Happy Halloween, or not...

My oldest son goes to an English school on Wednesdays.  He's be hearing about about Halloween for the past month.  French bakeries decorate their windows with spooky spiders and cobwebs.  Disney World in France turns into a gigantic Halloweened land...But in reality, nobody in France acutally celebrates it.

First of all, the Catholic population in France is very high.  They celebrate 'All Saints Day,' 'Toussaints.'  This day is meant to celebrate all Saints that don't have their own holiday throughout the year.  It's on November 1st.  The French celebrate it by visiting cemeteries to pay respects to loved ones, and going to church.  Halloween is like the antithesis of All Saints Day.  If you're intersted in finding more about this, here's an interesting link I found.

Halloween was pretty popular in the late nineties until about 2005.  I remember it being popular when I first arrived to France.  Now it's pretty much over.

Last year, I went to an American get together, and we all celebrated Halloween at someone's house.  It was fun, but it wasn't the same thing as trick or treating, getting candy that your parents have to sort through to make sure some twisted person didn't inject them with poison (did your parents do that?).

This year there was no American party.  So, I got my kids costumes and painted my son's face.  They both had their trick or treat bags (that I obviously got in the States).  I got them candy corn.  On Saturday we 'celebrated' Halloween.  My son was like, 'OK, we're ready to go out trick or treating.'  I was like, 'nahh, what's so fun about that?' (trying to disuade him from actually wanting to go out, rather than disappointing him).  My son was like 'To get candy!'  OK, so, I told him the truth, told him we'd make cookies instead, and that was that. 

It's too bad we don't celebrate Halloween in France.  That was one of my favorite holidays (hmm, after Thanksgiving and Christmas).  Maybe it will be 'à la mode' sometime soon, before my kids get old enough to want to throw toilet paper and eggs at our neighbor's houses.

This is Lindsay, signing out.

Buy your bags in French supermarkets

Message from contributing writer, Christine

So here is something I think the French do so right, and I understand
that it it being done in the U.S. as well, just not all over.  I went
into a store today that sells nothing but frozen foods....a story for
another day...and the sign said that they would charge me 3 cents for
each bag I needed to put my purchases in.  I have a fold up bag in by
handbag at all times, so I did not spent my 3 cents...but the point
is..I had a fold up bag in my handbag  just for this purpose.  I mean,
really, at home my supermarket asks me if I want paper or plastic.
Many stores in France charge you if you want a bag for your groceries.
 This is annoying at first and believe me I complained about spending
3 cents for a bag the first time I was charged for it.   But after a
minute of thinking about it it made good sense to me.  I really never
know what to do with the hundreds of plastic bags I have at home.
Think about it.  We actually can purchase bags to hold our bags in the
U.S.  At the end of the day, a minor inconvenience because you have to
carry a bag with you at times, but I really thing the French are onto
something.  I know that I am helping save a little bit of our planet
every time I bring my own bag...a great idea for my children an my
grandchildren.

A strike, again!

What a surprise, another French company is on strike.  Air France is, yet again, on strike.
The flight attendants are on strike against possible and probable job cuts.  Ok, that sucks.  But should customers have to suffer because of this?

I'm supposed to fly via Air France tomorrow.  My flight might be cancelled.  argghhh.  All I can say is, 'The French are always on strike.  All the time.  Enough already.'

This is Lindsay, signing off.

Check out Gare de Lyon...

...It's a really cool subway station.

Growing up, I remember getting blood tests or throat culture directly at the Doctor's office.  You can't do that in France (for the most part).  A Doctor will send you to a laboratory testing center for any kind of exam that requires blood or bodily fluids (you get the idea).

So this brings me to my point:  Train stations in France are happening places, and Gare de Lyon happens to be one of the hippest ones of them all (and believe me, I go through a lot of train stations every day to commute to work).  About a year ago, a hair salon called 'Beauty Bubble' opened up.  You can get your hair cut or styled in like 20 minutes max, and it's cheap.  And (drumroll please) about a month ago, a laboratory testing center in the middle of the long hallway that connects several different train lines together opened up.  Am I the only one who thinks this is cool?  You have to get a blood test of some sort?  No problem; you can stop by here on your way to work.

