all my blog-writing skills away from me. Or maybe it's because I've written only 3 times in the month. What's that phrase? Use it or lose it? Oops.
So let's see. I just got back from Montparnasse because I had to go to Fnac and buy my new French books. I also got a new notebook (why are all French notebooks made with graph paper? what's up with that?), some tape, and a pair of trendy wedges. Guys, I'm super pumped about the wedges, because they have treads on the bottom, and so they are obviously the perfect winter going-out shoe. Also, they were 9 euros!
It was incredibly windy out there. I hear we're gusting to about 50 mph, and I believe it. I had to help an old woman across the street because she couldn't hack it in the wind. Also saw a TON of metal signs blowing around, and a toilet on the street...not sure about that one. However, it's also sunny and mid-50s, which is making me dream of bare legs and daffodils, instead of facing the reality that it's the beginning of January, and it's likely to be freezing again sometime before March. Tricky, this weather. +1 for going out in a jacket that's not down or wool, -1 for disillusioning me. Wash.
I could tell you all about my trip to England/Scotland. I could tell you about the horrendous bus rides and that I've done the ferry and the Eurotunnel now. I could tell you how little I saw in London, how gorgeous Surrey is, how many camp people I saw, etc. But I'm late to pick up my charge, who turned 4 on Monday. And tomorrow I'm baking cakes with his mother in preparation for a knight-themed shindig on Saturday. Plus I have two friends celebrating birthdays this weekend. I guess 2012 is going to be...busy? I can handle that.
No pictures, because I really am late. I promise to post again in less than 2 weeks. Maybe with stories, or something.
So let's see. I just got back from Montparnasse because I had to go to Fnac and buy my new French books. I also got a new notebook (why are all French notebooks made with graph paper? what's up with that?), some tape, and a pair of trendy wedges. Guys, I'm super pumped about the wedges, because they have treads on the bottom, and so they are obviously the perfect winter going-out shoe. Also, they were 9 euros!
It was incredibly windy out there. I hear we're gusting to about 50 mph, and I believe it. I had to help an old woman across the street because she couldn't hack it in the wind. Also saw a TON of metal signs blowing around, and a toilet on the street...not sure about that one. However, it's also sunny and mid-50s, which is making me dream of bare legs and daffodils, instead of facing the reality that it's the beginning of January, and it's likely to be freezing again sometime before March. Tricky, this weather. +1 for going out in a jacket that's not down or wool, -1 for disillusioning me. Wash.
I could tell you all about my trip to England/Scotland. I could tell you about the horrendous bus rides and that I've done the ferry and the Eurotunnel now. I could tell you how little I saw in London, how gorgeous Surrey is, how many camp people I saw, etc. But I'm late to pick up my charge, who turned 4 on Monday. And tomorrow I'm baking cakes with his mother in preparation for a knight-themed shindig on Saturday. Plus I have two friends celebrating birthdays this weekend. I guess 2012 is going to be...busy? I can handle that.
No pictures, because I really am late. I promise to post again in less than 2 weeks. Maybe with stories, or something.
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