6 STRANGE THINGS I DO NOW IN THE U.S *BECAUSE* I LIVE IN FRANCE
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- čas přidán 12. 06. 2024
- For over a decade here on Oui In France, I’ve been discussing cultural differences between the U.S. and France as well as what it’s been like for me living abroad in France as an American (among other things of course). Part of living abroad is adapting to a new culture and experiencing all the trials and tribulations that come with it. Then, one day there comes a point when you’ve adapted so well to French life that you start incorporating French habits into how you do things when you visit your home country. To that end, here are six strange things I do when I’m stateside that are all precisely because I live in France. ;-)
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Salut! I'm Diane, an American who has lived in France since 2012 and the creator of the blog/CZcams channel Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond." I make videos on French culture topics, France vs. US culture comparisons, with a sprinkling of food, travel, and language topics and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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The only good french way to deal with an unfinished bottle of sparkling wine is not to put it into the fridge with a spoon. It is to finish it.
Why a spoon?
@@siewheilou399 I'm french, it's kind of a myth. It has little to zero effect. It's a thing my grand-parents used to do because they believed in those sort of things. More like an urban legend.
You have to finish it😂
@@arvetemecha For what I heard it has to do with restaurants.
Rumor is it was a way to distinguish empty bottles to opened but not empty bottles... people outside of restaurant culture began to mimic it without knowing why ('cause if pro do it, it must be for a good reason) and invented their own reason.
I don't know how true this story is but sounds credible enough to my ears.
Also, sorry Diane, but science shows it doesn't work for keeping it sparkly.
Being an outsider to both cultures, I just want remark that social politeness is amazing, it doesn't matter your background. We don't need have a 24/7 smile on our faces, but saying hallo, thank you and other polite phrases is the minimum everyone expects from a fellow human being.
As my Dad used to say " politeness costs nothing and pays a lot". Always listen to parental advice ...
I remember a small anecdote that pointed to a funny little cultural difference between France and the US. A few years ago, I (French guy) was on Business trip in the US. I had a few days off and went visiting some Civil Ward historical sites. I was in a shop selling Civil War items and books, and I realised I didn’t know much about the US Civil War, so I went to the counter and asked the guy here if he could recommend a good Civil War history book to me.
He put three books on the counter and started explaining:
“Well, I think these are the best you can find.
This one is a rather simple straightforward one. You will find here all the facts about the Civil War, when it started, how it ended, battle dates, armies involved.
This one is a little bit more comprehensive. Not only will you find the basic facts, but it will also give you some information about their political and economic background.
This last one here is a fully comprehensive study. It explains the buildup of events that politically led to the Civil War. Of course, it will also give you all the facts, along with detailed analysis of their economic and political background. You can
see it earned a Pulitzer… Can’t argue with that.
I would recommend this one (pointing at the first one).”
I was surprised and may even have started. I expected he would conclude by recommending the last one. Had he been French, I’m absolutely positively totally sure he would have concluded by recommending the last one.
Let’s be clear, I don’t blame him in any way. He did a good job, gave me all the information I needed to select a book according to my expectations. Not drawing any conclusion here, I’m just amused at the different attitudes the booksellers will adopt by default:
French: “Of course you will want the most comprehensive book (but here are the others)”
US: “Of course will want the simplest book (but here are the others)”
Some French people are indeed history junkies when they visit abroad.
Everyone gets what is within their reach ?
I don't have time to read. I"m sure there is a 30-second explainer on TikTok or 10-minute (tops) on youtube? I'm Kristi Noem and I approved this message.
@@claudemetzger4579 Or pretend... is within their reach ?
Hi!
I’m French and just started out as an English teacher. Just wanted to say that I find your videos very informative, as it allows me to see the French from an outside perspective.
Now I can understand how people perceive us in other countries, and also the root of certain stereotypes and misconceptions about us (and vice versa).
Also love your attitude about discovering another culture, never judgmental, always just eager to learn the differences.
Your channel broadens minds, keep up the good work! 👍🏼
Bonsoir, Si je peux me permettre, êtes-vous passé par un site , ou avez vous fait une formation spéciale pour enseigner l anglais. Je réside aux usa mais pense un jour retourner en France.( je suis française aussi,). Merci .
Bonjour, j’ai l’impression que la réponse que je vous avais rédigée n’a pas été publiée.
Pour faire court il faut soit passer le Capes (concours) pour être titulaire, soit passer par le site Acloe pour être contractuel.
