PHOTO: The French have a leg up on vibrant, livable cities with iconic buildings, great public transportation, and public art.
As most anyone who has lived in a new country will tell you, every country has its charms, but none has all the answers. We love our two home countries, but after 10 years, there are still things the French do that drive us absolutely bonkers---and different thing that drive us crazy when we go back to the states. Below, a very personal and subjective list of what we think the French get right--and wrong---and a corresponding list for the States. I’ve asked British expat friends here to make the same list for the UK (they’ve contributed to the French list as well) so we have three countries represented. Knowing we are clearly dealing in generalizations, here we go:
The French just don’t get..
- customer service
- a full work week
- the global economy
- how to design a parking lot
- the foodie revolution
- the farm to table obsession (they invented it, now many bistros are abandoning it)
- a streamlined bureaucracy
- the importance of speaking English
- queuing in line
- apologizing
- entreprenurism
Photo: the entreprenurial Americans are famous for sprouting new ideas and companies, while the French aspire to be beaureaucrats. (garden sculpture at the Palazzo Murat Hotel in Positano).
The French totally get….
- historic preservation
- a leisurely lifestyle
- outdoor food markets
- the café culture
- violent crime prevention
- an straightforward, simple income tax
- sauces
- the sit-down family dinner
- frugality & recycling
- solidarity
- family values
- public transportation
- drinking in moderation
PHOTO: Phooey! In France, those pesky customers are always wrong.
Americans just don’t get….
- vacation time
- universal health care
- a work-life balance
- gun control
- round-abouts
- the importance of speaking a foreign language
- European politics
Americans totally get...
- IT and business innovation
- customer-focused shopping hours
- the fresh food explosion
- career ambition
- retail and service staff training
- cocktails
The UK just doesn’t get…
- a consistent approach to good food
- patriotism
- leisure time
- saving up
- sensible child rearing
PHOTO: The Brits gets high marks for their gentleness and humour.
The UK totally gets…
- global issues
- tolerance, courteousness, friendliness
- service
- pageantry
- beer
- good TV
- competitiveness
- fast, universal internet service
I’m sure y’all have some to add. Even a list from another country perhaps. And I’m pretty sure many of you will take issue with some of our choices--bring on the debate!
In the COMMENTS: If you were interested in last week's post on French and American health care and The Bitter Pill article, please do not miss the comments that poured in. We heard from the French, from expats, Italians and Canadians. We heard from Colette and Chris (of European Markets) who have recently experienced the US system, and expat Kiki (of Snefnug Studio) who has just been through a major medical ordeal in France. Nicole talks about her experience with health care in India. Their answers will surprise you. I found everyone's experiences and opinions fascinating and informative, and I'm so pleased to hear from so many folks on this important issue.
On the lighter side, Jonelle had promised to send her recipe for Oh So Good Pie, and you can now find it in the Comment section of this post. Merci Jonelle, it looks sinful!