I'm so excited about this that I have this odd urge to go to the Doctor's to get a prescription for a test of some sort.  I want to keep these guys in business for the day I'll actually need them; you know what I mean?

How to survive the longest school breaks EVER!

In France, rather than having a super long summer break, kids get nice long bits of vacation spread out throughout the year.  This in of itself is a great idea.  It gets them back on their feet every couple of months.

On the flipside, these breaks are tough on parents.  So here are a couple of suggestions to get through this.
1. Live close by to your parents and or in-laws.
2. Take time off every time your children are on school break (I hope you have lots of vacation!)
3. Hire a super-nanny who's available and willing to work full-time over school breaks.
4.  Put your child in camp (but you have to pick them up by 6PM at the latest).
5. Or - don't have children.. Booo.
6. Or - Get divorced.  That will free you up for half of the time. Booo.

It's my Birthday!

Hi everybody.

It's my birthday tonight, and you know what I had for dinner?
Macaroni and cheese - the best meal EVER - and chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.
Totally not French (except for the wonderfully luscious wine), but totally yummy.

So, instead of writing insightful pieces of information about France tonight, I'm full and going to bed.

This is Lindsay, happily signing out.

Do you like your meat raw?

The French like their meat pretty raw.  They even eat it raw.  It’s called a ‘Tartare.”  If you like good meat and you like it raw, you’d love a tartare.  If you DON’T like raw meat, but you enjoy eating meat, then you have to know how to order it correctly.

Here’s a rule of thumb: if you order a hamburger in a French restaurant (please don’t if you’re only here for a week…) and you want it medium, then order it well-done.

Take a look at this picture and you’ll get what I mean.
I ordered my burger ‘medium’ and it’s practically mooing.

I’ve been here for over 11 years.  I should know this by now.  But every time I think to myself ‘No, if I order it well-done, it might come out that way.’ 

Anyway, if you order a burger or a steak, and you want it cooked a certain way, go up a level to get it right.

This is food for thought – literally – and Lindsay, signing out.

Taking the bus in France

Hi, this is another article from our contributing writer, Christine.  She travels to France a lot throughout the year, and lives here for 4 months every Fall.

The bus system in Paris is really wonderful, really it is....but every once in a while I just have to ask myself huh??  Yesterday I was taking the bus to the Louvre.  I was meeting a friend there at a specific time.  No problem.  You can go online and check out what time the bus will depart from your local stop and how long it will take to reach your destination.  Yesterday I was on the bus reading the nice red signs, "welcome to bus route number 22.",  "Route 22 wishes you a good day." "Destination Hotel de Ville." which was perfect because this bus route takes me right by the entrance of the Louvre on its way to the Hotel de Ville.  As I am reading the signs , feeling very smug because I can actually understand them in French, I notice that all of a sudden the red sign says "Destination changer." HUH????  The destination has changed, no explanation, just that the destination has changed.  One more stop and the driver asks  us all to get off of the bus and wait for the next one with no explanation.
Now what I also don't understand is not one person said anything or even questioned it.  We all got off of the bus.  I did not wait for the next one, it was a beautiful day in Paris and I walked the rest of the way.

Paris and/or New York

I'm in New York on business.  I went to college in NYC.  I moved to Paris right after graduation.  I remember moving to Paris and hearing Parisians say "Ugh, Paris is such a busy, fast-paced and tiring city."   And I always thought that that was kind of silly.  I mean, try spending like a day working in New York.  I'm not talking about vacationing in Manhattan.  New York is a busy, loud, very faced-paced city, filled with sky scrapers, stores, taxis, buses, tourists, people, neon lights, honking, coffee to go, take-out, more stores, and offices; and all of that is mixed together without any rhyme or reason.  Mind you, there are many very beautiful neighborhoods in Manhattan.  But it's true that everybody is in a rush to go somewhere, to do something.  And that's also what makes NY so wonderful and vibrant. 

