Things in France I have grown to love:
· Espresso.
I first approached the tiny little French coffees with skepticism, thinking they were cute to look at but I could never be the coffee I drink on a daily basis. The large is smaller then the size of the smallest coffee offered in the US. There were times I would kill to get my hands on a huge 20-ounce coffee from Dunkin Donuts or 7-11. It only took about 2 weeks to fall in love with Espresso- tiny, has a kick, gets the job done, and it’s delicious. Café au lait or a double latte are my preferences so far. So good.
· Appreciation for outside space.
There is not a whole lot of green space “espace vert” in Montpellier, being a city and all. However, the French do know how to use their outside space. Parks are always filled with people reading, eating lunch, or playing with their children. Also nearly all restaurants have outside seating, which gives the meals a compeltely different vibe. I feel like that appreciation for outside space isn’t all that widespread in NY.
· The nightlife.
There is a disproportionately high amount of bars in Montpellier and I am definitely not complaining about it. After spending 3 years in the farmlands of Western New York, having so much choice when it comes to nightlife is a nice change of pace- plus none of the clubs here are actually just a sketchy barn (ahem The IB, Geneseo). So many choices from Irish pubs, to wine bars, to dance clubs. 43% of the population in Montpellier is less than 30 years old, so it is definitely an amazingly fun youthful city to be in.
· The combination of modernity and history.
The Place de La Comedie which is the center of town is beautiful. There’s a combination of new (ex. McDonalds) and old (ex.Trois Graces Fountain) that makes the city uniquely European.
· Coffee Vending Machines.
Walking to class at Paul-Valery you will inevitably pass a group of impeccably dressed French students with a cigarette in one hand and tiny brown plastic cups in the other. What is in those plastic cups? Some of the most delicious sugary milky espresso for only 50 cents from strategically located locations across campus. Brilliant idea. Needs to come to Geneseo immediately.
· Recycling
Definitely a much more salient concern in France. I mean, they actually walk the walk when it comes to it. They always have recycling receptacles available, and is really just a part of the norm here.
Things I still have to warm up to:
· The "Bissou" Kiss Hello
The French kiss on the cheek. Great in concept, difficult in Practice. In the south of France, it’s customary to give a kiss on the cheek 3 times- left right left, or right left right. From my experiences, there is no rhyme or reason as to which direction they go in first, which always makes for an awkward moment and possibly a headbut. Also, kiss on both cheeks is cute, but three just seems to linger a bit too long. Meet up with a big group of people and you’ll be bissou-ing for quite a while!
· Lazy Sundays
I love me some banana pancakes mornings on the weekends. Start the day off slow, make a nice breakfast, read the newspaper. But the French take it to a whole new level- almost everything- literally everything- is closed on Sunday, and the few things that are opened are at the most arbitrary times. The “day of rest” concept is taken very seriously here, and I feel like I can grow to appreciate that, but it is severely limiting on what you can accomplish in the day.
· Dog lovers
I have had a dog all my life and I have loved Casey and Bernie to pieces, but French people bring dog-loving to a whole new level- they bring their dogs on the tram, into stores, and even to restaurants. It also seems like every homeless person has a dog here.
Things I will never understand:
· Grumpy sales clerks
Everywhere. Cheer up.
· 2 hour lunch breaks
Bank. Post Office. Academic Administration. Secretariats. It’s hard to get anything done when there’s a 2 hour gap from 12-2.
· Red Tape and the Run Around.
In order to obtain this you need that. But in order to obtain that you need this. But in order to obtain this you need that. You may not pass go. You may not collect two hundred dollars. Everything becomes a game of run-around. Example: Laura had to photocopy something out last week. So we went to the imprimerie (photo copy place) on campus. The lady at the desk told us we couldn’t get it there, so we walked to the library in one of the academic buildings, who told us we needed to buy a card from the imprimerie in order to photocopy it. So we went all the way back to the imprimerie to buy the card to go all the way back to the library to print it. And of course, you couldn’t just buy 50 cents worth of printing credit for 4 sheets, you had to get 100 copy printing balance- just one small example. If you need to get anything done, expect to take at least 3 trips.
Lack of sense of urgency
Pardon me Miss SNCF Train Ticket Salesman, but no, I would not like to book any other trips, listen to your conversations with your co-workers across your cubical, or watch you answer text messages in front when you have yet to print out my tickets, because if you would look at the time, the train leaves in about 2 minutes...
Lack of concept of personal space
Because who hasn't felt just a bit violated on the tram?
Conclusions: Definitely much more to love than to hate. So different, but so fabulous. I cannot believe how fast the past two months have flown by.
