reverse culture shock: back in the states 🇫🇷 🇺🇸

bonjour ! my name's lyndi, and i've lived in france for 6+ years. today we're back in the USA! i noticed some culture shocks since being back coming from france.
💬💬 have you noticed these before or what are your culture shock moments ?? let me know your thoughts in the comments below^^
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time stamps:
00:00 reverse culture shock / visiting family in USA
1:07 size of cups and sales tax
1:51 initial friendliness of people
4:24 saying hello
4:59 toilet paper
5:21 ice cubes
5:45 controversial hateful ads
6:22 political signs / voting
7:06 american flags everywhere
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coucou ! i'm an american living in france who started this channel during quarantine ! i decided i want to create videos on things that i would want to actually see:) things like: what it's like living in small town france, how to navigate life abroad, solo travel, hearing from actual frenchies (lol) and more. if that interests you, subscribe to see future videos from la petite américaine ^^ bisous !
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[@letnkdesboisphotographicac778]

Until the 2000s, people used to talk with each other in a train for example, but since we got smartphones, everyone scrolls all the ride long, ignoring his/her neighbours...

[@gsbeak]

Pour un Français, c'est très paradoxal et contradictoire d'avoir d'un côté, cette "initial friendliness" et de l'autre ne pas dire bonjour systématiquement et avoir ces "hateful ads". Beaucoup de touristes américains trouvent les serveurs et vendeurs français "rude" sans se rendre compte que c'est eux qui ont été impolis en premier pour ne pas avoir dit Bonjour...

[@marc0pelot934]

Je ne trouve pas anormal pour un touriste de ne pas dire bonjour systématiquement et je pense qu'en France on devrait revenir en arrière et retirer le service qui est compris dans l'addition.

[@antibash691]

Surtout que la première politesse envers un peuple c’est de se renseigner sur ses us et coutumes et faire au mieux pour s’y conformer. Le problème de beaucoup de touristes en France, surtout les anglo-saxons, c’est qu’ils pensent être en pays conquis qu’ils visitent comme un parc d’attraction en oubliant souvent qu’ils ont affaire à des vrais gens qui vivent et travaillent. Et que dire de l’arrogance et la suffisance des américains.

[@Belaziraf]

@@antibash691 Pas uniquement des américains. Des français et toutes les origin es qui viennent d'un autre quartier. Qui ne se renseignent pas sur les us et coutumes d'un café ou un restaurant en particulier et se comportent comme chez eux.
Les commerces en France devraient se contenter des 10-20 clients qui se conforment à ce qu'ils veulent. Parfois moins.
Et pour ceux qui entrent dans l'hôtellerie en sachant qu'ils seront amenés à rencontrer et servir des gens de tous horizons et niveaux sociaux, respects. Les clients de passage sont souvent difficiles, pour dire le moins. C'est vrai pour l'hôtellerie/restauration, mais aussi pour tous les commerces.

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

@@BelazirafPlease pardon my replying in English, my written French is nolonger up to the task.
In my ( Swiss ) opinion both sides need to accept that who they are talking to was raised in a different culture to different behavioral patterns.
When I am in France, I tend to use my Swiss patterns of interaction ( hello, please, thank you, goodbye) and try to adopt/adapt if/when I feel it is appropriate. If in doubt, I err on the side of politeness and respect.
I have seen and experienced this very same behavior from most French and US American citizens. Yes there are black apples, let us not emulate them!

[@Belaziraf]

@@alexandergutfeldt1144 Of course people have to show at least some kind of respect. But my point was a waiter or anyone working in contact to customers can't be rude on purpose. Or he/she isn't fit for the job. I've been through those jobs and customers were a lot more hateful than they are now. So I think Europe has made progress the right way.
We used to think that the customer is king. But we have come to understand that customer service doesn't mean a customer can treat you as trash or disdain your work.
No matter how insignificant the job is, the person behind do deserve respect.
Still that person do have to be professional and not overreact to small things.
It's petty and give a bad image of the job or the country.
Back to waiter's job. American view intrusiveness as "being polite" and "good service" as anywhere else in the world, not just in EU or Europe, people like to enjoy their meal and call for what they need and only IF they need it.
Basically, greetings upon arrival and departure is just social behavior that goes beyond politeness alone. It's also a way to somehow acknowledge the person as a full fledge human being. Not just as some servant.
Black apples in customers case stem from education, mostly so you can't overreact as a professional. If the client goes overboard, it's the boss or manager's job to clarify the situation and make him leave.
Black apples in service jobs just show that the person isn't fit for the job. It's important to understand that a lot of people work in those line of work because they have no other way to earn a living. So they tend to be more irritable.