Les titulaires sont mieux payés et ont un poste fixe mais les contractuels peuvent enseigner à l’endroit qu’ils ont choisi (plus ou moins).
Je suis contractuel et je compte passer le Capes en interne pour rester enseignant dans mon académie de choix.
La plupart des titulaires sont envoyés à Créteil car il y a un système de points en fonction de votre situation (mariée, enfants, handicap etc…) qui détermine dans quelle académie vous pouvez prétendre à enseigner.
Souvent vous vous retrouvez à enseigner là-bas pendant 20 ans avant de pouvoir aller dans votre région natale, donc être contractuel pendant quelques années afin de passer le concours en interne est à mon sens plus intéressant.
À noter que dans tous les cas il vous faudra un niveau licence 3 minimum pour être contractuelle, voire master pour certains concours.
Voilà, j’espère que mes conseils vous seront utiles. :)
Le coup de la cuillère ? Bof, je suis champenois et je pense que la meilleure solution est de finir la bouteille.🤣
Sinon il existe des bouchons spéciaux qui s'adaptent sur tout type de goulot et qui assurent une très bonne étanchéité.
Il est très facile à finir la bouteille de vin si on ne mange pas tout seul, comme un américain. Mais oui, un américain peut toujours boire la grande bouteille entire de soda. Ugh!
PV=nRT. It’s all physics.
Oui, le coup de la cuillère est complètement stupide ! 😬 La cuillère n’arrête pas le gaz !!!! La cuillère peut par contre casser la mousse qui déborde de la bouteille .
@@claude_1c74 Si on ouvre bien la bouteille, il n'y a pas de mousse.
@@christianc9894 Je suis d'accord ! 🤗
It just a good thing to be polite to people no matter where you are.
My experience in France so far when Im visiting is that people are friendly if you are, I have NO FRENCH NONE NADA, but I smile and say Bonjour and try, i have had some hilarious situations with having French people trying to help me say a little bit to help the situation. Buying a house in Vendee in 2 weeks and moving April...Cant wait
Oh! Quelle chance! I l wish I could buy a house in France- especially bc I AM French! Bon déménagement et bonne chance avec la nouvelle vie! = Happy moving and good luck with the new life!😄
I've found that french people are more likely to be friendly if you look like you're trying, for example learning some basic french phrases rather than assuming they can speak english. Obviously, not everyone is helpful and friendly, but that's the case in every country.
Im sorry you cant buy a house in France, but don't for a minute think I waltzing in and grabbing. we are buying a modest house in the countryside with the hope for a better life. @@parisasun2541
What counts as polite changes a lot depending on where you are
The strangest thing I do now when I return to the U.S. is to long deeply to get back on the plane and fly back to France just after I arrive.
I do the same. 🤗
it is because now inside you are french haha
@@deniseclark2139Vive la France!
😂 yes!!!
No surprise there. Thanks to 4 decades of Republican propaganda America is now a playground for the wealthy and an all-consuming work hell for all others.
The spoon thing is a legend that even us, French people, believes in a lot, but it's sadly not true.
Totally agree. This is pure urban legend. Not efficient at all. The best tip is to finish the bottle. Or if you can’t, use a special cap for sparkling drinks, that can withstand residual pressure buildup.
Bonjour! I just finished my first full day (PREVIEWING) living in France. (We are getting our long-stay visas and moving here in three months, but are visiting our apartment now for 3 weeks.) I feel like my French is good enough to get along in a pinch, but bad enough to warn people about first. Warning French people first about my VERY beginning French -- in a fairly well pronounced way -- seems to create good intentions and get folks in a helpful and friendly mood. I LOVE the standard of being more polite here -- it has ALWAYS been my normal way of operating. I'm HOPING to shift into later dinners and later nights in general, but I seem to be a genetic lark (i.e., and EARLY bird). As to tipping IN FRANCE -- I just tipped tonight here in France because I was VERY grateful to the good service and good will at the restaurant tonight. With all that said, I wanted to thank you SO MUCH, Diane, for your hard work on these videos. You are one of the go-to channels for my transition to being a French expat from the US!
Hi Arthur, so glad you're getting settled in and that my videos have been helpful. Thanks so much!
