French Lifestyle Habits I’m Slowly Embracing

Moving to a new country means adapting to a new culture and a new way of life. Some aspects of the French lifestyle were easy to incorporate, like saying bonjour to everyone I meet, shopping at the weekly market and eating cheese after my meal. Others have taken some getting used to. And some — as I’ll reveal in a future post — will never be part of my daily practice. But that’s okay.

Here's a few facets of French life I wasn’t sure about at first, but I’ve slowly come to embrace.

Slowing down on Sunday

Most stores are closed on Sundays in France, especially in the countryside. Near me, a few boulangeries and one small grocery store are open on Sunday mornings. And a café here and there. Sundays are for spending time with your family and friends. I may still work a little on Sunday, but I have learned that it’s okay to have a day of rest. If I am in the mood for shopping and being social, there is almost always a “vide-grenier” (community yard sale) being held in a nearby village. Sunday, in fact, has become My Favorite Day in France.

Bises 

When greeting friends in France, you kiss each other on both cheeks, known as “bises.” In Brittany you go left, kissing the person’s right cheek first, and then their left. As an American, and someone used to hugging, kissing and being kissed on the cheeks seems strangely intimate. And being a bit of a germaphobe doesn’t make it easier. On more than one occasion I’ve been kissed by men — usually a friend of a friend — I’ve never met before. I do realize that for the French, hugging probably seems strange and too invasive. I guess it’s what you get used to, and slowing I’m growing accustomed to the tradition of bises.

Co-ed restrooms

It’s not uncommon in France for a restaurant or bar to have one bathroom for men and women. You walk into one “les toilets” room and there will be private stalls and communal sinks. At first, it was a bit disconcerting seeing a man come out of the toilet stall. Now I realize it’s a time saver as when there are separate men’s and women’s toilets, the women’s line is always twice as long as the men’s. However, it's still a shock when I step out of the restroom stall at my local restaurant and have to walk past a row of guys using the urinals. C'est la vie en France!

No screens on the windows

Screens on windows and doors are a rarity in Europe. I’ll always remember the story of the American who asked a European why they didn’t have screens on their windows. He replied, “How would the flies get out?” This seemed crazy to me at the time because in American we have screens on our windows so the flies don’t get inside in the first place. However, having lived some time now without screens on most of my windows, I’m starting to see the logic. Whenever a fly or bee comes in, all I have to do is guide him back towards the windows and he’s gone. No need for a flyswatter.

I do have a screen on my bedroom door that leads out to the balcony. I love having fresh air at night without worrying about mosquitoes. Due to climate change, there are now tiger mosquito in 78 of the 101 departments in France including my own. Tiger mosquitos can carry diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Because of this, I predict screens on windows and doors will become more popular in France.

The café culture

The French love to spend time in cafes, whether for their petit déjeuner of coffee and a croissant, an aperitif before dinner, or anytime in between and even well into the evening. It’s an essential part of the day to take a break, catch up with friends or simply be with your thoughts and watch the people go by.

I like cafes too, especially the ones with outdoor seating. But being a type-A personality, I’m not used to this type of time out within my workday. It’s been a slow adjustment, but I have come to appreciate the importance of the café culture. I get together with a group of English speakers once a week and enjoy “un café crème déca” a decaf coffee with milk or “un chocolat chaud” a hot chocolate.

When I am out with a friend we’ll often stop for a drink. If a friend drops by the house, it’s time to put the kettle on. And even if I’m alone, I often take a break in the afternoon for a mug of herbal tea. It’s a mindful moment away from the computer; a chance to appreciate nature in my garden. Slowly I’m breaking my American way of always being on the go, and realizing the benefits of taking a break. You can read more about my transformation in Embracing Café Culture in France.

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Have you found any part of French culture difficult to adapt to, or have you slid into life in France like cream into coffee? Let me know in the comments.

Stay tuned: next week I’ll share a few French Lifestyle Habits I Will Never Adopt.