Paris is such a beautiful city.  Everything seems so put together, like it was built on a fairytale.  All the buildings match, and when they don't, it looks so elegant.  La Défense, the semi-skyscraper part of town, is actually outside of Paris.  It's like the French thought 'this is kind of ugly.  Let's push it out of town.'

So to conclude, Paris is not a difficult city to live in.  It's gentler, a little less exciting, and a little more romantic than New York, with a touch of 'je ne sais quoi.'  Paris is so très French.

Subway Stations in France

Ok, so what's the purpose of this half-chair / half-creature in the subway station?  See the guy sitting there?  Now take a look at his shoes.  That's right, you have to wear industrial shoes with thick rubber soles to actually be able to use these things.  Got heels on? Forget it.  Ballet flats? Nope.  You'll just slip and slide.  The question I have is, why don't they just put down normal chairs?  These lean-thingies don't take up less space, and they're uncomfortable.  Yes, they've got an urban feel to them, which is what I imagine they’re aiming for, but citizens don't want cool, urban things in subway stations.  They want comfortable, practical stuff.  If anybody reading this happens to work for French public transport, please pass this on to the furniture department.

This is Lindsay, signing out.

We're not in Kansas anymore

This is ironic - a French Confession's contributor editor sent this article to me today:

As Dorothy said to Toto in "the Wizard of OZ"  We are not in Kansas
anymore.   I am always amazed how the French take something American
and make it their own.  Today I was in the subway and I walked by an
advertisement....for the McChevre.  that is a wrap with fried goat
cheese.  Now I had to go and see what this was and perhaps try it.
Even though as an American in Paris I would NEVER admit to eating at
McDonald's, and I usually don't, but I may start.  I went into my
local McDonald's and stood in line and while I was looking at the
drink menu, Coke, Coke Zero, what did I see but "1664."   To those of
you who are unfamiliar, it is a French beer.  Now.....if they only
start serving a nice red wine we are in business!

New website coming soon

Hi guys, In case you haven't noticed, I've been writing fewer articles over the past week. The reason is, I'm working a a new websitethat will replace this blog interface and my current website. But since I'm technically challenged, it's taking longer than expected. I'm hoping to get it up and running by November 1st (ish). So please hang in there. I'll still be writing articles on this blog, bit I might not get one in every day. Thanks! Lindsay

French boulangeries

So, I went to the boulangerie this morning, the one right next to my home. The owner there knows me pretty well; she always says hi, asks about the kids, smiles, etc. So, why, when I give her a 10 dollar Euro bill, does she give me my change back on a little tray instead of handing it to me? It's odd when you think about how the French greet each other with a kiss in pretty much any given situation. The truth is, while they always come across as tactile when you meet them, in truth, they are very reserved. This 'tray' scenario is pretty much the case in any boulangerie you go to. Rather than handing you your change, it is placed in a tray. Sometimes I take offense to it, like 'Why won't you just hand me my change? Do I smell bad?' But you can't take it personally. It's a cultural thing.

So think about that when you go to the boulangerie tomorrow.

This is Lindsay, signing out.

The French don't like fast-food...

The French pretend they don't like fast-food...They claim it's one of the many horrible American inventions on earth, that it tainted the great old-style European way of life. They may have a point. However, the truth is, they can't get enough of the Micky D's!...Because let's face it, fast-food is practical, and kinda tasty.

One of the things that's so wonderful about the French is their love and passion for food. So, McDonald's had to take that into account. So if you happen to run into a McDonald's in France, don't be surprised by the menu; it's adapted to the French food culture. For instance, on their menu, they've got croque monsieurs and sandwiches with goat cheese.

You know, come to think of it, their version of McDonald's is probably tastier than ours. Actually, I'm not so sure of that because they don't have strawberry shakes or real honey sauce for chicken Mcnuggets with a capital 'M' (I'm sidetracking here).

Anyway, just some food for thought for Friday evening.

This is Lindsay, signing out.

Driving in Paris

Hi, this is an article from an new contributing editor.
I'll let her write up a profile this week...But here's her first article.


