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Differences in our French Countryside life vs the USA
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2024
- Small things in daily life that feel very different than the USA and shape our days as a family living in the French Countryside of the Dordogne.
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00:00 How Life is Different
00:50 Store Hours in France
02:36 French School Schedule
04:43 Fresh Food
05:45 Advertising & Commercials
07:14 French Countryside Events
09:29 Small Businesses
11:47 Slow Living in France
14:09 Delivery Services
About Us:
We are an American family of 3 who moved to France for an extended stay adventure in 2022.
We wanted to experience Europe as more than rushed tourists on a 10-day vacation. To dive into the culture, learn a new language, experience daily life, and truly know what it was like to work and live somewhere other than the US.
In France, we set up a business, enrolled in a middle school, found housing, and even got our cat a European passport!
While in the US preparing to leave, the information we found about staying in France for longer than a short vacation was directed at college students, young & single digital nomads, or retirees. Where was the useful information for families like us?
With a year under our belts in France, we created Baguette Bound to pass on what we have learned. We hope to make it easier and inspire other families who are interested in experiencing a long stay in France with their families. Stay tuned for more information on French culture, local travel ideas, and the logistics of moving across the world.
Contact us or follow our journey @ baguettebound....
#movetofrance #france #americansinfrance #expatlife #expatinfrance #expatmistakes #baguettebound #frenchcountryside #frenchcountry #frenchlife #frenchlifestyle
When I moved to France, I didnt realize there was less advertising. I only did when I went back to the US to visit family that I noticed how it was everywhere. I grew up used to it but after living in France for a while I just can't watch TV in the US anymore because of it. In France an hour long tv show will have one commercial break, in the US it'd be 4 or 5.
Yet you always hear french people complaining about how there's too much advertising on TV or radio. That's why brands and medias cant spam them more, because it'd have a counter effect and would make french people hate them. In the US we like to make fun of the french constant complaining but it works, that's how they keep their government and big corps on their toes.
Another great video, love your channel.
You are very optimistic about the efficiency of complaining in France. Big medias don't advertize more because it's not legal
The lack of tv advertising sounds great. Here in Australia the ad breaks in tv programmes can be 4-5 an hour. Worse than that the volume increases considerably. Do they think we’ll buy more if they try to deafen us? I just hit the mute button & make a cup of tea!
@@MrMf92 yes but it's not legal because people fought not to let advertisers get unchecked
In case of advert, I zap.
Nous aimons râler oui. Mais n'est ce pas aussi ce qui, peut-être, fait aussi parti du charme français?. :)
I'm American and moved to the south of France nearly 5 years ago. I think to sum up what you said, the French are more "group" rather than "individual" minded. They eat together and bsically at the same time. Employees are encouraged to go out of the work place to eat by giving them dining checks. People seem to be more wary of each other on the road. You really feel like you are part of a community on a daily basis. picking up your baguette in the mornings, catching up with those who grow your food at the market, etc. You walk more and beause of that you run into people you know often! In the U.S. you are in a car much of the day and eat lunch at your desk. Then at the end of the day, you get a mere few moments before it's time to go to bed and face the "mill" again the next morning.
regarding the shop and restaurant times, it is not that much about group behaviour, it is also respect of teh working time for the shop and restaurant workers. the cook, needs time to get the meal ready properly and the morning is teh preparation time, the waiter has to get the room ready and cleaned after for a good service. it is all about making the things right so that everybody can enjoy it.
And for La Poste or the parties, this is public service or public organised, not by companies, and the people in charge striongly believe that all of the community deserve it, not just the oe that can afford it, I find it so much more interesting to allow everyone to participate if they wish so.
It an interesting perspective. As a Frenchman, I always feel like the French society is very focused on the individual, and the US one on communities. So it's interesting to see those difference and those perceptions.
@@LeSarthois I really think it depends on the location, in the United States as in France. I find this sense of community in regions like Provence or the French Alps (I've lived in both places). A "big" city (Annecy or Aix en Provence) where the whole region comes to shop, go out, participate in events, etc., and only small villages and medium-sized towns nearby where you can meet or easily chat with people. I also lived in Lille, and it was much more “Parisian” in the city center, and “Americanized” in the suburbs. More individual. I suppose we find the same thing in the US. Cities more focused on business, and others on a calmer way of life.
We used to have big billboards but they ve banned because of visual pollution.
@@LeSarthoisils parlaient pas des parisiens, et toi tu parles du communautarisme qu'il soit ethnique ou économique tres américain effectivement
Hi guys I am french and it’s so lovely to hear your feedback about my country. Makes me smile and re-discover my country. Would love to have you as my neighbors 😘😘
C'est rigolo, j'ai penser la même chose!
In France we just take the time to share, to drink, to eat, to meet, to talk, to chill, to read, to live...
Money is not our priority, it's happiness.
Not everyone, not everywhere. But yeah, it's the ideal way of life here. I have lived for many years in Paris and Lyon, but now, me, my wife and our two daughters, we own a nice house in a small city in the countryside. Lyon is not fa, country is at the door, we have all services and a garden, wonderful view and a sense of community within the village despite multiple people of multiple origins and confessions. It's a nice way to live.
money is not priority for wealthy people...
arrete de rever la france est anvahi de clandestin africain et musulman il y a plus de 150 attaque au couteaux par jour on enferme pas la moitie des criminels violent est on laisse la racaille de cite bruler des ecole et piller des magasins
@@fabiendalmasso Exacly. In France we talk about "hygiène de vie". this can be translated as "healthy living".
Two very positive things I’ve noticed about France is that they don’t have advertising that brainwashes kids about food. In the US, kids’ tv shows are full of ads for unhealthy, hyper-processed foods. They’ll also refer to kids as picky eaters, which they aren’t, naturally. I’ve never seen that in France.
Another thing I like is that French pharmacies are individually-owned & a pharmacist can own only 1 pharmacy. The result is fantastic customer service, pharmacists who actually know many of their clients & a thoughtful selection of things they sell apart from medication.
I’ll also add that the expression “Americans live to work & the French work to live” is 💯% true. I’m glad you’re enjoying the lifestyle.
And in France, it is a legal obligation for processed food and candy ads to remind people to eat fruits and vegetables daily.
