As an American... I think one key is to overindex on politeness. With random, daily interactions there are always moments where you are torn between doing the polite thing or getting on with your life. For example to let someone else go first or to hold a door open. My opinion as a visitor in this country is to when in doubt take a few seconds more and do the polite thing. And of course use vous when appropriate, say bonjour, s'il vous plaît, merci, bonne journée etc etc. I feel that French society operates with a higher set of expectations for all of this than the US does. And... If you are a guest in another country then that really should raise the ante just a bit more. Act like you appreciate the opportunity to be here and participate.
This was common when I was a kid in the 70’s. I watched the formal, polite introductions go away. People just want to get to the point. I have to remember to be for formal. I now, do it all the time, not just on vacation.
From the USA. EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! Very clear and very informative. You made the Frenh people and the French culture not so scary for foreigner. TRES BEIN!
Thank you Theo, I am from NYC and I think a lot of people from NYC are as you say not always friendly but we are friends. I visited Paris 3 time and I enjoyed every thing about it the People etc.
I love Paris, my Parisian acquaintances and friendship. The French are extremely pleasant and formally friendly until one gets to make friends with some of them. I, thankfully, was raised with very strict rules to be polite and thoughtful of other people. To me now, it is natural and normal. To be less would be going against my nature. Really like your topics and sincerity.
bonjour Theo=) as a Czech I can so relate to the "we complain a lot" because so do we=D but unfortunately Czechs are not big on discussion, we tend to be quite close minded (outside of Prague).. I've been hanging out with Frenchies for about 7 years now, thanks to working for Air France here in Prague, you guys just feel similar minded to me (sarcasm should be a love language honestly), I love France (not just Paris), your food, your movies and sense of humor (grew up watching de Funes' movies in Czech, btw Mr. de Funes was amazed by the dubbing by Mr. Filipovsky, he wrote him a thank you letter and they were supposed to meet but unfortunately couldn't because the back then ruling communist party didn't allow that=\ ).. Thank you for the tips, they'll come in handy when I move to the south next year🤩 oh also, since you mentioned in another video that you read a lot of self help books - I can only recommend Laurent Gounelle, his books are not self help per se but they'll make you think (and often rethink) and question some opinions or behaviours=)
it takes about a month to get conversational in any language, and it's definitely time well-spent. Everywhere I went, I made every effort to fit into the scene, and it's so much better to fully immerse yourself into a culture in which you did not grow up. Thanks so much for posting this insightful piece -- actually, gran' merci boucoup, mon ami!
Yes please make some videos on the political systems and how democracy works in France Also this video was very useful to help understand the French mentality.
My girls will for sure connect through French cousine, as they love food and are clever cooks! For me I will try to connect through photography, to show my respect for French landscapes and painters🙂
Dear Theo please would you consider keeping your camera still while you are recording? The wobbling movement causes dizziness. Many thanks, love your content.
Merci beaucoup Theo, it was very informative n very well elucidated by U,so wen in France, do like d French, n besides language is very crucial , take care Theo, a demain 👋👋
I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not just to be accepted by others. That's being disingenuous to everyone. I want to be accepted warts and all! 😊
Well done, Theo! Before our visit to France, we only knew of the French stereotypes from movies. Now, after several visits to Paris, the north, and the south of France we found the French are NOT like the stereotypes at all. I've interacted with hundreds of French people and find them such nice people with a very interesting history and culture. Of course, when in France, I try to be the very best guest I can. I found the book "The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed" particularly helpful in understanding social interactions. My wife and I love France and are looking forward to many, many more visits in the future. There is so much to enjoy of this beautiful country and people!