So just a brief note about driving in Paris. I had an appointment
today in Paris to apply for my visa. A person drove me to
the appointment and no offence, but next time I may take the metro
home. Did you know that there are not a lots of street signs in
Paris that are visible to cars...kind of necessary if you are driving
especially when the GPS says, turn right on blvd Murat. Great, it
would be ever so helpful is there was a sign for that. Oh yes, and
then there is the road rage. We were driving, while looking for
street signs that were non existent, and this lady started to
tailgate, and I am talking within inches!!!! She tried to push us
along for about 1/2 mile. Never mind that there was a school that was
just let out and we were trying desperately not to hit any of the
children, no matter, the tailgating continued. No matter that our
left turn was blocked by not only oncoming traffic but by a bicycle in
the road. We were turning on to a major road connecting us to a
highway. What I loved was that when we finally turned onto the road
we were searching for, we got a BIG honk of the horn. Guess she was
saying goodbye! Now my driver went over the edge and wished she could
have turned around and given the other driver a lesson!!! But, I did
get my visa.

I love that French medecine!

I've got an ear infection, yuck. Anyway, the Doctor explained to me that in order to treat it, you have to treat every single cause. In other words, antibiotics are not enough. You have to get everything up and running. I won't get into the details, because it's kind of gross...

Anyway, see the picture? I have to take all of that medicine between two to three times a day for a week. But you know what? I guarantee you that by tomorrow I'll be feeling realllllllly good.

I love and live for that French medicine!!

Customer Service lesson n°2 - Apple

An Apple store opened up in our local mall a couple of weeks ago.
I went to the store yesterday with my family.  Now this is an example of GREAT customer service! The store is staffed with about 50 people.  It's the total opposite of FNAC (for all of you who live in France, you know which store I'm talking about). 

So, back to my story...Three people came up to at the same aisle to ask me if I needed help.  One of them started speaking English to me, and it turns out he was born and grew up in New York.  He asked me to stop by even if I wasn't buying anything (with a smile) because he just wanted to speak in English.  My children sat together on a very cushiony and child-friendly seat.  They played a Star Wars game and one of the Apple guys came over to help them get the game started.
There were three training sessions going on throughout the store.  Everybody was smiling.  People gave room to my little girl who was having a little trouble getting down the very modern stairs.
To make a long story short, this store is everything that most stores in France are not.

I'm starting to wonder if Apple has like a special breed of people that they raise and train in some confidential, private Apple community.....Anyway, since I often criticize customer service in France, I wanted to be fair and tell you about my great experience yesterday.

Apple Store:  http://www.apple.com/fr/retail/parly2/

Things are smaller in France

Things seem to smaller in France than in the US.  Take toasters for example:  A big store like 'BHV' only has one toaster oven and like 50 toasters.

Anyway, I'd like to illustrate this point today with a parking lot.  I'm sure I'll show you other examples later.  So, take a look at this video:

I am driving my Smart car (practically the smallest car you could possible drive) in France, and look how hard it is to get into the parking lot...

By the way, refrigerators  are smaller too.  Did you know that in France the biggest models are called 'An American fridge'?  What we consider average in the States is huge in France.

Coffee makers are smaller, cars are smaller, roads are narrower.

Maybe that's why the French are so thin???

That's some food for thought, and this is Lindsay, signing out.

Why are houses gated in France?

Americans love gated communities. French love gated houses.

I think it goes with the phrase 'Vivons Cachés, Vivons Heureux' / 'The less everybody knows, the better off you are' (I apologize for a pretty bad translation). Anyway, the French are pretty private. Take outside decorations for example: ever notice in France that x-mas decorations are always great inside a home, but pretty sad on the outside? People are more reserved in that respect, which also has to do with respecting others. Americans are more outgoing in that respect. Yes, I miss the open front yards like on Desperate Housewives, because that's how I grew up. But there is also something nice about coming home and the comfort of being in an enclosed, private space. If anybody can enlighten me on the sociological explanations behind this, go for it.

Local ad for a French women's basketball team...