There are other legal obligations such as encouraging people to walk or bike when advertising for cars; limiting your alcohol consumption in beer/wine/liquor commercials; saving energy when advertising for utility companies; or to give the translation of foreign language slogans (including English first and foremost) in French. Etc.
Both of those things, but especially the first one are entirely law driven. Advertising toward kids is taking very seriously here.
The French Health ministry is very serious about food and especially advertising it
You have no idea.
Less than 10 years ago automatic vending machines were banned in high schools and some laws have been passed locally in the métropole de Lyon to ban advertising screen in the metro and bus stands to reduce blue light
About pharmacists it’s not totally accurate : there are chains of pharmacies like Aprium or La Fayette.
But maybe they are franchisees.
Yes’ they are franchises.
There are ads in France. Less than in the US, but certainly more that from other countries. Big ads panels in suburbs have started to be more regulated in the last years.
One of the solution for delivery is to choose the delivery to be done to a partner shop near your home. Once you get the delivery mail or SMS you can go pick up your parcel at a convenient time for you, avoiding waiting at home all day long or getting the famous "avis de passage" even if you were home...
A lot of your relaxed French life comes from the fact of living in the countryside.
Life in the Paris, Marseille or Lyon areas is much more stressful and with a lot less social interaction.
the social interactions is less natural and more divided by age in big cities indeed, it will mainly come from happy hours/afterwork in bars, cultural/seasonal events and clubs activities (sports, arts, etc...)
You have no idea what you are talking about in big cities.
In Lyon all residents are invited to free events every summer from June to August for free or a minimum fee with no age limitations
Dancing balls are organized by some associations all year long
I could give you exemple of inclusive events in big cities you have no idea
It’s just the scale of the community makes it that you need to find the information that’s all and the sheer amount of events is overwhelming you have no idea
@@remy2824Yea, I have no idea of France and big cities, being French and having lived 30 years in the Paris area...
@@remy2824"a lot". A LOT. Not all.
Of course there are events in big cities, but usually you won't have many interactions with many people, because there are A LOT of people, that you don't know. You'll usually stay here for the mood, with your family or friends, but that's it. In the countryside, interactions are more frequent, because there are less people. People become close more easily, you know everyone and don't have to worry about someone looking strange who might harm you. Pickpockets and all, in a small village, are easier to notice. It's easier to have fun when you don't have to worry about other things.
No one said there are no events, but that a lot of the relaxed life they can live is due to the peacefulness of the countryside.
Same with La Poste and deliveries. It's something they don't have to worry about. In large cities, mailmen tend to just put a letter in your mailbox saying they came but no one was there (when it's false, I was at home the whole day). In the countryside it happens less often, they actually knock at your door or at least ring the bell. Because there are less people, because they know you, because it's a house with a garden so they can hide it somewhere behind the wall... This alone gives you more peace, you don't have to worry as much
@@gsbeakyes, probably due to Parisians in general & living in a much bigger city. I live in Toulouse & so many events going on that it’s hard to.choose from & people know each other in their neighborhood probably because they shop at the local stores in the neighborhood.. I’m always bumping into friends or people who live in my small residence 🌸
I am french and I love watching your videos in order to improve my english understanding skills !
Thank you, I'm so glad!
Also if you forgot an ingredient on a Sunday, you can always go & ask your neighbors if they have it. It is perfectly fine to do here in France.
You just invite them for dinner next Sunday :)
totally, a lot of things that are mentioned in this video are true but it tends to decrease so happy to see people who can enjoy this kind of thing and make it live
It's not fine, stop annoying your neighbors on sunday...
@@22Epic are you even living in France? Of course it’s totally fine. Sure it’s not about asking the entire ingredients list of a recipe. But if you need a lemon, a bit of pepper or sugar it’s totally fine. It’s even a bit a bonding experience with your neighbours.
@@Ndriana Try that in one of the no-go zone in France. Good luck mate.
@@22Epic I grew up in French "no go zone" and i've bought a house in a sweet town now. The solidarity is the same, perhaps even more in the "no go zone". Sure you don't know it.
I am a french man and I enjoy so much my sundays. Great time for hiking and resting.
don't vote RN. They will destroy France if they get a chance
Yes!! We love French Sunday. I couldn't go back to living without them.
Aussi La sainte messe!
@@michaelgray5137every dimanches mornings or samedi evenings 🙏🏻✝️
I’m Franco-American & I love how my city is a whole different place on sunday.. the only people you encounter in the street in the morning are people going to get their bread & croissants for the family breakfast time.
Long story short, this is called civilized living. All the issues are not just French the same goes for almost all European countries. The USA is a money-driven circus show. Please enjoy your life here in French
Well said. And thank you.
I’m ready to pack my bags!
I have lived here in France for 24 years, born in Spain, lived in England and moved in 2000. I wonder if in the US you all take advantage of working all available hours because you have to pay for healthcare, (unless you are covered by your employer ?) there's no Sécu.
Even from a French person perspective, these kind of comparison videos are fascinating. It's very factual, very accurate and informative about both lifestyle.
The last point about last mile delivery was hilariously accurate guys. But I guess if you're an American subscriber living in an area with a ton of package theft, knowing that in France, if you're not home, your local delivery driver won't leave your package out in the open unattended and will make it available in a secure delivery point for you to go get it at a later time can be super reassuring.
Keep'em coming guys! Another great vid!
La poste used to be a public company but it's still a kind of public service and many postmen postwomen have kept this nice spirit. Everything is not just about money 😊
it still is owned 100% by the state
Hello I am French, I have seen several of your videos and I find you so kind, friendly and open-minded! I hope your life in France will not disappoint you and I wish you the best! 🥰
When the package is small and does not require a signature, if you are away, the delivery person will put it in the mailbox if there is enough space (this is the case for amazon packages). If you are absent, you can ask for the package to be dropped off at a relay point, there are some in local shops near you. I live in the countryside, I know my postman and she is also very helpful
Merci! 😊
It’s nice to see that France is still connected to humanity and is less about doing business at all times.