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

It’s an English person, I don’t go into my local shops without saying hello , and I certainly have never gone into a French shop without saying bonjour

[@pierreernoult]

Welcome back in France, anytime!

[@tomitom3422]

Thks for this nice video! What i noticed also in the US is that sugar is included in many receipes (bread, tomato sauce, tin boxes) and it s hard to find some without it.

[@CarolinaCanada]

What a perceptive young woman you are! I have just discovered your videos and I am very impressed. And you are so sweet! Happy to be a new subscriber on this channel. I am a Canadian who lived and worked in Paris for a very, very long time and I agree with so many of your impressions. Looking forward to many more of your videos. Have a wonderful time. I think it makes life so much richer to be able to feel at home in different countries and cultures.

[@Zalesie123]

Awesome observations : )

[@christianc9894]

On a l'impression qu'ils ont peur d'oublier qu'ils sont chez-eux, dans leur pays, et qu'ils ont besoin de se le rappeler en permanence.
Vu de chez-nous, en France, cela nous parait étrange. Je regarde suffisamment de vidéos sur les USA pour savoir pourquoi vous faites ça, mais le comprendre, c'est beaucoup plus compliqué. Les gens semblent embrigadés, radicalisés, conditionnés (le fameux serment au drapeau à l'école) pour nous, français, c'est incompréhensible. On a pas besoin de tous ces artifices pour aimer notre patrie.
Profite bien de ton séjour Lindy.

[@bilp_bloup_bot]

Je pense que tu confonds le chauvinisme et le patriotisme. Les français sont très peu patriotes, c'est normal que le patriotisme américain te semble étrange.

[@marc0pelot934]

honnêtement est-ce que connais 5 personnes autour de toi qui aujourd’hui iraient se battre pour la France ? Moi non

[@christianc9894]

@@marc0pelot934 Tu aurais fait une brillante carrière en 1940.

[@marc0pelot934]

​@@christianc9894 Aucun rapport, mais arriver au point Goldwin si tôt dans le débat nous donne une indication formelle sur la taille de la molécule qui te sert de cervelle et de ta frustration d'avoir hérité d'un micro pénis.

[@christianc9894]

@@bilp_bloup_bot Non je ne confonds pas, le patriotisme n'a rien à voir avec les nombre de drapeaux. Je ne doute absolument pas du patriotisme des américains, ce qui me gêne c'est comme on dit en France à propos de la culture, c'est comme la confiture, moins tu en as, plus tu l'étales.

[@rouster5]

Bonjour Lyndi. How the French say Hello first before any other interaction and we don't is an astute insight. A courtesy I will remember to always do. Blessings

[@bilp_bloup_bot]

As a french it took me awhile to realize that in some countries it's perfectly fine to not say "hello" or "good morning" to initiate contact, that people could not say it and still not be assholes :D It's really a cultural misunderstanding

[@rouster5]

@@bilp_bloup_bot Assholes Really? Fffing bot .

[@dagobert54]

Bonjour Lyndi. J'aime beaucoup votre vidéo, c'est intéressant de comprendre les différences entre les deux cultures. Je n'ai jamais mis les pieds aux Etats-Unis, mais toute ma famille y est allée plusieurs fois et ils adorent. Ma fille cadette a même été dans une forêt dans le Wisconsin avec des collègues américains, dans une cabane au bord d'un lac et s'est entraînés au pistolet et au fusil mitrailleur! Elle nous a envoyé une vidéo, on était pliés! Elle a trouvé les Américains hyper gentils.😀

[@fenimorecooper5118]

Yes we do say hello when we enter a shop or any building in France. Or even when you come across somebody in the street, even if you don’t know the person (AND if you’re not in Paris or any crowded street). But the waiters or staff are usually doing the bare minimum when in the US they might be « excessively » polite, like asking you 10 times if everything’s ok, etc… But it’s because they rely on tips. In France, we don’t tip. People have a guaranteed wage and service is included in the bill.
And we also have a sales tax, but it’s included in the price you see. In the US this tax can be different from state to state, that’s why you only see the price before tax, as the final price can vary depending on which state you’re in.