Hi Diane, great video. A couple of things I do in the states, and they're subtle, I keep my fork in my left hand and knife in the right while eating, none of that switching back and forth. And I keep my hands at the table 'above board', that is I don't rest my hands in my lap. Oh, and I really lean into the apero in the afternoon. 🙂
You have made me comfortable being super polite at all times with everyone! Merci, DEE Ann
I just finished reading the "strange noises French people make" and I can't stop laughing. I had never noticed some of these. You have such a good sense of observation! One thing I love is when a small kid does "the growl", it's so stinking cute!
I am in northern France. The weather here is colder, but what I love about France is that we're okay with it because we don't really need to drive a car anywhere. I know all my neighbors, and we get together for parties. We play board games and share meals. I can't say that about the US. In America, you leave your neighbors alone. Here, they come by to check on you, if only to say Bonjour.
@@thordsalmond8189 That's a good excuse to keep something around to munch on.
In the US, you live your neighbours alone ?
How strange. That's not what we've seen in US movies. There is always a neighbour with a piece of pie ringing at the door at the worst moment possible, when the main character has just slaughtered his wife.
Not so much me living in France but visiting my mother who got really Frangerlise when she remarried a Frenchman many years ago. Her French was perfect as she’d had French parents. She is now long gone but my son and I only reminded ourselves of her the other day by remembering her very French ‘Bouff’. But no matter how long she lived there she was always known as ‘The English Woman’ by the way she strode out when she walked to town.
Yes Bouff my mother was half French so French was my first language as a child. I still say Bouff and shrug my shoulders! My Irish husband has got used to my French mannerisms after 45 years.
Bof ! 😉
Le coup de la cuillère, c'est du pipeau. Les bulles dans les effervescents sont fonction de la pression, c'est la loi de Henry "à température constante et à saturation, la quantité de gaz dissous dans un liquide est proportionnelle à la pression partielle qu’exerce ce gaz sur le liquide".
Lu et approuvé par le physicien ci-dessus. Ma commentaire était en anglais.
Experiments were conducted in Epernay and proved that the spoon in the bottle does not preserve the bubbles. You are better to cork it and refrigerate.
I have an American expat friend who has lived in Paris since 2016 and she also makes the raspberry sound on a regular basis. She also eats dinner late, but since she's retired, she often doesn't get out of bed until 10 am, so she eats breakfast and lunch later.
Americans: French people are rude
Dee-Anne: ze French are overly polite.
As a French living abroad, I miss that etiquette when shopping and waiters and cashiers give a smile, a nice word or joke and greet you when you leave. It’s not so common in non Latin countries.
I'm British, I think what some people perceive as french rudeness is actually just not being overly familiar with strangers. It's the same way that Americans are often perceived as being insincere, because they are often *too* friendly with strangers.
Who knew?!! Thanks for the tip on preserving the bubbly 😊
I think when your culture changes, you conform to the life in that area. We tend to adapt to where we are. I actually enjoy learning the "new to me" differences.
My 1st trip to France was 1985. To this day, I write the date dd/mm/yy and my 1s have the front swoop up.
Really enjoy your videos.
Not a French but love France, especially Cote d'azure :)
So glad, thank you!
Thanks so much Diane! I love your videos - so informative and well organized. Thank you for all you do to provide this great information to us - much appreciated!
I really appreciate that.... just woke up and your comment made my day ;-)
Fortunately here in the South we still say please, thank you, sir/ma’am, have a great day, etc. to everyone we have contact with.
Enjoy your channel. Cool nails too 😍 Your advice and information has been very helpful for our yearly trip to St. Barts.
Hello Dee-Anne. C’est Josef. I adore your newest posting. I too have adopted several different ways of pronouncing words and especially politeness during interactions with people who are doing their jobs like at the supermarket or gad stations. It’s wonderful to see how appreciative people in the US are when I do.
In the Us, I still tip at least 20%. But during my visits to France it took me a while not to tip 20%. I’ve had experiences when taking the taxi from CDG to Paris. I offered €5.00 but he wouldn’t accept it and politely demurred. Even waitstaff interacted similarly. So I have learned to pay the price and maybe leave some change less than a euro. It has been astounding how helpful French people have been to me whether asking for directions to my train platform or for information about the local tourist information center.
Looking forward to my next trip. I will have to learn about how to bring my newly adopted French Bulldog, Princess Gigi Woo. With me.
LOL that last slide was too good!!
Glad you enjoyed it. Gotta have jokes
We did give our sommelier a lovely tip on our anniversary dinner. He absolutely MADE the dinner. I find when I’m in the states I am also more socially polite.
In the states, I used my fork to cut. In France, I picked up the habit of using both my fork and knife. Whenever I go home to see my family, my French hubby and I are the only ones using our knives.