Culture and leisure have always been developed in France more than in other countries because France is due to its temperate climate and its abundance of water with many rivers and rivers, a fertile country and rich in agriculture, its inhabitants had no difficulty in feeding themselves and were thus not obliged to work constantly to survive the difference of inhabitants of other countries whose soil was poor , so that the French who were assured of being able to feed themselves easily could devote more free time to other occupations than work. the Germans have a saying "Happy as God in France."
The fertility of its land being able to feed all its inhabitants, this explains that the French emigrate very little unlike inhabitants of other countries whose poorer soil cannot feed all the popilation like the Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Irish, Scandinavian countries. The fertility of its land has made itthis in history have often been coveted by the neighboring countries of France from where many wars suffered by France which has been invaded many times in its history because it is not protected naturally by the sea and the oceans like the United Kingdom or United States which on the map, have had no powerful neighbors like Scotland for England or Mexico and Canada for the United States while France had to face the Middle Ages to the English whose kings of French origin had hereditary lands in France and wanted expands France,and the Holy Roman Empire then Germany or Spain with its huge colonial empire in the 16-17th century .
@@domitiusafer thanks for your interesting comment. I would add that the laws in France do protect our way of life. They keep the Sunday off as often as possible, it bans excess commercials, it promotes small businesses.
The US have a liberal economy that promotes business, the strongest, fastest wins…living behind some businesses and the environment.
Many French have a minimum of 5 weeks, but often it is around 7 to even 9 weeks off (my wife has 11 weeks off as a university lecturer researcher).
@@lepouldukerzellec1149 It depends on the profession in fact but the State in France pays its officials in days off to compensate for low salaries. Thus French officials were granted 15 days of paid leave by Napoleon III in 1853, a measure that will not be extended to all French people until 1936 by the socialist government.This French practice of remunerating employees by days off so as not to increase salaries is still ongoing with the law of 2001 establishing the 35 weekly hours of work which allowed French employers to lower salaries in France in order to meet foreign competition because minimum salaries previously calculated on the basis of 39 hours per week are now calculated on 35 hours weekly which makes them mechanically lower, people who accepted this cut because of the extra days off. No entrepreneur or politician in France wants to question the 35 hours a week as much as employers have obtained the elimination of breaks and the possibility of making it easier to work on weekendsin rotating team the employees which allows to amortize the machines which turn thus 7 days out of 7 which explains that the productivity was not affected in France by the 35 hours weekly In fact the French now have half as many days off as they had before 1789 under the former royal regime with Sundays and Catholic religious holidays because the anti-Catholic revolutionaries abolished religious holidays and the days of associated rest and Sunday rest day , Robespierre suppresses the 7-day Christian week with Sunday rest and replaces it with the 10-day week the decade..;
The Sunday rest day and the 7-day Christian week will be reinstated by Napoleon in 1802 with the Concordat signed with the Pope but the 3rd Republic will remove the Sunday rest day in 1880 so that people in France will work non-stop in France without a day of rest, except on secular holidays such as 1 May or 14 July, which is declared a national holiday. The day of rest on Sunday would not be re-established until 1906 in order to reconcile the Catholic population hostile to the implementation of the 1905 laws establishing the separation of Church and State with laïcité which is too often confused abroad with securitism.The laïcité is also a characteristic typically French poorly understood by foreigners. Republican politician Gambetta said that "French secularism is not an export article."This detachment, indifference or even contempt or mockery of the vast majority of French with respect to religions inherited from the French philosophers of the 18th century in particular from Voltaire can surprise and shock foreigners attached to religion
@@domitiusafer Very well explained. Thank you.
@@helycrisea8189If France has long benefited from the agricultural fertility of its soil that allowed it to have a population largest in Europe until"'at the beginning of the 19th century, which allowed it to have large fiscal resources and a large number of soldiers and to defeat alone several coalitions of European states enemies, some economists explain that this advantage gradually turned into a handicap at the time of the industrial revolution in the late 18th and 19th centuries .The importance of the French population meant that companies with cheap labour paid very low wages and therefore had no interest in investing in the mechanization of the industrial tool, hence a delay taken by France in the industrial revolution compared to Great Britain where the population is less numerous, Companies had to pay more for workers and invested in the mechanization of the industrial tool to reduce production costs. In addition, the higher wages in Britain than in France have allowed a consumer society to develop.Secondly, a large population unoccupied because not exclusively engaged in working to survive generates the bubbling of ideas and many revolts . Hence the political choice of the leaders so deliberate to keep low wages in France in order to occupy enough time at work to earn their living people and the refusal by Consequently, to facilitate mechanization that could give more free templs to the French to deal with politics or revolt instead of spending their time working to earn their life. The whole policy of the French governments for centuries has therefore consisted in reducing the duration of the free time of the French considered too important because of the ease to feed themselves due The soil fertility and therefore dangerous for the forest, to avoid them challenging the government in place ;Thus this explains that the demand for free time in France with particularly the reduction of working time is part of a political struggle for centuries of the population against its rulers.
Finally, the state in France having to use its resources to protect its territory from its enemy neighbors was forced to invest massively in military expenditures at the expense of The United States and Great Britain are naturally protected from land invasions by sea , and the"The United States and Great Britain , with no powerful neighbours, needed only a navy and did not need strong land armies, so they were able to invest primarily in their industry.
I'm French born and raised, and I lived in the US for a few years (and loved it), and I completely agree with your list of things.
I'm so glad you're enjoying living here so much. Definitely two different experiences from France to the US and vice versa, but so enriching. 🙂
Yes, trying to receive a delivery often exasperates us, and we are home 95% of the time, but after a few years of practice, we now usually succeed on the first delivery attempt.
One thing I've noticed living in the French countryside is the congeniality. Once people who live nearby have seen us several times, they will engage us in conversation if we are passing by -- and that's with our less-than-fluent grasp of French. Our "next-door" neighbours engage us every time we are outside. If we're working, the interruptions can be a bit less welcome, but if that's the price of such conviviality, I'll gladly pay the dues.
On another point, the French take pride in what the country produces, and the French support these producers by purchasing their products. Many food products will even have packaging that identifies the individual producer. I especially like AOP products -- you know exactly what you're getting regardless of the "brand." I remember campaigns in the U.S. trying to stimulate "buying American." Such campaigns would be superfluous here -- everyone "buys French" as a matter of course. Just look at automobiles. Most of the autos are Peugeots or Citroëns. As added bonuses, costs and environmental impacts are lessened since products do not generally travel long distances.
