For an expat blogger, it's irresistable to keep a sharp eye out for those fun little cultural differences that are so different from the States. They're pretty easy to find in France, since the French are, um, a bit special. Of course I try to catch these moments on camera. So here are a few of the "Only in France" photos I've collected over the years. Be sure to share any "Only in France" moments you've had yourself!
Dogs in restaurants, always
Farm-fresh ingredients are golden. In Cluny, a egg vending machine with local eggs! And in every little village, a small farmer selling eggs, or honey, or goat cheese.
The #MeToo movement is just now arriving, and it's going to be a hard sell. Ads like these, for a shop-vac and diving trips, are still common.
You mean...your carpenter doesn't look/dress like this?
Interesting Translations Abound
Long before the US discovered pink hair, shades of magenta, burgundy, and flaming orange were hugely popular in France, and not just among the young. You still see them a lot.
Trompe l'oeil painting on buildings are a thing here in France.
The French have a very casual attitude toward sex (I cannot count the number of times I've seen men selling off their entire porn collection at flea markets, for all the world to see). And their reputation for l'amour of course includes fabulous lingerie!
The French stereotypes--the beret, the baguette, the bicylette, the Gauloises cigarette, the scarf, the accordion music--they're all here!
Laundry hangs cheerfully out of every window on a sunny day
Then there's the iconic French café/ brasserie
And of course the wonderful, stylish French lifestyle--joie de vivre!
In the COMMENTS:Cynthia M, your mom made FRESH coconut cake? I'm dead impressed. Maybe I will try it. Sounds like you've got some great coconut busting skills! Tom, it seems we will be getting out of "jail" on Monday, Yay! Jane talks about the catastrophe that has hit the French wine-growers: a late hard freeze (after warm March weather) that has destroyed a huge part of this year's crop. It's very sad. Natalia, Cynthia B. and Colleen, thank you for the very kind comments, as always.
Favorite READS: Going back to our wine-tasting posts, our reader Jan recommends a book called Into Wine, by Olivier Magny. I can recommend it too, it's a fun and interesting read. And our reader-in-residence Natalia has a new book for us, that will transport us to Italy: The Venice Sketchbook, by Rhys Bowen.
