Many people around the world think that they know quite a lot about French life. This may be due to the abundance of caricatures of the French nation and also because France is the number one tourist destination in the world. This may seem a little odd when you think about some of the common complaints that French people are arrogant, rude and refuse to speak English which, of course, they can all do perfectly well . . .
So, what is French life famous (or infamous) for?
From the school canteen to the highest Michelin starred restaurant, food and cooking are of paramount importance in France. From an early age, children are expected to, and usually do, eat proper three course lunches; yes, fast food has arrived in France, but the majority of the population still try to eat balanced good quality tasty meals. Modest restaurants offer good value lunches to office workers and artisans. Most people do stop to eat and rest at lunchtime, and say it's essential to their health and well-being.
With less overweight and the associated health problems, the French are a good example of how to eat. To eat a full meal at lunchtime with several small courses is better for us. We then have the rest of the day to use the energy and a lighter evening meal allows us to avoid going to bed with a full stomach.
Although France is rightly proud of its traditional bread, I think that you need to be weaned onto and brought up with the baguette if you're to find it essential twice a day. When I arrived to live in France many years ago, I soon become fed up with the relentless baguette diet and was forced by my teenaged children to learn to make "proper wholemeal loaves". Today, there's a huge variety of breads available in every boulangerie (and regional variations make for pleasant discoveries) and I've happily given up baking!
We know that the French are famous for their cheese but our knowledge of that cheese is sometimes restricted to just one or two sorts. Some people say they hate French cheese because they don't like Camembert, not realising that this is just one out of over four hundred French cheeses with a huge variety of tastes, ingredients, maturing processes, textures, etc.
The most famous French produce is probably wine. We tend to think that we need some knowledge (and some money!) in order to appreciate French wine. It's true that many French people do tend to know quite a lot about the topic and they do buy for their own personal cellar. However, many just buy from the local supermarket and don't spend a great deal, but still take the subject seriously.
We may be admiring of the French wines and cuisine, but we are not so happy about how they are made. Whilst farmers and fishermen make up a small percentage of Finch workers, we do become annoyed at their apparently widespread power and there are frequent televised images of angry protesting farmers and others.
So what else is typical of French life in this land of wonderful food and drink with its assertive farmers and unfriendly officials?
French people go to the cinema and read books. All the arts are taken very seriously and there are many "high-brow" articles produced on the arts. However, there's also a strong feeling that they should be available at all levels of society and in all circumstances. The cinemas and libraries organised by volunteers are an impressive example of this. Cinema is an art form in itself and this is a clear message in educational establishments.
The French are also famous for their sophistication and excellent dress and fashion sense.
So, a complicated country and people, but visitors from all over the world readily embrace the French life when given the chance as tourists.
Author Resource:
French Life and the pleasure of Life in France have been the subject of many articles, books and even television programmes. For a real taste of Living in France take a look at Amanda Lawrence's new blog at www.frenchvie.com. Lots of real life stories and anecdotes from the Quercy. It takes you right there - you'll never want to leave. Remember to leave a comment and subscribe to her French Vie newsletter.
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