I appreciate your comments about advertising. When I visit the U.S. and watch television, I feel quite pressed into the back of the sofa when the unending commercials blocks start and the volume suddenly cranks up. I find it very stress-inducing. And it's not just television. One is assaulted through every possible medium in an effort to get a piece of America's consumerism addiction. I personally find all those billboards polluting the scenery particularly egregious.
Lastly, life in Europe simply runs at a slower pace. Most European countries maintain productivity per capita near to U.S. standards, but European countries achieve that productivity in significantly fewer workhours per year per capita. Go figure.
About the cars not entirely true. Toyota us a Japonese brand, profucted on the local soil... Whereas Peugeot and Citroen fan be producef in Rumania or Poland.... Despite these are French brands.
Regarding the work, basically french people are happier in work, and happier = more productive.
They just stress the productivity out of the people in the US..
American productivity is measured by the week whereas in Europe (France) they measure it by productivity per man hour, which will show that European productivity per man hour is higher than the US.
@@zalkemya4418 And don't forget Renault, the biggest of the French auto mftgrs. You also find a lot of German cars VW, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
Belle analyse 👏
Packages : use services such as Mondial Relay where they deliver to a local shop and you pick up the package whenever you're close or shopping by
Jason, I lived just North of Houston in Montgomery, Texas and did my undergrad in San Marcos. Cheers guys- love the videos. I think with each one we watch, my wife is warming to the idea of heading to France.
You'll be welcome !
Except for the delivery (which I totally approve). I'm glad to see you seem to have a much more relaxing life in our lovely country.
I love your content, you are living my dream. Take us to one of the fetes or concerts so we can live a little vicariously through you!
Oui le dimanche tout les commerces sont fermés. Si vous avez besoin d'un œuf ou de farine pour finir votre gâteau, demandez à la voisine. Elle sera heureuse de vous dépanner.
Carrefour aussi sera heureux de dépanner.
Je suis dans les Yvelines , Ile de France , l'Auchan près de chez moi est ouvert 7 j/7j d'innombrables magasins de bricolage , électroménager , jardineries etc .. idem , seuls les tout petit commerces sont fermés le dimanche après midi
@@gerarddaclin542 et parfois, dans les campagnes, y a des marchés le dimanche, comme en ville.
@@padriandusk7107dimanche matin seulement
As a French, I can tell you that most of what you describe is not specific to France but to the countryside. In all medium town and large cities, people mostly go to supermarkets like Carrefour, Intermarché or Leclerc where they can buy their motor oil, their meat, vegetables and their baguette and processed food, cookware, clothes, a new phone or computer, alcohol, books and comics... and the bigger the city, the most it will be open. In a typical city, from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm with most of them opened on sunday morning and more rarely the afternoon.
And it's easy to get small and medium sized parcels, if you take the right delivery company : Colipost can put it in your mailbox, but Chronopost or DHL will need a signing from you. There's also parcel relay everywhere in medium towns and bigger cities. For big parcels however, I agree, it can be very complicated to get them.
We just discovered your channel and are loving it! My husband and I are a retired educator and a retired public interest attorney living in rural northeast Texas (a tiny town outside Longview). We had been daydreaming about relocating to Spain, but after a recent trip to France and reunion with our old French foreign exchange student, France is also a top potential destination for us, so your information is so helpful!
It's a small world...I (Raina) grew up in Greenville and went to school at Trinity Valley for my associates in Nursing. Go Cardinals! Good luck with your research! Spain is absolutely lovely, but we are team 🇫🇷 to live 😁
I live in a little country area, so the little 2 "super markets are opened from 8 am to 8 pm, lunch time as well , and on Sunday morning
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon your video, but I’m glad I did. It's refreshing to gain an outsider's perspective on life in France and it makes me appreciate living here even more. Wishing you a wonderful life and continued openness to different cultures!
Vous devriez vous faire livrer en point relais, comme ça, pas de problème si on n'est pas là ou bien si le livreur n'est pas très dégourdi.
en general quand tu n'est pas la il dépose de toute façon le colis dans un point relais proche, du moins c'est comme ça que ca c'est toujours passé quand j'ai commandé un coli et que je n'étais pas la a la réception, mais je suis peut-etre juste chanceux x)
The length of school days is a real problem in France. It's too long for children to concentrate all day, have extra-curricular time (artistic or sporting activity) and then review lessons in the evening.
Very true I think they do it for parents convenience!
Ça c'est de mon point de vue, et j'ai travaillé dans un collège, une bêtise.
Il y a un problème, mais ce n'est pas celui-là, c'est un problème de génération, quand j'y étais, à l'école, je faisais ce qu'il y avait à faire, parce que j'ai été éduqué dans le sens du devoir. Maintenant, quoique l'on fasse, ou demande, ce sera toujours trop pour les fainéasses. Et les encourager dans cette voie ne les aidera en rien, et c'est très nuisible pour la société entière à moyen terme.
Pour le reste on pourrait discuter des programmes pédagogiques qui de mon point de vu n'encouragent pas la créativité, ou ne cherchent pas à valoriser les points forts des élèves, mais ça prendrait des heures.
@@MrBaymericI agree with you. Most things in France are based around making the life easier for the adults. It's actually quite sickening how low down children's needs are put in every day life in France.
Children also have to put up with adults routine, including eating ridiculously late, or being taken out for meals 2 hours past their bedtime, and expected to just behave even though they're tired.
@@kerryh3833 Vous racontez n'importe quoi.
@@GreNouilleFestiV unless you've lived outside of France, you don't get to comment. Most people don't realise how things are in their own country until they've left it and got some comparisons.
I am a 33 yo french dude from Paris, and when I was15, I had the chance to travel to Oklahoma for a whole year (which has similarities with the texan way of life if I'm right).
I had such a great time watching your video, thinking backwards ahah
The thing that I noticed and remember about my american countryside experience is the constant need to drive a car. Cities were not design to walk around !