[@loicloic7029]

Bonjour, tout d'abord merci pour votre gentillesse envers notre pays, la France. J'ai regardé quelques unes de vos vidéos et j'ai bien aimé, c'etait une suggestion car j'avais en fond sonore sur ma télé des vidéos du même type qur la votre et j'ai remarqué que les américains qui viennent ici restent et des français partis au US ne veulent plus revenir. En fait c'est l'expression " l'herbe est toujours olus verte ailleurs. Sur une de vos vidéo j'ai cru remarqué des villages, des lieux en Alsace je suis alsacien et c'était vraiment bizarre 😂. En tout cas bravo pour vos video, vous méritez plus d'abonnés. Lrs autres en ont plus avec le même type de vidéo. Je m'abonne 👍

[@gerarddaclin542]

Bonjour Lindy et bonnes vacances aux States parmi ta famille , j'y suis allé 3 fois et j'ai constaté ces différences dont tu parles . Je me souviens à New York faisant la queue pour visiter la statue de la liberté avec ma femme et ma fille , une américaine nous entendant parler français m'aborde spontanément pour discuter et me dire qu'elle avait une grand mère française mais que malheureusement elle ne parlait pas un mot de français. Je me souviens aussi de la taille des pizzas la première fois , n'étant pas familier avec les mesures américaines avoir eu beaucoup trop à manger. Profite bien de ton séjour 🇺🇸🇲🇫💕

[@mrmatt95800]

A peu de chose près les mêmes souvenirs j'ai eu la chance de faire 5 Etats us en long en large et en travers, et a chaque fois ces mêmes impressions.

[@xo17499]

You’re adorable😊. Enjoy your trip back to the US.

[@stewartellinson8846]

The flags thing always interested me - across Europe, flags are just not as much of "a thing" and when i go to the US, i find the flags everywhere a bit creepy. It's almost like a national insecurity about identity

[@swisschalet1658]

Creeped out by a flag...lol, oh, they're SO SCARY!

[@stewartellinson8846]

@@swisschalet1658 if it was A flag, that would be fine but they're everywhere. What are they trying to prove? It's like those narcissists who try to fool people by bombarding them with emotion.

[@swisschalet1658]

@@stewartellinson8846 In the Us, we own land and property, because we are free. We do not live stacked in apartment complexes like lab rats...at least the vast majority don't. The American flag is a symbol of freedom. Yeah, I know, freedom freaks out people, especially slaves...who can't imagine life without the big nanny government. We put up OUR OWN flags, that we personally own, on our homes, our personal businesses, our farms, etc...that's why they are "everywhere". It is a symbol that WE govern the government, not the other way around.

[@stewartellinson8846]

@@swisschalet1658 it's nice that you believe that

[@swisschalet1658]

@@stewartellinson8846 It's not about believing it...I'm living it.

[@tamaramadelin4831]

I lived in France for 14 years and now in Portugal 🇵🇹! I just got back from a trip to California and I had sticker shock...SO expensive! Sales tax continually got me and I prefer it being included in the price like in Europe! I was disappointed with eating out...Food VERY salty and I like salt! Also, the food quality was low in general I thought. And, the homelessness...So sad and heartbreaking!! To conclude, I had a great visit, but never want to go back permanently!!

[@antibash691]

Dans le sud de la France on discute facilement avec les inconnus. J’ai hébergé une amie Kazakhstannaise qui était ébahi de voir les gens qu’on ne connaissait pas discuter avec nous lors de promenades, à la caisse du supermarché, en faisant le marché, à la terrasse d’un café . En promenade on s’est même retrouvé à discuter avec un couple pendanr une heure. La discussion est partie au sujet de leur chien et on fini par parler de nous, du paysage, de tous et de rien. C’est très habituel dans le Var. Moi je pense qu’il ne faut pas généraliser la France, d’une région à l’autre les tempéraments sont très différents. Surtout entre la partie nord avec le Sud.