Thank you for another great video!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
2.45: Wagner is german and they also prononce V in german as in french and not Wa. So the english pronociation is the weird one !
Yeah but then again the French "er" *is* weird.
When you said you didn't anymore I was all prepared to rant. I worked in a restaurant when I was younger, and I relied on tips.
As a French, I don't tip often in France, but when I went to the US and Canada, I tipped 17% every meal despite not liking the tipping culture. I 100% agree, it's not the waiter's fault!
Another habit I 've from Spain is that I can't have lunch at 12 or 12.30....I don't feel like eating at this time... It sounds too early compared with the Spanish lunch time... between 14.00 and 15.00.....so my family and friends try to make an effort for me and eat later.... 😂😂
Interesting video! I like those characteristics, because they animate the personality.
Sorry Diane, the trick with the spoon doesn't work.
It seems to be a way for the staff in restaurant to point quickly the bottles already opened or not.
And some people thought it was a secret trick of restaurant to keep the bubbles in it .
Old habits in France 😊
Just last week, my husband went out to a creperie in the 15th, and the credit card machine asked me how much I wanted to tip. I was so surprised to see that here.
I have never lived abroad, but I try to be aware of cultural etiquette if I go to an authetic restaurant with food from a foreign country. For example, if I'm at an Asian restaurant, I pour drinks for others first before myself, and when we toast, I lower my glass for those who are older than me. I also never stick my chopsticks in food, as that is reserved for funerals. Of course, they would be forgiving if I didn't know or do those things because they're in the US, but I'm sure they appreciate those who make a concious effort as well.
Tipping has been legally abandoned during the sixties because there was two kinds restaurants use to be "service compris" (no tipping required) and cafés were "service non compris" and what about café-restaurants. So eventually for all kinds of activity government decided that any employee should get a minimum salary (smig) from its employer.And that's how all cafés, restaurants, brasseries salon de thé... became "service compris". I think that there are still certain exeptions in very frequented places like main train stations or airports where gains with tips are so high that workers pay their boss to keep the job.
Tipping in France depends on the circumstance:
1) I'll say when my grandfather celebrates a round birthday and invites the family to a fancy dinner ata restaurant; even though the restaurant isn't cheap in and of itself, that's not the time to put finances first. It's not an everyday occurance, it's an invitation, but there's a showing off aspect to it, so he might tip up to 15%, even though he is really not worried about the server making a living in those kind of restaurants.
2) When my dad takes us to a 'normal restaurant' an italian restaurant, white covers on the tables, but you can theoretically order pizza -- that level -- then he gravitates between 5% and 10%, depending on how he can make a round number.
3) When my Mom takes us to a café to get a hot chocolate, it really depends; back in 2003, '04, when I was just a little Bubele (local German for boy), she might have tipped between 50Ct and 1,50€. Nowadays the norm is around 2€; inflation has done its part, but it's just about rounding numbers up, and potentially skipping one or two to not seem stingy.
4) When you don't sit down, you usually don't tip.
I feel like the greatest motivator for tipping in Europe is not wanting tro be percieved as stingy, even before flirtation, because that can happen, but it's not nearly as ubiquitous.
After studying abroad in the UK for a year, I now get really annoyed when people don't form (or respect the sanctity of) a queue!
And tips are important for the guides :)
1. I use the french versions of my partner's and my brother's names when I'm speaking french, but my name is a little trickier because the french don't really pronounce Hs.
2. I love the little french noises that nobody else seems to make! My favourite is probably "hup".
3. I use a special bottle top to reseal it (the opposite to the vacuum pump ones used for red wine). Keeps it fizzy for several days.
4. This reminds me of when we go to France and my family always have a debate about when to switch to bonsoir. Sometimes we think it's an appropriate time, but then get a bonjour in response 😆
5. I wouldn't have thought of this one, as the french aren't really considered to be late diners (it's more of a Mediterranean thing). The thing we have noticed though is that they're much stricter on mealtimes - we've often struggled to get food when travelling because the natural stop time at a proper services (not one of those loo block and picnic bench ones) doesn't line up with their mealtimes.
6. I like french tipping culture - it just seems sensible.
Aren't tips in most places split between all the staff, unless you specifically say it's for a certain person? So I think that's why people are talking about the food - in many places it's about the whole package.
