Drinking water in France
Carrying a bottle of water is one of the easiest ways to be singled out as a tourist in Paris. Why? Over the last few years in France, I have formed the impression that the French rarely drink water.
30
05, 2012
2
05, 2012
Beyond winemaking: discover French beer
Many people outside of France... do not know that it is the home of some excellent beer. This has led to bars putting higher quality beers on tap. In addition, two breweries in Paris were reopened, one in 2009 and the other in 2010, after both had been closed for 40 years.
9
04, 2012
What a French restaurant should be like – Part 2
The meal was nothing short of amazing, and in a restaurant where not just the owner, but all of the staff are so passionate about what they are doing, it is little wonder. We finished off our meal with a huge cheese course, and were almost too full to move.
28
03, 2012
What a French restaurant should be like – Part 1
The food is important of course, and one would imagine that any good restaurant in Paris is aware of that, but the ambiance and sense of being a part of this long-lived French social ritual is equally important.
28
02, 2012
Patriotism
I know that many Frenchmen are proud to call themselves French, though their displays of patriotic affection might have changed over the years.
27
01, 2012
Differences in Business Mentality
There is a misconception among some Americans that the French are lazy and don't get much done. The fact that France is one of the most productive countries in the world comes as a surprise to more than a few.
27
12, 2011
Hugs and Kisses
Because kisses are such an integral part of interaction in France, one might think that this implies that the French are more comfortable with intimate displays of affection, right? Not necessarily. Try hugging a French person.
28
11, 2011
French Administration
It is frustrating, chaotic, and occasionally nothing short of baffling, but in a way, it sums up French administration.
27
10, 2011
What is Fluency?
Everyone seems to have a different definition of 'fluent' and 'fluency'. I remember hearing a grown man tell me that his friend went to Sweden and was fluent in Swedish in three weeks, with no prior experience with the language.
26
09, 2011
Why I keep staying in Paris
Working as a tour guide in Paris, I get asked a lot of the same questions on each tour. When I get asked "Where are you from?", "How long have you lived in Paris?", or "Is John-Paul your real name? (Yes, it is)", my answer is automatic... However, when I am asked "Why do you still live in France?" or "What keeps you here?” I am never sure how to respond, regardless of how many times I am asked these questions. Perhaps the following story can give you an idea why.