[@christianc9894]

Dans le nord de la France c'est comme dans le sud.
Pour votre ami je pense que la religion doit jouer un grand rôle. L'Islam ne tolère pas trop des discussions entre hommes et femmes. En Europe, c'est normal de se parler, cela n'engage à rien. Pas étonnant qu'il ait été surpris de cette différence culturelle.

[@antibash691]

@@christianc9894 Mon amiE est de culture chrétienne orthodoxe et russophone. Elle n’est pas non plus d’ethnie Kazakhe. Elle vit dans une grandes villes du nord du Kazakhstan et a passé une partie de sa vie en Russie. Elle a également beaucoup voyagé en Europe et a fait des études supérieure en Allemagne. J’aurais dû le préciser. 🙂

[@christianc9894]

@@antibash691 La son étonnement est plus étonnant en effet. D'autant qu'elle a fait des études supérieures et qu'elle a déjà vu du pays. Mais ça dépend aussi du caractère de chaque individu.

[@antibash691]

@@christianc9894 Oui peut être

[@mrmatt95800]

C'est pas vrai ds tous le sud étant natif sud est, ayant vécu plusieurs années ds le sud ouest et vivant actuellement ds le nord. Ce que vs dites est vrai du sud ouest bcp moins du sud est je trouve. Par contre je confirme les commentaires précédents concernant le nord. Je n'ai jamais été aussi heureux, socialement lié et bien accueilli que ds le nord pourtant j'ai vécu ds plusieurs régions plusieurs années dans chaque.

[@EIonsMusk]

🇫🇷

[@kaldqallarkho5238]

Chingalongi hongalong honga gonga gonga gong. Gonga gonga gonga gonga gonga gonga, gonga gong!

[@christianc9894]

Que voila une pensée profonde.............. are are..........

[@RaySqw785]

Well, spent about 1 year in the US, it was 25 years ago, and alway got them as relatives today, i still found americans WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY more friendly than others countries i did visit exepted Italy maybe, i found the showing flag etc.. very healthy and sometimes funny, US is the culture of the show, we don't have this in France, i got small talks about everything in my French day also my US buddies thinks i'm more american than french in lot of ways hahaha, and something i felt very strange is that my yanks pals almost everytime have strange feelings towards the brits, they speak the same language though. about hate, ohhhh the french are more hatefull than americans, we hide it more , in France Politics is like religion, anyway have fun back at home, greatings

[@swisschalet1658]

Based on the comments on this video, the French are full of hate for Americans. And they seem very uptight...following right in line with the traditional stereotype of the French. I guess what they say is true...a thread of truth runs through every stereotype.

[@agl5132]

That biggie size me in the states is why there is such an obesiy problem. Yes, many Europeans especially the french are reserved. Ive found Scotland, Ireland and Italy love to chat. I've always said it would be amazing if the #1 rule when campaigning is that you can not verbally attack your opponent. That you have to stick to the facts of what "you will do" to improve things once you are in office. It seems those who have no debating skills or real solutions resort to diverting the attention on others.

[@arekkrolak6320]

Hey, you know you can attach that microphone to your outfit?

[@peacefulminimalist2028]

It's a "thing" nowadays to hold the mic, kinda like ASMR.

lol i know:) however when i have, it rubs against my clothes and makes the quality not as nice:p :)

[@EIonsMusk]

🇺🇸

[@rayf12345]

The syndrome is called "insupportable" (said in French). You call that a pastry? Why isn't there a boulangerie every 100m?....