A Champagne Stopper (bouchons) is much better and they are not expensive.
when you said your name, I thought it was Dyan lol. As a French person who just came back from the US, I had to adapt back at eating dinner at 20. But when I'll be by myself, I think I'm going to try and eat at 18 again because I eventually liked it, it makes you start your evening sooner and feel ready for bed sooner too, and I need my beauty sleep!
Another great video, very interesting. Not sure if you ever did a video on this but if not would you consider doing a video on if you think you’re healthier in France. Did you notice any changes in how you felt health wise? I hear the food in the US is so much worse for you than in France.
Hi Michelle, great question!
I've never done a video on that but for me personally, my habits are pretty similar. I've always tried to buy good quality food (easier to do in France though), fitness has been a priority of mine since college, I make a point to walk at least 30 minutes a day (in addition to just my regular steps around house and my workout).
I feel like I'm exposed to more second hand smoke in France just being out and about than I was in the U.S.
It's not an apples to apples comparison though. I lived in NYC and now live in a much smaller town. I work for myself in France so no commute. I also have a husband to share my life with in France so mentally, I'm more relaxed here than I was a decade ago back in the U.S. Mental health is a hard one to measure because I think life can be hard for everyone everywhere.
I think some aspects of me having a better life here are circumstantial and not because of France specifically, if that makes sense. Like things I have particularly made a point to seek out or do.
I think a more stark contrast would have been if I lived in rural America and moved to Paris.
Thank you again for the question. Those are just my quick thoughts. Will reflect on the question.
Most habits are fine to bring back. However when I first came home after living 4 years in England I occasionally caught myself driving on the wrong side of the road.
Sorry to ruin it for you, but the spoon thing in the bottle of sparkling wine to keep it bubbly doesn't work at all.
In restaurants, it was probably to make the difference between empty bottle and other opened bottle that still had some in them.
It's still better to put a cork in them even if it won't last 48 hours.
I was taught proper tipping by a truck stop waitress:
10% for “ordinary” service.
15% for really good service.
20%-25% for great service or if I’ve been unusually demanding.
1¢ for poor or indifferent service or a rude waitstaff. (It tells them you remembered but they sucked)
Crémant d'Alsace is lovely
After studying in France, I still always use slippers whenever possible.
Vous avez raison c'est plus hygiénique.
Hello the tip in France is optional. If you're satisfied you can give 5 to 15%.
I think the Y generation doesn't give often tips.😊
We do the spoon in the sparkling wine bottle thing here in Germany too.
Hi Diane. Regarding tipping, which seems to be a recurring topic when comparing France - and Europe in general - to the US, you must explain it from the perspective of the customer. Too often, incomplete explanations make French and Europeans look miserly. Let's look at the price a patron pays in a restaurant in both countries. A reasonable assumption is that, for a given category of restaurant, a meal should cost approximately the same in Europe and in the US. So, let's consider a price of 100€ plus an additional 20€ for an alcoholic beverage as a reference. In the US a patron will pay 120€ + 20 to 25% tip = 144 to150€. In France the same patron will pay 100€ + 15% service charge + 10% VAT and, for the beverage, 20€ + 15% service charge + 20% VAT = 154€ in total and nothing optional. No wonder the French will let much smaller tips!
I don't completely agree with the count. In France, the prices displayed already take into account the service and VAT. (which is not the same for food and alcohol, by the way. So the math is not good... 😊
Before you even started the video, I was SURE that the greetings/salutations would be part of it! 😄I also use way more greetings or at least acknowledge people (store workers in particular) more than I used to, even if it's just a "thank you" as I'm leaving the self checkout. And, I do the same thing with my name. I'm "rah-SHEL" in French, and I also have a "w" in my last name that I pronounce as a "v" in French.
in France it's common to give to shopkeepers and cashier attendant small talks. I saw my father joke with them every time we went to do errands, when i was a kid so now i'm automaticaly polite and respectfull whth all these people. two of my exs are cashier and one of them is even fun when customers are at her checkout.
Strangely, these small talks are rare in other places (people don't speak to each others in a lift or in place like that)
Love your lipstick! Very Pretty.
Thank you!
The ‘raspberry’ little part of speech. I’m surprised that lasted through Covid and beyond, since you are essentially spitting softly into the air in front of you.
lol
Hello Diane,
thanks for your interesting points about cultural differences between France and the USA.
Just don't judge to harshly the poor Frenchies who are just not aware of the waiters' status in America
and of the necessity of tipping them 20% of the bill...
