I moved from the United Kingdom to France 16 years ago.
When I arrived, I was so focused on learning a new language that I didn’t give much thought to the other cultural differences I would come across.
Some have been subtle, but many have taken me a while to adjust to. There are also a few I may never get used to at all.
Adjusting to French drinking habits has been interesting
I enjoyed the social scene back home — there’s nothing quite like unwinding with friends over a couple of drinks at the pub after work.
In France, though, pub culture doesn’t really exist. Here, drinking feels more about taste and tradition. It’s woven into meals and conversation rather than being the main event.
It’s normal to order a glass of wine with lunch or dinner, though it’s meant to be savored instead of tossed back. The French seem to instinctively know when to stop drinking, and I don’t often see public drunkenness here.
I’ve also gotten used to long meals with small portions
The first time I was invited to dinner by my French neighbors, I was astonished at how long it lasted. I arrived around 7 p.m., and it was well after midnight by the time I left.
Here, dinner is a social event. Conversation flows between courses, and people rarely seem like they’re in a rush to finish.
Much like the French savor their wine, they appreciate their food too.
Back home, mealtimes are more rushed, and I can’t remember really taking the time to enjoy the flavors of our food.
Although meals here often have multiple courses, the portion sizes are smaller. I find it hard to overeat. Back home, I was used to having one big course, my plate piled high. I often ended up uncomfortably full.
Many places shut down on Mondays
I can’t count the number of times I jumped in my car and headed to the boulangerie (bakery) to fetch a baguette, only to realize it would be closed because it was a Monday.
Where I lived in the UK, I was used to stores being open just about every day. Here, the majority of them are closed on Mondays — for many here, it’s considered the day of rest.
Throughout the week, it can also be tough to find many places open between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. since a lot of stores close for lunchtime.
It’s been tough to master French and the social etiquette that comes with it
In French, there are two words for “you,” and there’s a big difference between “vous” and “tu.”
In general, “vous” is used for strangers, in professional situations, or when speaking to groups — it’s more formal and polite. “Tu” is for friends, family, and children.
I still mix them up now and then, but I do tend to get away with it when they hear my accent and realize I’m not French.
I’ve also gotten so used to greeting people with a kiss on the cheek here that I have to remind myself not to do it when I go back to the UK. I think people from home would wonder what on earth I was doing if I suddenly leaned in for la bise.
Also, in France, “bonjour” isn’t just a greeting, it’s good manners. Forget to say it in a shop, and you may get a frosty reception!
French kids tend to be so polite
One huge advantage of having children grow up in France is that they’re bilingual. However, what really makes me proud is when people tell me they’re so polite.
They’re respectful when we go out, and although a lot of that comes down to how they’re raised, I do think French children are generally more polite.
Boys shake hands, girls often do la bise, and my kids’ friends call me “madame” (which makes me feel a little old, but it’s undeniably respectful).
I appreciate simple manners, like saying “please” and “thank you,” which is second nature here. There’s a clear expectation that children should be well-behaved in public in France — tantrums and loud voices aren’t as readily tolerated as they were where I’m from.
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