[@josephcaccamise8235]

I have been fortunate to have worked for a major international US air line for 35 years. This has given me the fortunate opportunity to visit most European countries multiple times. I love going to Europe and experiencing all the different cultures. This is my opinion but in my experience it’s a great place to visit but I would not want to live there. In order to keep this brief I could present a list of things that I don’t like country by country. I won’t do that because it is just my opinion that I’m sure others will disagree. When I visit another country I expect things to be different (culture,food,traditions etc) which is part of the appeal. One last thought is it bugs me to no end when Europeans complain about American “small talk”. Please it’s just being friendly or a informal greeting. Nothing more or nothing less! So get over it. At least it’s better than being perceived as being rude.

[@fenimorecooper5118]

I don’t think anyone is « complaining » about the american small talk thing. It’s just surprising to some people. But again, it depends on where you are. If you go outside of Paris or other european big cities, it’ll be easy to talk to people and never feel awkward.
I am from Brittany, the western and celtic part of France. It is not easy to start a conversation there with an unknown person. But it’s just considered respect to leave the other person alone and wait for them to do the first step. When you start a conversation, you can then be sure it’s sincere and genuine and it can even end up in a very friendly moment. A bit like in Ireland or in Cornwall.
I live now in the north of Belgium, in Flanders. People don’t even look at each other in the street. But you can easily end up in a pub drinking and having fun with total strangers as if they’ve been your best mates for years.
Spain is rough but people are usually very friendly as well, especially in the north. In Denmark they seem almost rude as they never say hello or please (they don’t even have a word for please) but there’s nothing they like more than sharing a piece of cake and a coffee to have a conversation with you (that’s Hygge).
I like the easy going american way of making connections, but on the other hand, having traveled around my fair share myself, the US is the place where I felt the most unsafe in my entire life. The only exception was when I spent time in the Navajo reservation. I found there also people who are « discreet » (they don’t do that typical american small talk) but amazingly friendly and welcoming. I was planing to just go through and sight see the beautiful landscapes, but I stayed 1 month for the people.

[@peacefulminimalist2028]

Personally I don't feel the need to know someones life story in an elevator. It feels oddly intrusive and awkward. A simple "hi" and a smile would be enough.

[@swisschalet1658]

@@fenimorecooper5118 "the US is the place where I felt the most unsafe in my entire life"...lol...of course you're going to feel more unsafe in any place that is not your home. I've lived in the US my whole life, traveled all around it and NEVER felt unsafe. But I have been to many places in Europe that I felt were NOT safe.

[@fenimorecooper5118]

@@swisschalet1658 Yes, I understand that. But I went to a lot of other places and always had a great experience. To be honest, my first trip to the US was in the 90’s and I was backpacking. Something that I’ve been doing all around the world but when I arrived in the US every person I met told me it was a bad idea and that it was too dangerous. That set the tone and I felt scared the whole time. Hitch hicking was not a good idea indeed. Drugs, racism, guns, etc… I’ve seen really weird things. Nevertheless, sometimes, I was actually more scared by what people told me than by the actual reality (like « you shouldn’t do this, you’re going to get kidnapped… or get killed…») The other trips I made to the US years after that, I just drove rental cars. But to be fair I also met very nice and generous people. Don’t get me wrong. I love the US and I’m certainly not judging a whole country based on a couple of bad experiences. I only think that there is an intrinsic violence to the US society that we, in Europe, are not used to. And I’m totally convinced that any country can also feel unsafe to a foreigner. There are crazy people all over the world unfortunately :)

[@margaretnicol3423]

Not saying 'hello' to someone serving or helping you is really bad manners. You're treating the person as the job rather than a person who is doing a job!

[@davidmusset3435]

American friendliness has no match in France unfortunately

[@fenimorecooper5118]

As a french living outside of France I understand why we are perceived as « arrogant ». But I think it’s not a lack of friendliness. It’s just another perception of the others’ « boundaries ». We don’t want to cross that boundary without having being invited to.
Plus, it depends on the region. In the south of France, small talk with strangers is easy. But also often perceived as superficial or not significant. In the west (Brittany) it’s on the contrary difficult to engage with a unknown person, but if you do, it is sincere and genuine and because it has a purpose. In Paris, well…. It’s just hell if what you’re looking for is friendliness :)

[@neutrino78x]

6:15 don't forget about Le Pen. She is basically the French equivalent of Trump. People like that are found all around the world.