Of course some of my fellow countrymen may dodge the tipping in the USA out of sheer meanness, and I agree that those ARE very rude indeed.
But I think that the vast majority of French tourists in America just haven't a clue about that issue, and that they take it for granted that the tipping customs must be just the same as in France...
As a French teacher of English, I must confess that I don't take the time to mention that point to my students when teaching them about American traditions, especially with teenage students who are more interested in American festivals such as Hallowe'en or Thanksgiving, or such as cheer-leaders at football matches than in manners at the restaurant...
Sorry for our often being rude, but most of the time, we're just not suspecting that we're doing it wrong...
Christophe BROUSSE
Bonjour and Hello,
In La Belle Province (Québec), when dealing with French tourists, waiters will "kindly remind" that tips are mandatory, for they (QC waiters) are fully aware of the French customs on that matter.
On the other hand, as a rule of thumb, a tourist going somewhere abroad is somehow expected to gather informations about the local way of living before entering the country, n'est-il pas ? 😉 But not all tourists are egal 🙃
@@Claude_Terrieragreed, when we travel, we are expected to learn a little about the culture and to abide to the rules. It seems that a lot of Europeans (not just the French) think that this doesn't apply to them. Funny how always see videos of them criticizing American tourists but never reflect on what they do as tourists themselves.
Halloween and thanksgiving are not a festival in the US,
when you say Dee anne Vagner it's not a mispronunciation, it's simply the right way to say it!😁
I am french and I am always clueless when tipping in the USA.
I have probably over-tipped and under-tipped many times in the past (it doesnt help that I am always using crédit card vs cash, and I am not great at mental math)
But I am doing my best, and I prefer to risk over-tipping than the opposite.
In France I either round up the bill when the service was nice, or don't tip if the service was mediocre. And I used to be a waitress (in France) when I was a student. We used tip jars that are split between the staff, kitchen staff included, not only the waiters.
The Anglicization of names has tripped me up talking to Americans. I remember an occasion where I phoned three persons in a corporation until someone recognized an executives name pronounced correctly. He later told me he had given up years ago correcting his colleagues so now it had become his norm. You could make a whole series about Hungarian and Irish names.
It makes me chuckle that Americans often claim to be a melting pot of cultures and yet also insist on anglicising things that don't need to be anglicised.
Diane is definitely dee-ane in french :) the same way when I go to NZ, I pronounce Raphael in a different way, because english speakers cant pronounce the french "ra"
I don't want to be nitpicky, but Wagner is not really a French surname, but rather German. It is ranking place 7 on the list of most common names in Germany. The suffix -er is very typical for German family names, especially for names deriving from professions or occupations. So is Wagner - which is the term for the oldfashion profession of wheel or wagon builder. In North Germany the terms Radmacher or Stellmacher used to be more common, the first also a common surname. Though Wagner is very common all over the country, you will find the name even more often in Southern and Central Germany - there are also in variants: Wegner, Wegener, Wehner or Weiner.
It was just an example. That's not my actual last name (mine is of German origin)
Cheers, from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.
haha, you have the 'i' sound right on point, but your 'a' sound is still English ^^
Think mor 'ah' like in 'lava'; vulcanic 'lava'. Or the 'ah' sound in a Manchester accent if you've ever heard one:
'Dahddy, when will we be 'lahnding' in 'Lahnden?'
as I heard a little girl adress her father once on a plane in the cutest voice humanly possible.
My father is French, but I'm born and raised in Germany, so I've got an ear for the French accent, even in English, and have had it for a while.
Now when I was 7 or 8 years old we started reading the Harry Potter books together in French, and they adapted some names,
but you start of with the Veronon Dursley driving home to his son Dudlley in Privet Drive, obviously Petunia is just used as a French name,
so is Harry even though the name clearly isn't French originally --- 'arRY' --- Vernon can be easily adapted --- but Dursley, Privet Drive and Dudley pose a difficult problem.
You can either pronounce them English, which requires you to fullstop midstentence,
activate English language support and break off with the comings and goings of French prosody and enunciation --
--- or you double your effort and give it a brutal French accent.
I tried English a few times, you'd think that it's rather easy, you manage to switch rather smoothly from German and back, so why not French?
Because it's just different.
I am guilty of putting thick French accents on English words, because in a French sentence, it can be really rough doing them justice.