Thanks again for your video, you guys chose one of the most beautiful region of France to move ❤
Très agréable de vous écoutez et vous entendre avec notre mode de vie. J'habilite le Sud Ouest de la France également et en tant qu'artisan, je ne le cache pas avoir des semaines longues, mais OUI le week-end est nécessaire au fonctionnement de la semaine suivante! Bonne remarque! Merci à vous et profitez bien.
16:43 French national here. About "La Poste".
Yes, the local postal service is amazing. Imagine USPS, but with the actual means to deliver you mail EVERY, SINGLE, MORNING.
And in the more rural areas, talk with people, get news etc ... Wonderful people.
The "other" services... Hmmm. Well. My personal advice, unless absolutely necessary, avoid.
A très bientôt 😉
Je suis française et Humaine !😅 et j'espère que vous allez bien vivre avec nous !!❤ Vive la différence, vive la solidarité et vive la France !!😊❤
Oui à tous !
amazing !! I did not know that amaricans were moving to the french countryside lifestyle, british and dutch yes but I was not aware of americans , I lived almost 10 years in Houston( TX) and 15 years in London(UK) and came back to rural France summer 2022 with 2 young children ( my wife is from rural France though) , we needed time to adjust as you said but once you got the rhythm , it is pretty good , don't make me wrong France is facing a lot of difficulties and problems but living in rural/countryside will ease these difficulties greatly ,people who can move to the countryside ( working remotly ,etc) , they will find an improvement in their physical and mental health , at least this is what we have being experiencing so far.......
Bonjour vos video sont très bien faites pour toutes comparaisons un pays à autre avantage et inconvénients je vous souhaite une excellente vie en France 😊
As a French, I can confirm that what you describe is true. But there is a difference between the countryside and the big cities where there are much more shops opened on Sundays.
For the delivery, the best solution is to choose a "point relais" , a shop that will receive the package for you. And then you can collect after when you are available.
I am French, worked in the US a little bit, lived in Brazil and my wife is Taiwanese (and I lived there a bit too), I am not mentioning the other European Countries I lived in… enough said to picture a French who has seen enough to be able to step back.
I thank you for this description… the obvious is not easy to spot yet you pictured it very well. And I realise that there’s no way for me to tell an American that what they call “socialism” could benefit them a bit, that it ain’t being lazy to think that one “should work to live & not live to work”.
Just because as long as someone who lived the post-war American way of life is not sucked out of the same neverending routine that you describe as a shadow of your explanations, he just can’t comprehend it.
I’ll show them tour video instead…
Hi, French family that used to live in California here. Your video nails it down, well done! For viewers, the countryside component of it is very important. Some of what is described (especially community, somewhat shop hours, for sure big chain stores, same day delivery) is much different the more urban the area gets, unfortunately for the community part of it… French’s small villages communities are tightly bound, and as you noted organized around the village as opposed to around a school or a parish, not so much anymore in cities unfortunately.
Merci de découvrir la vraie France et de partager vos idées ainsi que les partages que vous aviez rencontrés ! Bienvenue en France :)
Merci beaucoup!
Un réel plaisir de voir que les américains que vous êtes aiment la France et ses traditions thanks you ❤
Oui! Merci 😊
I see your videos and can tell you are enjoying your stay in my belle France, good for you. I am from Florida but here already 22 years, the best decision of my life thanks to my French wife. Salut
How beautiful is your backyard?! Everything you mentioned resonated with me about the differences between France and the US and why their more deliberate and thoughtful way of living is so appealing. Weaning oneself off of 4 hour Amazon deliveries will be tough but as you point out that is manageable. Thanks for another great video!
Le Dimanche c’est sacré mes amis!!
En tant que Français c’est un vrai plaisir de vous ecouter et je reconnais complètement ma France dans votre description et par la même occasion je perfectionne mon Anglais (us) comme ça.
Merci beaucoup et bonne vacances
Hi, don't choose home delivery, choose a "point relais". No more stress.
that also sounds like a lovely reason to head into town - and enjoy a cup of coffee, perhaps a sweet treat, and chat with neighbors.
La Poste doesn't work smoothly everywhere. You are very lucky to have a good post lady.
I used to live in Lyon and receiving packages through the post offoce was a nightmare. Often I would receive a slip informing me that I was absent and that my parcel couldn't be delivered while I was at home. Once I caught the Postal worker just after she dropped the slip and I demanded my Package and she admitted that she didn't have it and I had to wait anothe two days to reclaim it at the central office. All that changed when I moved to a smaller town where I had a great Post delivery man, who knew my name and adress without having ever seen me in person. But some of my work mates who lived in a different area had a lot of troubles.
If your postal delivery woman/man is good, take good care of her/him.
We also have a great facteur and post office. Colissimo is delivered at our usual delivery time between 11:00 and 13:00. Chronopost gives you a specific time slot for delivery + signature. Give your facteur a key to your letter box for small boxes. You should always be able to select the option "if no response, leave at the post office". You can often re-programme deliveries. Relais colis (often a supermarket or garage, or tabac) is a great option for large parcels. I use Relais colis a lot.
Le si classique avis de passage
@@elizzy8754 you don't need to leave a key to the postman/woman as the letterbox should be a certain official standard and the post has a pass for it, same for certain delivery services.
@@elizzy8754 The Introduction of Relay colis really saved my sanity. I don't know if the service is very beneficial to the shops that host them, but to me it's a life changer (well I may be overenthusiastic, but you get the drift)
La poste dans les grande ville et dans les village/petite ville c'est 2 monde diffèrent, d'expériences je dirais que dans tous les village (et petite ville de moins de 10 000 habitant) on se rapproche plus, de ce qu'ils raconte dans la vidéo :)
le service client en france c est toujours difficile , aprés vous pouvez avoir un livreur gentil qui vous appel avant ou qui revient de lui même dans la même journée mais ce n est pas une obligation de bien traiter le client comme chez les americain , c est plus une question de gentillesse individuelle.
Frenchman who recently moved the Canada's French speaking part here. Interesting point of view. I think there is also a significant difference whether one stay in France's countryside or if you leave a in urban areas.
Never tried parcel/package relais or Lockers ("Relais Colis" or "Point Relais" or "Mondial Relay", etc... in french) for tour deliveries ?
You may have one of your local stores able to propose this kind of service . . .
