| 10 Things Americans Won't Understand in France |
Hours of Operation
Store hours in France are frustrating. Most establishments are not open 7 days a week and often close early in the evening. Likewise don't expect to go shopping, banking, or errand running around lunch time because you may be greeted by a locked door.
The French take their breaks very seriously. Fifteen minutes before closing means not getting inside.
Luckily some French stores have started extending their hours of operation, especially around touristy areas. Many Americans don't shop at Walmart at 3AM but it's comforting to know we have the liberty to do so. We take this for granted in the States.
The Food
The French will drench snails in garlicky butter yet call peanut butter or pumpkin pie "disgusting." A whopping 89% of Americans and Canadians eat peanut butter, the other 11% have food allergies or are just plain weird. Well in France, there are no Reeses cups, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter beer, peanut butter cheesecakes nor PB brownies. If that doesn't make you cancel your flight to Paris CDG, I'm not sure what will.
But, my fellow Americans, it gets worse. I once went camping with a few French friends and asked who brought the ingredients to make "s'mores."
"S'mores, what are s'mores?"
| "What are s'mores?" they said. |
They looked at me as though I had 3 heads. I peered over the mountain's edge to see if jumping from this height would kill me and magically take me back to the States.
What else about "food" would bug Americans in France? After living here a total of 2 years:
