Wait, what’s so bad about wearing yoga pants?! Asks the woman wearing them as she types 🙂

Perhaps there is a trade off between style and efficiency.

Ilive in Paris for 2 years and it was the most beautiful years in my life! I miss my beautiful country! Enjoy life in Paris!
Marine

Hi Jordan,

As an American living in Italy I can totally sympathize with all of your good and bad points about living in a foreign country. The language thing is especially difficult, even though my Italian is much better now than when I moved, even just speaking to somebody casually at the supermarket becomes a little bit frightening! Italians are also pretty big conformists, it is very strange for foreigners to even LIVE in Lake Como, you should see the looks I get just taking a walk. (Because according to my friends, Italians know just by looking at you if you aren’t Italian.)

It’s hard for me to remember sometimes amidst all the visa nonsense and language struggles how lucky I am to be doing something many people only fantasize about- so thanks for the reminder and all of your beautiful posts about Paris! – Briony

I am French and Parisian and completely relate to most of what you say! (Except for the washer/dryer and the milk thing: I don’t get it. I always buy fresh milk in the supermarket, it goes in my fridge and it’s all ok.) The worst: pooh on the sidewalk and the administration (what a journey to get official papers and someone nice to help you!!!!!)
The language thing must be hard: I remember going to Austia with “Guten tag” and “Danke” as the two words I knew… But it’s a nice thing to learn new languages, right?
Wish you a nice stay here!

Wow! I absolutely adore this list. I have dreams of spending a summer in Paris so my inner Francophile can blossom.

I moved to Paris on Valentine’s day, last year. I don’t have words to express how much I love it here. One must do their “homework” before moving, or even vacationing in a foreign country. There is an excellent book called “Paris: Culture Shock,” Also, “France: Culture Shock.” If those are read before the visit, your trip will be pleasant. The French are actually quite polite. They are appalled by what they consider the “rudeness” of Americans—talking loud, not greeting the shop owner, expecting the world to speak English. Imagine how they feel when traveling the US, where most people do not speak a second language? Least of all, French!
In regards to dealing with the French…this is a group of people who love to explain things. If one is humble, and asks a question, even something simple like, “How do I say—–?” the floodgates of friendliness are opened. I have encounter three rude French in my year here–a metro worker, and two bus drivers. I am always astounded of the kindness of the French.
I have found that DIA grocery store carries drinkable UHT milk. Also I buy the fresh milk. I agree with the list completely. My most frustrating aspect of living here is laundry!

Will you be giving us a Paris eats similar to your San Fran eats? I hope so! I’m going to Paris in October and would love to know your fave places!

I’m French, living in Paris, and it’s really interesting to have your vision of my country 🙂 If you don’t mind, I just like to correct a thing about the average of vacation: it’s only 5 if you work for a company!

Wow, what a good read! I visited France in 2006 and I miss it dearly. I went with only about 3 french words in my vocabulary… I definitely think it was very hard and I was embarrassed on more than one occasion. I remember the people not being too friendly no matter how hard I tried and smiled. And also, I remember going to the market in the middle of the day (noon-ish?) and it was closed! I think its awesome/stressful that people just go home and take a 2 hour nap or lunch! haha. Other than that, I couldn’t believe that the Eiffel Tower actually sparkled and how awesome it was to take a boat all over the Seine River.

But really, I give you a lot of props for living there for a year and hardly speaking French, how do you manage when you are out!?

Sort of forgot about the lovely stuff when I read about the frowny face. I would need to eat a couple of croissants if I see that on my daughter’s assignment.

Oh how I feel you on the awful hours the shops in France (or anywhere in Europe) keep. I honestly cannot fathom how they do any business at all when they’re open for 2 hours in the morning, close for a 3 hour lunch, and open again for 3 hours in the afternoon only to close before most people get out of work. When do they sell anything?? It was a big frustration for me when I lived in Copenhagen in college. Nothing was open before I went to class, and nothing was open when I got out. The weekends were the only time one could run errands and as a college kid, do you think I was spending my weekends getting groceries? lol NO. The concept of 24/7 seems to be lost on the Europeans. However they make up for it in style, food, and culture so I guess it’s OK 😉

However, that same summer I went to Paris and a bunch of other kids and myself sat on the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower for hours one night picnicing on amazing cheese, bread, and wine, as were many other people. So we were definitely allowed to sit on the grass. Maybe that’s changed now? What a shame! That was one of the best nights of the summer, we were there til 2am.

and then the second you leave you will miss every single thing on that con’s list.

Hi Jordan, grass in parks IS accessible from april to october, unless decided otherwise for conservation purposes – I checked on the city website. This was a decision of Delanoe, which apparently is controversial because the downside is, grass is now full of garbage (and THAT should be on your bad things list 😉
But the average French person only has 7 weeks paid vacation, and the fact that stores close early is not necessarily a bad thing as it allows employees there to have some sort of life. Besides, stores opening times in Paris are wayyy larger than in the countryside.

This is really funny to read… I’m French and I hate Paris! haha! Well I have Parisians I think!
I’ve just moved from France to Montreal, so I totally get it! 😉

I can relate somewhat. I’m an American who lives in Barcelona, Spain. Our “don’t likes” are similar. It’s also nice to hear it ain’t all roses living abroad. People can be deceived by your perfect pictures!

What great lists! I spent some time studying in Paris, and I couldn’t agree more!

I understand not speaking the language when you arrive somewhere (or are just visiting). Why haven’t you learned more French? When people live in the US and don’t speak English, there is very little sympathy.

Cold US-style milk is available is most Paris supermarkets.

Often eggs are not refrigerated in the US either until they are set out for display. Same with butter.

Stores with inconsistent hours is frustrating. But closing for lunch leads to a more balanced, family-friendly life.

The dryer thing is ridiculous, I agree.

Paris is Paris…