I work in marketing and advertising in the lingerie field, so I'm always on the lookout for ads our brands that hit me in one way or another.

found this ad for a local French all women's basketball team that just came out, and also happened to create a lot of buzz, but not in a good way. Associations of all sorts are in an uproar over this 'sexist and patronizing' ad campaign that 'treats women like meat.' The head coach defends the ad (he's the one who had the idea and worked on the campaign) saying that he doesn't understand why people are shocked and that when Rugby teams do the same thing (calendars, etc.) nobody seems to care. I think he's right. But maybe I'm becoming too French.

Tuesday Tips - How to survive a French office meeting

I really enjoy working in France. But it's different from many other cultures. The French love to think over things, discuss all possible solutions, and think over all scenarios before making any decision. This is good and bad. Sometimes you should think things out, and sometimes you should just do it...

1. Show up 15 minutes late. You'll be the first one to arrive.
2. Bring coffee and water. It might take longer than expected, and you're going to talk a lot.
3. Bring your blackberry. Check your emails during the meeting. This means you have lots of work and you are driven.
4. Be as theoretical as possible when you talk.
5. Prepare to argue. If you agree too much with people, you are considered weak.
6. Do not plan any meetings for at least an hour after the meeting is planned to finish. The meeting will go on longer than expected.
7. Do not expect to come out of your meeting with conclusions; instead you will come out with 'next steps' needed in order to draw a conclusion.
8. Write the meeting minutes. Keep a record of them because somebody at one point will tell you that they never said 'that' or it never took place.

How did big buses in France drive in such small lanes?

That's a good question. Thanks. You're welcome.

So, streets in France were built like hundreds of years ago. Pavement was basically poured over existing paths. And then came the buses.

I would like to congratulate all the French buses out there (not for your timeliness) for navigating through such narrow streets. I can't even drive an SUV without my palms sweating. You drivers must have gone through a really difficult driving school to learn your moves. I'm surprised I don’t see more bus accidents. I've never seen one now that I think of it.

Now let's be mean. Why must you break all the rules that exist, like pedestrian stops and right-of-way yields? It's not because you're a bus and French that you can trample over people. And why are you always, always running late? Aren't the schedules calculated on specific time frames?
And why must you break so hard at a stoplight? Not everybody is lucky enough to sit down for the ride...On the other hand, if you see someone running desperately down the street to catch you (that would be me on a daily basis) you generally wait...So thanks for that.

This is Lindsay signing out.

French driving lesson number two

As I promised, here's another French driving test question.

Ok, how about this one.

The traffic sign means:
A.  The traffic light is 50 meters after this point
B.  All traffic coming from other intersections must yield the right-of-way
C.  All traffic coming from other intersections must yield the right-of-way for the upcoming intersection
D.  The speed limit is 60K/H, 50 meters after the traffic sign.

Going out tonight? What is dinner in France like?

Like many different countries and cultures, the French love to wine and dine. When I first graduated school and moved to France, what struck me was how important dinner was during a night out with friends. Even when our main plans were to go to a concert with friends or clubbing, the evening always started with a nice dinner together.

And, it's still the same 10 years later, minus the clubbing...

So, typically everybody is invited around 8:30. Most people do not show up before 8:45/9:00.
Dinner starts with a cocktail that lasts I would say 1 and a half to 2 hours. So you don't actually start dinner before 10:30ish. And you start with an 'entrée' (an appetizer), then the main course, then the cheese, then the dessert, then the coffee or tea for girls, then the 'digestif' (whiskey, etc.) with an occasional cigar.

What do you talk about for so long?
1. FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! Whether it's the beginning, the middle of dinner or desert, food is the main topic of conversation. The more you get into the meal, the more food comes up. Like, "I love this cheese! Where did you get this? Speaking of cheese, I just found a great cheese store in town...etc." And it goes on and on.

2. Politics - You're not really supposed to bring politics up at the dinner table, but it happens 75% of the time. And people get riled up. No hard feelings.

3. Sex - When having dinner with friends, sex comes up pretty much every time. Don't by shy.

4. Wine - not to be confused with food; these are two totally different topics.

So, hope this helps if you're going out to dinner in France tonight.