It's secure, and you have more or less a week to pick-up your parcel when arrived . . . No need to be at home when it arrives ! ! !
Bienvenue en France ! J'espère que vous trouverez votre bonheur dans notre merveilleux pays
Merci beaucoup pour votre bonne humeur, votre positivité et votre appréciation des bonnes choses de la vie 🫶
Je suis français, c'est très intéressan de voir votre retour sur la vie en France! :)
It's a good thing to be able to choose between "quantity" & "quality".
As a French, just seeing your garden calm, green and silent, with just a few little bird calls, i know you're in france, and that you're happy there :) It's deeply interesting to have another culture's point of view on French life. (And yes, delivery culture... all french people agree with you... sadly)
I'm French and I love your videos. Very interesting to see what foreigners think of France and how their adaptation is evolving.
Also living in the southwest (Toulouse area), happy to know you adopted the "chocolatine" way of life!😁
I love your positive energy, even when speaking about those poor delivery services we have in France…
6.30:There is a law in France which strictly regulates signs and advertising panels. This is why you see less of them on the side of the road. This is the reference of the law: loi du 12 juillet 2010 portant engagement national pour l'environnement (dite loi "ENE"), complétée par le décret n° 2012-118 du 30 janvier 2012 relatif à la publicité extérieure, aux enseignes et aux préenseignes.
And a very SENSIBLE French law.!! We are bombarded with enough advertising, let alone all along the roads!
Supermarkets are open all day. In the big cities, shops also remain open all day. 🥰🥰🥰
Hi @baguettebound! My husband and I have just purchased a home in Charente aaaaaand we just got our long-stay visas approved (first time). And can I just say, as the official admin person for my family (😅), I am so grateful to have your content as a guide. There have been some differences, but your videos have helped guide me in the right direction.
Thank you so much for all your efforts!
Regarding store hours, it's because in France they respect workers' rights. In the US corporate and small business profit is top priority. Workers are just a tool to get it. Same for advertisements, healthcare, vacation, ... Part of our government has been trying to change that, but they have been largely thwarted over the decades.
I'm so glad - it's a big part of the quality of life here, I think.
Interesting thoughts.
What you call "a village of 29 000 people", we call it a town. A village will be more a few hundreds people. A hamlet, a few dozens.
Despite not being so prevalent like in the US, we still think there are too many ads. Fortunately not for medications or lawyers.
About the deliveries, yes, it's a problem for the customer when you're in the countryside. On another hand, you have to think about the delivery guy who need to tour all the region to be in time for his schedule, which also must be a nightmare. So the whole system should be reconsidered, but it's whole different issue.
She clearly said "29 hundred" people, not 29 thousand! It's between a big village and a very small town, isn't it?
@@st-ex8506 Oh, ok, fair enough. I have a hard time with the dozens of hundreds which we don't use often in french. :)
Yes, 2900 will be a big village, or still a small town.
@@delphzouzou4520 It's actually a little noticed difference between UK English and American English. In the UK we would be much more likely to say 'two thousand nine hundred'. Americans talk much more often in hundreds even when it's into the thousands. It can even confuse us Brits at times when they do it.
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I find it really refreshing to see my country from your perspective, thank you for that!
Wait for your child to discover Rugby, Apéro, Motocross, gras de canard, fête de village, Occitan and partying at farm with friends haha there true french life of countryside will appear to you xD
Nice to hear your point of view !
Nice video, it made me smile a lot
Just an advice for deliveries
Find a shop nearby your house that is a "relais" to make your deliveries there and pick it up when you can
I never receive packages at home for the same reasons you talked about.
I use to live in Bergerac, you must be close from there I believe
Dordogne is a magnificent area
Cheers
Je suis tellement heureux que vous connaissiez vraiment la France, j’entends les américains dire des choses si terrible sur la France. Merci de partager avec votre communauté la réalité des choses !
For the delivery, if it's Colissimo, that's in fact a branch of La Poste, if you're not there, they will deliver at your post office and leave a note in your letterbox. If it's other delivery services, if I'm not sure to be home and the delivery won't fit in the letterbox, I prefer to have it deliver at a "relais colis' or at my post office. The newsagent /tobacco at 200 m of my home is a relais colis, so easy !
yep I do the same, everything post related or colissimo I take home delivery and get it dirrectly or at my post office if i'm not availlable..all other kind of delivery I do it at the closest "relai" to grab it whenever it's convinient for me.
Yeah, far better. I have tried only once to have something delivered at home, what a hassle, took at least 3 weeks of "we went to your home without notice at 10am and you weren't there" like what a surprise ! I'm in school you know, I have things to do during the day !! And when you ask for a date an hour to deliver a package they can't plan it. They tell you that they will come SOMETIME in the day. I'll never do that again (unless I have no other choice).
Regarding the deliveries, and as a French person living in Canada, and also regarding the fact you're living on the country side, you have to accept to live "slower". Every piece of comfort you have in America has an insane ecological cost, and all of the infrastructures helping Amazon to deliver this fast is one of those. Supporting local businesses over big capitalist structures like Walmart is a way of living slower. Deal with it 😉
In France we rely a lot in "relays" where transit companies can drop off your packages if you choose them as the delivery address, so that you can pick up them there at the end of the day 😉
Amazon has delivery lockers in France for smaller deliveries. I recently saw that on one of the UA-cam videos.
I'm French, and your video just made me realise how lucky we are with all these tiny things you mentionned. French people are always complaining of their situation (you could add that as a negative point)...
How funny it is that American people are showing me how good it is to live in France... Thanks for that !!
I cannot wait to emigrate to France! My only challenge will be breaking my amazon habit. 😅 It became so much easier to find exactly what you need versus driving all over town, searching through multiple places to find something that may only be close to what you need is the reason it became so pervasive. I look forward to going to the stores that specialize and discovering new ways of doing things. Thanks as always for your thoughtful and insightful observations!❤
France is the first market for amazon in Europe
You may grow out of your habit of ordering from Amazon..it can truly become an unconscious vice just because it exists. I’d rather take time looking through the local stores first, which are usually cheaper and/or can be of better quality than order from Amazon. Also because I’d rather give my money to the local community than to the multi-millionaire Bezos.. I can understand however that if you’re living in a small rural area, it is a convenient choice.