Si je déménageais en France, je choisirais plutôt une petite ville ou la campagne, car j'aime la nature et la calme (peut-être la Bretagne, la Normandie ou la Savoie - malheureusement, je ne connais pas les Pyrénées). Je vis déjà dans une grande ville qui me plaît, mais je ne déménagerais pas dans une autre grande ville. Cependant, je ne viens pas des États-Unis, mais d'Allemagne, et j'ai appris un peu de français à l'école, mais aussi sur l'histoire de France, car elle a influencé notre propre histoire. Je pense qu'en Allemagne, on apprend plus sur la France et la culture française (littérature, musique, films) que l'inverse, c'est pourquoi il ne faut peut-être pas s'attendre à trop de compréhension et d'intérêt de la part des gens quand on déménage d'Allemagne en France. Je pense aussi qu'il est aussi difficile d'être une immigrée en France qu'en Allemagne. Mais je pensais que je venais du pays où l'on se plaint le plus 😄
( there is an english translation after my whole french paragraph 😁) J’habite dans la diagonale du vide, et honnêtement et ça n’a rien à voir avec l’idée stéréotypée des maisons et fermes isolées au milieu des champs; ou seulement dans certains endroits vraiment excentrés, mais en général ce sont des petits villages, des patelins autour d’une ville un peu plus grande et d’autres villes plus importantes dans les environs et ce sont souvent des très beaux endroits qui sont super à visiter; TRANSLATION : I live in the diagonale du vide wich could be the equivalent of american midwest, and for most of the places there it looks nothing like the idea we have of an isolated farm surrounded by fields. It is more like villages; and it could be very little, but they are close to one another and are generally surrounding a bigger town. Also living in the diagonale du vide doesn’t mean we don’t have big cities, plus they are really interesting full of history and beautiful. Just as an example I live near a town called La Charité sur Loire and it really worth to visit: there are cool events like le festival du mot and on you feel the life of the city. I also really really adore a village called Bruniquel wich is really magical almost fairy-like. And if you’re willing to visit France, you should consider also visit the coutryside because french life and culture is not just Paris and every city, every town has a different energy and way of living.
I'm an Aussie and I'm a total francophile . I have been to France several times and I have never found French people cold, completely the opposite actually. I'm planning to move to Paris in about 2 years and basically going for the food and more relaxed way of life. France is calling to me like a magnet. I love your videos, they're so informative and honest.
When I was in my 20s and living in NYC, our lives were much as you described. I was the ‘chef’ for many of our communal dinner parties, and our crowd always seemed to have time to enjoy life. I don’t know what happened here. Maybe everyone had children and became slaves to the family routine. I didn’t, and still live the French style life. I’ve spent time in Paris and found people incredibly polite.
@@michellemobakeng5938 i am alright, im just curious why is it in french when most of the countries are doing things in English, not that they must follow, but why they don't follow?
@@nas8277 French culture is strong even outside its borders. Therefore, I do not think French people would appreciate seeing an English takeover of their administration, just for you people! I find it ludicrous but should I be surprised by your approach? I am glad you mentioned "MOST" and not "all". Yet, not sure what "most of the countries" mean. I would be curious to see South America, Central America, the poor countries of eastern Europe, French- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Central Europe to name but these countries in your "MOST" list.
@@nas8277 Yes, I suggested French, indeed. Why not? That would be a great opportunity to learn French. There is an Anglo-American globalisation taking place.
Hey Frenchie ,du blabla, t'as fait du fric auprès de UA-cam avec ce topic idiot. L’économie française est en train de grever, tu fois 30000 Euros à l’État pour rembourser les 3000 milliards de dette, continues de faire le con tant qu'il est encore temps.
From the USA. EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! Very clear and very informative. You made the Frenh people and the French culture not so scary for foreigner. TRES BEIN!
As an American... I think one key is to overindex on politeness. With random, daily interactions there are always moments where you are torn between doing the polite thing or getting on with your life. For example to let someone else go first or to hold a door open. My opinion as a visitor in this country is to when in doubt take a few seconds more and do the polite thing. And of course use vous when appropriate, say bonjour, s'il vous plaît, merci, bonne journée etc etc. I feel that French society operates with a higher set of expectations for all of this than the US does. And... If you are a guest in another country then that really should raise the ante just a bit more. Act like you appreciate the opportunity to be here and participate.
This was common when I was a kid in the 70’s. I watched the formal, polite introductions go away. People just want to get to the point. I have to remember to be for formal. I now, do it all the time, not just on vacation.
From the USA. EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! Very clear and very informative. You made the Frenh people and the French culture not so scary for foreigner. TRES BEIN!
Thank you so much !
NICE! Thanks for this great insight( from a French Guy) 💖💖💖Merci Beaucoup Theo!
Thank you Theo, I am from NYC and I think a lot of people from NYC are as you say not always friendly but we are friends. I visited Paris 3 time and I enjoyed every thing about it the People etc.
I love Paris, my Parisian acquaintances and friendship. The French are extremely pleasant and formally friendly until one gets to make friends with some of them. I, thankfully, was raised with very strict rules to be polite and thoughtful of other people. To me now, it is natural and normal. To be less would be going against my nature. Really like your topics and sincerity.
bonjour Theo=) as a Czech I can so relate to the "we complain a lot" because so do we=D but unfortunately Czechs are not big on discussion, we tend to be quite close minded (outside of Prague).. I've been hanging out with Frenchies for about 7 years now, thanks to working for Air France here in Prague, you guys just feel similar minded to me (sarcasm should be a love language honestly), I love France (not just Paris), your food, your movies and sense of humor (grew up watching de Funes' movies in Czech, btw Mr. de Funes was amazed by the dubbing by Mr. Filipovsky, he wrote him a thank you letter and they were supposed to meet but unfortunately couldn't because the back then ruling communist party didn't allow that=\ )..
Thank you for the tips, they'll come in handy when I move to the south next year🤩 oh also, since you mentioned in another video that you read a lot of self help books - I can only recommend Laurent Gounelle, his books are not self help per se but they'll make you think (and often rethink) and question some opinions or behaviours=)
it takes about a month to get conversational in any language, and it's definitely time well-spent. Everywhere I went, I made every effort to fit into the scene, and it's so much better to fully immerse yourself into a culture in which you did not grow up. Thanks so much for posting this insightful piece -- actually, gran' merci boucoup, mon ami!
Yes please make some videos on the political systems and how democracy works in France
Also this video was very useful to help understand the French mentality.
My girls will for sure connect through French cousine, as they love food and are clever cooks! For me I will try to connect through photography, to show my respect for French landscapes and painters🙂
I lived in France as a student. I miss many of the things Theo mentions in this video.
Dear Theo please would you consider keeping your camera still while you are recording? The wobbling movement causes dizziness. Many thanks, love your content.
Oh I'm sorry ! When I'm filming I'm sitting on my bed it's not really steady 😭
Merci, Théo
Merci beaucoup Theo, it was very informative n very well elucidated by U,so wen in France, do like d French, n besides language is very crucial , take care Theo, a demain 👋👋
I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not just to be accepted by others. That's being disingenuous to everyone. I want to be accepted warts and all! 😊
Bonjour Theo ❤❤
Well done, Theo! Before our visit to France, we only knew of the French stereotypes from movies. Now, after several visits to Paris, the north, and the south of France we found the French are NOT like the stereotypes at all. I've interacted with hundreds of French people and find them such nice people with a very interesting history and culture. Of course, when in France, I try to be the very best guest I can. I found the book "The Bonjour Effect: The Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed" particularly helpful in understanding social interactions. My wife and I love France and are looking forward to many, many more visits in the future. There is so much to enjoy of this beautiful country and people!
Thank you Theo , i need this ❤
10:23 i would like to hear a Skibidi Toilet French Edition and see what i can learn 😂
Bonjour Théo, merci 👏🏼🤩💕
Amazing informative video !
Aazing video, thank you!!❤❤
Si je déménageais en France, je choisirais plutôt une petite ville ou la campagne, car j'aime la nature et la calme (peut-être la Bretagne, la Normandie ou la Savoie - malheureusement, je ne connais pas les Pyrénées). Je vis déjà dans une grande ville qui me plaît, mais je ne déménagerais pas dans une autre grande ville.
Cependant, je ne viens pas des États-Unis, mais d'Allemagne, et j'ai appris un peu de français à l'école, mais aussi sur l'histoire de France, car elle a influencé notre propre histoire.
Je pense qu'en Allemagne, on apprend plus sur la France et la culture française (littérature, musique, films) que l'inverse, c'est pourquoi il ne faut peut-être pas s'attendre à trop de compréhension et d'intérêt de la part des gens quand on déménage d'Allemagne en France. Je pense aussi qu'il est aussi difficile d'être une immigrée en France qu'en Allemagne.
Mais je pensais que je venais du pays où l'on se plaint le plus 😄
( there is an english translation after my whole french paragraph 😁) J’habite dans la diagonale du vide, et honnêtement et ça n’a rien à voir avec l’idée stéréotypée des maisons et fermes isolées au milieu des champs; ou seulement dans certains endroits vraiment excentrés, mais en général ce sont des petits villages, des patelins autour d’une ville un peu plus grande et d’autres villes plus importantes dans les environs et ce sont souvent des très beaux endroits qui sont super à visiter; TRANSLATION : I live in the diagonale du vide wich could be the equivalent of american midwest, and for most of the places there it looks nothing like the idea we have of an isolated farm surrounded by fields. It is more like villages; and it could be very little, but they are close to one another and are generally surrounding a bigger town. Also living in the diagonale du vide doesn’t mean we don’t have big cities, plus they are really interesting full of history and beautiful. Just as an example I live near a town called La Charité sur Loire and it really worth to visit: there are cool events like le festival du mot and on you feel the life of the city. I also really really adore a village called Bruniquel wich is really magical almost fairy-like. And if you’re willing to visit France, you should consider also visit the coutryside because french life and culture is not just Paris and every city, every town has a different energy and way of living.
I'm an Aussie and I'm a total francophile . I have been to France several times and I have never found French people cold, completely the opposite actually. I'm planning to move to Paris in about 2 years and basically going for the food and more relaxed way of life. France is calling to me like a magnet. I love your videos, they're so informative and honest.
Thank you !!
Can you do a video about the cost of living in Paris? Also, I'm really hoping to get to see some Bastille day content as well, thx.
love from japan
Is it easier for Norwegians to settle in Normandie? Do they still value their Nordic heritage?
When I was in my 20s and living in NYC, our lives were much as you described. I was the ‘chef’ for many of our communal dinner parties, and our crowd always seemed to have time to enjoy life. I don’t know what happened here. Maybe everyone had children and became slaves to the family routine. I didn’t, and still live the French style life. I’ve spent time in Paris and found people incredibly polite.
Interesting 🎉
Louis de Funes❤
Does it help to bring your family tree leading back to Charlemagne the Great?
👍😊👍
Theo: "If you are going to other big cities like Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, it will still be the same as Paris..."
Non-Parisians: T'AS DIT QUOI!?🤬
Why French do not want to make the administration papers all in English?
Why English-speaking countries do not want to make the administration papers all in French, why not in Hungarian for fun? Are you alright?
@@michellemobakeng5938 i am alright, im just curious why is it in french when most of the countries are doing things in English, not that they must follow, but why they don't follow?
@@michellemobakeng5938your reasoning of suggesting administration papers to be in french? for all the english speaking countries?
@@nas8277 French culture is strong even outside its borders. Therefore, I do not think French people would appreciate seeing an English takeover of their administration, just for you people! I find it ludicrous but should I be surprised by your approach?
I am glad you mentioned "MOST" and not "all". Yet, not sure what "most of the countries" mean. I would be curious to see South America, Central America, the poor countries of eastern Europe, French- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Central Europe to name but these countries in your "MOST" list.
@@nas8277 Yes, I suggested French, indeed. Why not? That would be a great opportunity to learn French.
There is an Anglo-American globalisation taking place.
Hey Frenchie ,du blabla, t'as fait du fric auprès de UA-cam avec ce topic idiot. L’économie française est en train de grever, tu fois 30000 Euros à l’État pour rembourser les 3000 milliards de dette, continues de faire le con tant qu'il est encore temps.
How to be accepted by French - be proud of your country, be proud of your values, be proud of your culture, vote Reassemblement National
I'll just take a croissant please 🥐
😂😂😂
From the USA. EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! Very clear and very informative. You made the Frenh people and the French culture not so scary for foreigner. TRES BEIN!
So true😊👍👍