Then again it was hilarious seeing a bunch of anglophones shout 'Veve la FraNce!' in Les Misérables -- it really is a two-way street XDD
When cutting meat, I do not switch my fork back to my right hand to eat. I also eat with both hands on the table. I eat the salad last. Je ne faisais plus la dance de la forchette et couteau et je mange avec les deux mains sur la table. Je mange la salade au fin du repas.
hello I think this pink color is perfect for you. It goes very well with your skin tone.
Oh thank you!
I love the the French pay for a Gateau with a cheque !!!
Le coup de la cuillère, ça marche pas ! 🤣 Mais pas du tout !
Mont Saint Michel image, nice ^^
Where's the crossroads, Paris? Lyon?
And the last one with the tower must be in the south, right? Provence or Occitane?
Myth Busters did the spoon test - and there is no difference with wine or champagne with or without the spoon overnight. Even the CIVC, an association of winemakers in Champagne, says the spoon is a myth and that keeping it cold before and after opening is what is most essential if no stopper is available.
Curious.
sorry diane but the spoon for sparklling wine, don't work, and could not work, just put a cork like any wine, try it you will see? by the way I am french and I like your videos. And by the way I tip in restaurants, except if it was awfull(serice), and about 5 %, but I know it is not common for french people. I do it because they don't earn a lot of money as waitress or cook(minimal )
Bonjour Diane. When I got back from France, I tried to start bagging my own groceries and the cashier told me that the bagger would do it for me. And I was like, "Oh yeah. Thanks!" 🇺🇸🤝🇫🇷☺️😆
Yah that's a good one. No baggers in France anywhere
What is a bagger for my knowledge? ^^
@@horek1136 A bagger is someone who works behind a cashier and puts groceries into bags for you to take home. The cashier scans the items you buy then the bagger packs up your purchases for you to then to take your purchases home while you are paying the cashier. It's about speedy service!
@@horek1136 maybe someone that put what you bought in bags for you ?
@@bounoki6015 yeah sounds like you're right. But I'm wondering if you have to pay for it and if you have the choice to decline bagger's help ^^
Try some Vouvray ! It's from the Loire Valley (Close to Tours) and better than a Crémant
Different strokes for different folks. I like most dry white wines but Crémant will always be a favorite of mine.
We went to Tour this past November and did a wine tour. Amazing the Sparkling Vouvray
@@martinasandoval5326 Yes! And you can even choose between 'Brut' and 'Demi-sec'. Less than 20 euros for a bottle.
We use fork and knife when eating now. It is so practical.
Hello from Dubai. Dian!!! I hardly get notifications about ur videos. I dunno why !!! Just saying !
My videos don't show up in your subscriptions feed? Sounds like a bug. I know they don't always show up in subscribers' home feeds but if you're subbed, you should see them in your sub feed ;-)
Geez. I pronounced my name the way it was culturally appropriate at age 17. lol
God-my mother hated the raspberries!! I had such a habit when I came home! Lolol
I definitely always greet shop workers/thank them when I leave. It’s been almost 40 years… 😂
I’ve never left an open bottle of sparkling wine for the next day. Impossible!
Btw, Diane is also a French name, pronounced Diane as you just said. So it's not "mispronounced" when it exists in both languages😉. It's pronounced differently.
Agree with social politeness. In the US, I am annoyed by the over-the-top fake friendliness of strangers/store clerks: calling you honey, sweety,... I Hate that. So tacky and uncalled for. Thankfully, Ii live in NYC, lol. ☺
The super politiness seems to be a thing here in Minnesota as well. I wonder if that gets picked up on in France.
The spoon thing is a fallacy, the sparkling wine should keep its bubbles for one or two days.
Sparkling wine you must drink till the bottle is empty
You should devote a whole video to the tipping culture in France vs the US, as well as French culture regarding giving money to beggars. This is an interesting culture thing.
Hey Dianne, just saying hi-moved to Courçay this year. 🎉
Cool, how do you like it?
@@OuiInFrance Totally love it!
I know exactly what you mean I'm French but my first language is English, my first name is Josiah which is really hard to pronounce in French so I usually let people pronounce it whichever way is easiest for them.😅
When I was working in Paris, some 20 years ago I found a book, "A Year In The Merde" by Stephen Clarke. It was hilarious, brilliant, merciless, and quite accurate. But remember, Paris != France, it's a terrible place to live in when you're not a millionnaire.
I love his books!
I do the same as you with my name..... Emmanuelle is impossible to pronounce correctly for Spanish people, the "u" sound is hard for them. So, I cut it to Emma.... And I also use it now when I come back in France....
Emmanuelle Macron 😂
UK do the spoon in bottle thing too
U can also make the raspberry sound less "farty" and just more slightly "spitty" imo =D😅
Saying hello & goodbye to everyone everywhere in the States. Asking if things are open between 12 & 2pm.
I have been living in Norway for 30 years now. And when I am back in France, each time I enter a home, I systematically wear off my shoes. It is a question of respect. people often look at me as if I am an alien doing so.
Une maison de champagne a fait l'expérience en ouvrant plusieurs bouteilles reparties en trois groupes. Le premier groupe recevait un bouchon, le second rien du tout et le troisième la célèbre petite cuillère. Après 24 heures, il ne restait de bulles que dans les bouteilles ayant reçu un bouchon. Après 72 heures, il ne restait plus rien...
Il semble que la légende vient d'une habitude des professionnels de la restauration, qui repèraient de cette façon des bouteilles dans lesquelles il restait une certaine quantité de vin... Je ne sais pas si c'est vrai...
Thank you, Lady Diane, for your funny and instructive videos! As for the teaspoon in the bottle of Crémant, you might want to reconsider... 😊
wagner is german basedso french says it like german/austrian (like volksWagen)......wallace/wellington is told like the british .
Please help answer a question: in Paris we had a fantastic driver for four days. We looked up what to tip, and ultimately gave him $200, which was considered the maximum suggestion, about 10 percent. But being an American, I still feel like we should have tipped more. Others said to tip more would have looked weird or even insulting. What are your thoughts?
Can you clarify the total cost of the driver? And what were his duties? Was he driving you around and staying with the group for 8+ hours a day or just someone you called to be a taxi service here and there? Just in Paris or was he driving you to Mont St Michel, etc.? I'd need to know more about what he did.
If this was a specific service for tourists, someone working in the tourism industry, tips are pretty standard since they're working with foreigners who are accustomed to tipping but it's true that TOO much of a tip would be a bit unusual. But appreciated. Anyway, let me know the answers to my q's above and I can say more.... curious to know what others think.
I'm also curious to know the conditions. It depends on what was the job and what you can afford to pay. I would say that either you really tipped too much because employees don't get tips. Sometimes they are even not allowed to accept them. Either the tip was extremly generous. In France we are not used to tip a lot so tips are nowhere mandatory and their are no fixed %. If a rich person is satisfied about a meal in a restaurant, if they decide to tip, it may be higher than if it was a person who don't have much money. For a private driver, if you can afford high tips I'd say there are not high or low limit. For a taxi driver no tips is ok. I don't know if my answer is easy to understand. I've a feeling I mixed everything 😂
I actually learned to spoon trick in the 70’s (when I was a kid) to keep a Coca-Cola (glass bottle) from going flat - I can attest that it works too! No idea where my parents learned that. Never thought of doing that with champagne - thanks for the tip! Fun video!
Hello Diane
I had a huge problem to spell my last name which start with a J....when o moved to the States as J and G are reverse in french.. Then I moved back to France after 15 years and couldn't spell my name properly....
Love your videos
So funny, Christian. I totally just played out how that would go in my head. It's J, G, J, wait a minute... a - m - lol
So lad you enjoy my work!
Hi Diane could you make a video on the differences between Halloween in France and in the United States
Will keep it in mind for next year! Thx
I'm Southern i have long conversations with all clerks, waiters/waitresses ❤
Does it have to be a solid silver spoon or can it be a stainless steel spoon?
Stainless steel is fine (although you'll see comments here that say it doesn't work), and definitely has helped me out in a pinch!
I don’t understand. Do Servers at restaurants in the US work without salaries?
They received lower wages and they top it off with tips. They actually make more money in tips than if they were actually paid $15/ hrs. Not only that , since they receive cash, they tend to report less income to the IRS.
@@martinasandoval5326 First, where you’re right: if you work in a high-end restaurant, yes you’ll be good (bartenders on weekends are doing great too). But in a regular restaurant, counting hours of lower attendance, you don’t get to $15/h; most places split the tips with the rest of the staff (also badly paid) and when times are harder, people go to restaurants less and also tip less. As for not reporting your tips, in what century do you live? Most tips are by plastic and the IRS knows and will flag you if you’re out of normal.
If it was so great, owners would gladly give their employees $15/hours and raise their prices, wouldn’t they? Instead they fight teeth and nails for a system where they guilt-trip the customers, somehow similar to corporate welfare.