You’ll see that you will just don’t need it that much anymore…if you do? we still have it…
Il y a un mot pour décrire ce que vous tentez d'exprimer, il s'agit de la convivialité, un style de vie plutôt cool que nous partageons avec les Italiens.
Les Espagnols et les Portugais aussi et tout les pays méditerranéen en règle générale son des bon vivants qui aime recevoir la famille et les amies et ils accueillent très facilement chez eux ;)
Great comparisons ! Concerning deliveries it has gotten a lot better these past years, but being in a rural area sure can make it harder. In case you don’t know, you might be able to find several drop spots around you, such as local shops near you or amazon / chronopost safes.
When I went from France to USA for work early 2000' I was so disapointed (to be polite) by constant ads during sports and movies. I was raging in front of my TV yelling "I can't beleive this !!!" 🤣🤣🤣 Love your videos, thank's.
Thos made us laugh...because we understand now being in a place without them! Allez blues!!
LOL! So true. I've been watching the Olympics on NBC in the states and it's like there's 3 minutes of commercials for every 6 minutes of Olympics, very aggravating!
Defenitely agree with you for the deliveries. I am in big stress when I recieve something… you have in US, the culture of service !
En tant que français, je suis d'accord avec tout et pas vraiment fier du dernier point qui est une véritable plaie pour tous, même pour ceux qui n'ont pas connu mieux mais qui voudraient juste recevoir ce qu'ils ont commandé dans les temps et en état. Et la Poste ne rattrape par les autres services, notamment en ville... Je ne me fais plus livrer, j'utilise au maximum le Drive.
Merci pour ces retours charmants sur notre beau pays
It took me 10min but I finally found where you stand. Very good choice 😉
Happy to see americans coming in our countryside
Hi, French guy here, I really appreciate your feedback and I also learn some interesting thing about the USA. I wanted to say that every thing you say feel right to me, except for Laposte. I hate it, and most of the people I know feel the same about that service. I prefer, by much, private services for my delivery. Furthermore, I think that you have the best delivery person ever and that you should cherish her 😂
Really interesting to have to point of view of an american couple.
Personally im from Gironde and really in border to Dordogne, feelin lucky because Dordogne is for me easily one of the best departement in France, if not the best.
The Perigord Noir is something else, La Roque-Gageac, Sarlat etc.... all the medieval-age monument, prehistorian site, cavern, local food, hiking etc...
Amazing departement, pure escape.
Comme vous pouvez le constater dans les commentaires, même si vous complimentez certains aspect de la France, y'a toujours des Français pour se plaindre et râler, on aime ça autant que la baguette.
Lol, Nous apprenons que se plaindre est un moyen de former la solidarité en France ! 😉
Oh, that's fascinating to discover your point of view! There are so many things in our own culture that we don't realize are normal.
I am French and I have to admit that deliveries get on my nerves: there are a lot of problems with delivery people who say they've delivered when they haven't, or who let an ordered computer out of the letterbox in the rain, or who don't want to go up to our floor and just say we weren't there, which isn't true.
I've noticed that, in general, Amazon deliveries go better in France than non-Amazon deliveries.
I now live abroad (in the Balkans) and I have to say that having stores open all day and until 10 p.m. is really comfortable. But I love seeing your positivism in the face of all these differences.
I lived in the USA for 3 months when I was young, in the 90s, and I was amazed to see my TV programs constantly interrupted by commercials! But then I got used to it, and used the time to do other things.
What you're saying makes me realize just how much American society is constantly under pressure from marketing.
I'm going to follow you, I've subscribed 🥰
Bonjour, je suis française, et j'ai beaucoup apprécier votre vidéo... La plupart de vos différences US/FR, ont l'air de vous avoir apportez une qualité de vie bien plus agréable et j'en suis contente pour vous et aussi fière de mon pays ( ce qui est difficile en ce moment, il faut se bien se l'avouer). En plus vous habitez à la campagne, et vous ne subissez pas nos fameuses et légendaires grèves!😉( sauf peut être celles des enseignants pour votre fille). Pour les livraisons, imaginez devoir vous faire livrer un capteur de glycémie de votre fils un 14 juillet alors que le Tour de France passe dans votre ville! 😵Je vous souhaite encore plein de belles découvertes et d'expériences dans mon beau pays!
Merci! 😊
oh you live in Dordogne ! One of the most beautiful and country side department in France imo. There are many british buying houses over there ^^ Part of my family lives in Dordogne as well. I see you're enjoying and that's great.
We have groceries stores that are open 24/7 where I live in Kansas City Missouri 😂
So if you wake up in the middle of the night and realize you need coffee creamer for the morning, you can get it! 😂
@@PascalDupont-ft7hd pour quoi que ce soit. J'aime faire les courses de bonne heure pour eviter les foules
@@PascalDupont-ft7hd je l'apprends depuis 2016
Nous n'avons pas besoin d'épiceries ouvertes toute la nuit. Parce que la nuit, nous dormons !
@@DidierMey-ci5gs
Aux USA, c'est pas juste les épiceries qui sont ouvertes la nuit : les grands magasins, les stations-service, et même des restaurants ont des heures 24h sur 24, 7j sur 7 !
Souvent au milieu de la semaine, je prends mon petit déj à 2h du matin dans un restaurant local avec qq amis.
This was fascinating. I am English but used to live in France (Poitiers). I always enjoy newcomers talking about their experiences in Europe as it gives you an insight into both where they are now and where they've come from.
Compared to the US, rural life in the UK has much in common with France.
Also we don't have billboards by the road here and TV sports events are never interrupted for adverts. The BBC doesn't have commercials but even when football matches, for example, are shown on other channels you'd only ever have adverts at half time. I visited the USA a few years ago and loved it. I was shocked by the TV commercials for prescription drugs though! I can't imagine going to a doctor and asking them to prescribe something I'd seen on TV.
Re- the focussing - there is a German girl who has lived in Cincinnati for several years who does videos comparing life in the two countries and I remember her saying she was really surprised the way Americans would routinely fill their diaries meeting several different people in one day which sometimes lead to them having to rush off or even cancel. In Germany, like France (and the UK) if you're meeting a friend you would not want to place a definite leave time unless you really had to.
