things that the French do just a little differently
France, and certainly Paris, it’s my pet project. I worked for years for Marie Claire and that’s why the French culture (let's not forget the Italian) feels like second nature to me. I know them well, but certainly don’t understand everything and find a lot of it quite astonishing and entertaining. That’s why I love reading on Frankrijk.nl, a site run by a French woman and Dutch lovers of France that always hold up the funniest mirror to us. Today, another list came in that I want to share with you. The things that the French do differently.
Typing
In the aforementioned Marie Claire days, I didn’t have a light MacBook from the company but a computer similar to an Atos with a matching bag that my partner always said: “Did the Miele guy come by and forget his equipment?”. Not very fashionable and definitely not travel-proof. It sometimes happened that I had to check some copy in a Paris hotel and wanted to give my feedback.
Aside from the stuttering internet, the keyboard was something that immediately took my vacation feeling to deep Siberia. The letters are arranged differently. France has the so-called AZERTY keyboard. The q, z, w, and a are in different places and the accents are under the letters. That’s actually quite handy, because you need them in France, and try finding a cedilla on a Dutch keyboard.
Then there’s the problem of the @. You won’t find it in France. And if you want me to tell you where it is, we have a problem because it again depends on your keyboard and your brand of computer. So… Assuming you have an Apple; it’s under the #. Good luck.
Be warned, you have this keyboard in Belgium too…
Proceeding at the crosswalk
We are used to the fact that if we even look at the crosswalk, an approaching car stops. In France, they only do that when you actually step onto the black and white path. It feels a bit like Russian roulette (will it stop or won’t it), but believe me: they will stop. You just have to take the initiative. The French like that.
Kissing
“When she kisses you, you give two.” That’s what my publisher whispered to me when I was about to meet the top boss of Marie Claire. I thought to myself, she’s not going to kiss me. But yes, off we went. I just haven’t figured out how many you give. kissing Generally stick to two, then you’re safe. But some people suddenly give four. I’ll get back to you on that someday.
Speaking softly
The French don’t say their name when they answer the phone. They assume the caller knows who they are calling and that it’s none of your business otherwise. But in a company, I find it a bit tricky. Because then you don’t know exactly who you have on the phone. Solution? Call them on their mobile. If you have the number, that is. And why do they whisper so mysteriously?
Shutters closed
You know how it is. You drive into a French village (after you’ve had seventeen roundabouts, such a typical French ‘invention’) and it seems deserted because all the shutters are closed. An old French custom that apparently dates back to the Middle Ages because your tax rate was determined based on your possessions. I’m not making this up, I draw all my knowledge from this source.
A 20 with a pencil
In France, there’s no culture of sixes because a six is a three. Something only starts to resemble ‘assez bien’ at a twelve or fourteen. The French 10-plus is 20 out of 20.
Just a little different
Leave it to a Frenchman to give general international terms a French twist. Not only in pronunciation but also in the grouping of the letters. Aids is called Sida in France, the EU is called UE by them, and they call NATO Otan. Strange guys, those French. But very nice.
Looking for even more fun facts or nice addresses? Then visit my friends. It’s really nice, you know.
