My friend and I looked at each other– “is that what it looks like?”
Category: Culture (Shock)
How I Ran Away to France, the First (and Second) Time: TAPIF
The deadline for application is coming up, so if you’re thinking about doing TAPIF yourself, here are some factors that might help you decide.
Bachelor, Le Gentleman Célibataire
Caught this on French TV last night. Looks like they didn’t have to do too much to repackage this masterpiece overseas…
Friends in French
How do you translate a personality?
Just call me “sir.”
Receiving emails addressed to “Monsieur” will never get old. I am in fact a woman named Jillian (Jill). Both of these spellings are rather unusual and ambiguous in France, and apparently more masculine than feminine. I’ve met French people with whom I’d previously only communicated via email who have admitted to me, “I actually thought…
French Tact
The following is loosely translated from French: Me: So, what else do you want to ask your American penpals? 10-year old French student: Are you fat? Me: That’s not a very nice question- and it’s also a stereotype. French student: Write it, write it! Me: They’re going to think French students are very impolite. French…
Melted!
Living in Europe threatens my already-tenuous cultural identity.
Cultural Tells
These mannerisms are like little poker tells – they would shout, “BONJOUUUUUUUR!” if I saw them outside of France.
Transient Local 