We never encountered a rude person ourselves, but we did witness them insist on this cultural tradition, with French teenagers no less. As we were eating our crepes on Mont Saint Michel, a group of French teenagers came in, acting like teenagers often do. They didn’t give a greeting and began insisting on a table in an area that was closed. The staff took no crap ... and castigated them for their lack of manners. They left. Do unto others, it’s that simple.
The French drive well and are polite when they do it. Especially around Paris on the freeway, drivers were quite courteous, left space, and did not speed. We found it quite easy to drive. We did not drive in the center of Paris. I think with a little instruction about their signage and intersection etiquette we could, but like any big, congested city, it looked a little hairy.
French people love and eat bread. There is literally a bread shop every time you need one. And pastries ... well, let’s just say vive Le France!
The effects of globalization are very visible, even more so than 12 years ago. Nike, McDonald’s, and other popular American cultural icons are readily accessible. The reliability and familiarity of Dominos Pizza did come in handy one night, but we feel it does defeat the purpose of a trip abroad to see and eat the same old stuff.
Language acquisition happens quickly, most especially when its heard and used in the context of real life. Even the kids, who’ve never been exposed to French, have been appropriately greeting and thanking people in French the last few days.
Our kids are angels. They never fight, get grumpy or tease each other. Kristi and Jim never raise their voices or have to intervene in squabbles; they never lose their temper and are never stressed. It’s absolute bliss 24/7 ... 🤪 ... jk, but the kids do travel fairly well. Who wouldn’t get on each other’s nerves after spending so much time together, sometimes in tight places, and sometimes in stressful situations?
Aurevoir France!