There are billboards by the roads in France, some of them awful
@@lioneldemun6033the law is changing in France where the amount or every billboard is being taken down.
@@helenemurard1215 not at all there are more billboards than before only they are from the Decaux® brand who has a state monopoly on electric billboards!
This channel will blow up, triple down on this!!! You guys have such a natural command of the camera!
Wow, thank you for the kind encouragement!
Would love to have you as neighbours - I am from Versailles in France but has been living in England for several years as I decided to live there because of my English partner and our daughter - However, I miss home so much because I love France and the French way of life -
Je vous remercie parce que quand je vous entends je me dis que vraiment la France est un pays formidable et désolé de dire ça, je suis certain qu'il y a pleins de bonnes choses aux Etats-Unis mais d'après ce que vous dites, je crois que je n'aurais jamais envie d'aller m'installer aux US ! En tout cas, vous êtes ici chez vous !
I'm French welcome to your family in our country! we have a great country and like all others we have beautifull things and some others less beautifull...discover and enjoy! :)
Most of European countries are like in France, Portugal , spain and Italy have nice people, no stress good and healthy food and they like to enjoy life...
A very joyful video, you seem to enjoy your life there !
As a parisian, I'm definitely moving to countryside in some years !
By the way, maybe you should try to make your adress for deliveries at your local Poste, si when you have things delivered you just go to your Poste on your way back from work for example and you don't have yo stress about it. We call it "Point relais"
Dear Baguette , ty Jason ,loved your " 14 = cat hors(e)" 🤣 .Respectfully
For parcels delivered by post, the delivery day can be changed. If the parcel does not require a signature, the postman will put it in the mailbox if there is enough space like other delivery services, otherwise I think you can ask for a second pass or pick it up at the post office. Delivery to relay points is cheaper than home delivery. There are relay points everywhere, in local shops near you. You can also ask for your package to be delivered to your neighbour's house if he is present and agrees. Your videos are very interesting, open-minded and caring. Thank you🥰🥰🥰
When it comes to the post, as you did, if you can, you need to get to know your postman and build a relationship of friendship and trust. It's nicer and can be helpful if she knows your habits. At the end of the year, the postwoman comes to sell a new calendar, it's not mandatory to buy it but if you can, it's good to do it. I always give her extra money to thank her and that makes her happy. These are New Year's Eve
Stay Happy guys and enjoy your life in France! Merci pour votre Cheerful video ;)
Merci! 😊
Thank you for being so kind, friendly and open-minded! I wish you the best! If the package is small and does not require a signature, if you are away, the delivery person will put it in the mailbox if there is enough space (this is the case for amazon packages). If you are absent, you can ask for the package to be dropped off at a relay point, there are some in local shops near you. I live in the countryside, I know my postman and she is also very helpful.
love ur video, and btw la poste was a state company for a long time like edf and we loose it for private company cause of european union and corruption , so im glad u like the original french delivery company
Nice. We live in France and I can suscribe to all what you said😅
This apply to the countryside, NOT to the big cities/Suburbs.
As for delivery, there is a reason why many people use "point relais" or amazon lockers or similar stuff rather than home delivery.
Your videos are great. Thank you for sharing. When I lived in France I discovered most people I knew had family dinners on Sunday afternoon. My neighbor who was a college student took the train to one of her parents home for Sunday dinner every Sunday. Less advertising is great especially medication. I miss not being in the moment when you are visiting friends and family. In the US you are always thinking about what is next. It took me a while to relax and be in the moment. I agree there are lots of things to do either free or for small price. Unlike the US where most cannot afford going to an athletic event. Popular events and concerts involving Americans the price in France was substantial but still cheaper than the US.
Thanks for your videos. It’s so refreshing hearing your experiences here in France & they’re spot on! I’ve been here since 1985 & just love it. I was lucky to have had a French mom & American dad so know both US & France well. Just love your video & will watch the other ones too. I watch videos on UA-cam & they caught on to my dual nationality 😉 merci!
As we used to say with no offense at all : « Americans live to work, Frenchs work to live » but do not misunderstanding me, the world need Americans and Frenchs, and Italians, etc…
Ah, marrant de te recroiser sur une vidéo qui n'a rien à voir !
@@Mozz78000 nous nous sommes croisés ou ? Marrant que tu aies retenu mon pseudo.
@@SeawolfSpirit sur la chaîne de Marc Bluersky, on parlait de Survivor. J'ai surtout reconnu ton avatar.
@@Mozz78000 lol, trop drôle.
Living in country side is amazing, in Europe I guess. I'm french and and was amazed by your video. I live in a "town" (~150k, nothing compare to the US) and it's nice too. There are great neighborhood where I am.
Great video, thanks :)
I cut the cord 20 years ago. Streaming only, no ads. I want my time back and ads are just insulting.
Back in the 1970s, many places were closed on Sundays. We've lost that sense of rest.
We were visiting France and went for a hike in the Pyrenees Mountains on a Monday. We got back to the little town we were staying in around 6pm and every shop and restaurant was closed. We had to eat our road trip car snacks for dinner. Lesson learned. The convenience culture is not there. It's a good story and fun memory! Loved our trip around France, and that little town (Garvarnie-Gedre) was my favorite! So beautiful!
Gavarnie département des Hautes Pyrénées (65). Did you go to the "Cirque de Garvarnie" ? Very gorgeous place.
@@ggousier Yes, we hiked the Cirque de Garvanie. The day with no dinner was a partial hike of Breche de Roland. We could only go so far because there was still snow near the top. Such a beautiful area!
Well may be at 6 pm restaurants were not open yet, most of the time restaurants open at 7 pm.
Yes, you have to be aware, especially in rural areas, that shops & restaurants are closed because by law the employees need to have 2 or at least 1 1/2 consecutive days to rest.
Hé oui, à cette heure ci c' est fermé, la nourriture, la vraie, ça se cuisine et ça prend des heures pas comme celle de vos fast food qui nous gâchent la vie et le paysage !🤬
For the super market and malls the hours of opening changed around the big cities like the urban communitie of Bordeaux where you can go to an auchan in the sunday afternoon because they allow the customers to do their purchases at their self checkouts (: