Because my mother will most definitely be the main reader of this blog, and the title of this entry probably made her worry, I should probably explain myself. A lot of our first week here in Aix has been spent learning about French culture, and especially the differences between French and American customs. While there are a lot of things I knew would be different in France: they speak French, use the metric system, and have different outlets; there are a lot of more subtle differences between the countries that I had not anticipated. One of the most striking things for me is how people do not smile at each other when they are walking down the street. I never realized it, but in America, we will smile at everybody--friends, acquaintances, anyone you make awkward eye contact with, children, puppies, etc. We have genuine smiles, fake smiles, polite smiles, and nervous smiles. In France, people only smile when they see someone they know well, and it is an expression of genuine happiness to see them. At orientation they said that if a girl smiles at a boy, it is seen as an invitation, and that if you are smiling at everyone while walking down the street you will either a) look like a crazy person or b) label yourself as an American. Apparently if you smile/interact with a baby or child too much, French mothers will be concerned as to why you are so interested in their child. This is probably the most difficult thing to stop myself from doing, as little kids speaking French is quite possibly the cutest thing in the world.
While it may seem to contradict the previous "rule" about smiling, another aspect of French culture that you learn quick, is the importance of "Bonjour." Whenever you enter a store or café, you must say bonjour. If you don't, it's considered extremely rude. Even when you are at the grocery store (or let's be honest, Monoprix), you MUST say bonjour to the cashier who is ringing up your items. After you groceries (or chocolate bars) are rang up, the way to really impress a French person is to have exact change ready. I think I underestimated this lesson at orientation, but in my personal experience, it's been true. Having exact change ready seems to forgive whatever grammar or vocabulary mistakes that may have occurred in the transaction, and is usually met with a smile, which as I previously noted, are not always easy to come by.
While there seem to be myriad cultural differences to learn, I am definitely starting to feel like I blend in more than I did a week ago. I'm starting to figure out my way around Aix, and I've gotten into a good routine now that my classes have started. Looking back at my last blog post, which was full of anxiety, I can't help but laugh when I realize how well things have turned out, and how none of my fears became realities. Luckily, I'm typing this from my bedroom, so no one can see the huge grin on my face.
While it may seem to contradict the previous "rule" about smiling, another aspect of French culture that you learn quick, is the importance of "Bonjour." Whenever you enter a store or café, you must say bonjour. If you don't, it's considered extremely rude. Even when you are at the grocery store (or let's be honest, Monoprix), you MUST say bonjour to the cashier who is ringing up your items. After you groceries (or chocolate bars) are rang up, the way to really impress a French person is to have exact change ready. I think I underestimated this lesson at orientation, but in my personal experience, it's been true. Having exact change ready seems to forgive whatever grammar or vocabulary mistakes that may have occurred in the transaction, and is usually met with a smile, which as I previously noted, are not always easy to come by.
While there seem to be myriad cultural differences to learn, I am definitely starting to feel like I blend in more than I did a week ago. I'm starting to figure out my way around Aix, and I've gotten into a good routine now that my classes have started. Looking back at my last blog post, which was full of anxiety, I can't help but laugh when I realize how well things have turned out, and how none of my fears became realities. Luckily, I'm typing this from my bedroom, so no one can see the huge grin on my face.