Monday, 24 October 2016
Sunday, 16 October 2016
French clichés - true or false?
There are a lot of French cliches and stereotypes out there, and after spending two weeks in Lyon, I can address some of them already - this is my point of view d'accord?
They eat baguettes all the time - TRUE
Seriously, I see so many people on the tram, VeloV and on the street holding a baguette, its crazy. In the supermarket, the main available bread is baguette and all sorts of different types and sizes. Their baguettes taste really good so there is a reason for this craze.
Love cheese - TRUE
Well, I was shocked when I entered Carrefour and found just an aisle with cheese, a full long one. There were maybe 20 varieties of Camembert, maybe more...the variety is really insane just in a normal supermarket. It's even more on an outside market on a Saturday or Sunday morning. French people love to buy cheese and they really don't care how much it is, they know what type of cheese they like and that's it.
Drink a lot of wine - TRUE
I am not a wine drinker, but because they drink it all the time, and its quite cheap in here, I started drinking it myself! In Lidl you can buy wine, and not the disgusting type, for €2-€3!! Of course if you have €5-10€ you can really buy some good wine in the supermarket! The variety is again huge, so its impossible not to find wine for all tastes!
They don't speak other languages - FALSE
So this one was one that I was a bit worried about. OK, older French people in some supermarkets, banks or administration jobs cannot speak other languages other than French, which actually is exactly what happens in the UK and Portugal for the same age group. However, I have met and talked with around 30-40 young people since I got here, and all of those could speak English and quite a few could also speak other languages such as Spanish, German and Portuguese!
I always make the effort to speak French, even though its really tough in some situations (such as in a bank), but they really are patient and sometimes to help me out explain it in English or Portuguese for my own sake! Smiling always helps too :)
They all dress well - TRUE
OK this one is a generalisation of course but, yes most French men and women dress really well. I have been on trams, metro and on the street, and they have a great sense of style. They even look great riding a bicycle or a scooter.
They are slim and healthy - TRUE
Again, I wasn't sure about this one with all the cheese, bread and food they eat but it is true! I think I have seen only 1 overweight person!! This is a massive difference compared to what I see in the UK for example.
One of the reasons I believe, is that French people like to eat good food and not really keen on junk cheap food, its cultural! They eat a lot but well.
Another reason might be - if I compare it to the UK, is that the sweets/junk food in the supermarkets is actually advertised with massive discounts, or on the way in or out of the supermarkets, enticing the customers to buy those!
Another reason is that French people, at least in Lyon, are really sporty. So many people cycle to and from work using either there own bicycle or the VeloV, that its bound to make a difference. They run a lot too, and they tend to go to classes and be quite active.
They smoke a lot - TRUE
They do smoke quite a lot and they don't seem to care about second hand smoking! Not sure why this is the case, as would be interesting to know why in the majority of the countries the numbers of smokers is going down, and a country like France seems to be an outlier!
Burocracy is painful, slow and not efficient - TRUE
Going to a supermarket queue in the UK takes about 5 minutes maximum, even on a busy day - in a normal day in France, it can take up to 10-15 minutes.
The bank queues are also painful and it seems only one person is attending the customers. The phone stores such as ORANGE have the same issues- on day I was there, there was such a big queue that French customers were screaming complaining to the staff.
Their are cold, arrogant and not friendly - FALSE
I spoke a little about this one at the end of my previous blog, but had to mention it again.
I have met maybe 20-25 French men/women since I got here, and I don't remember one person being cold or not friendly with me. OK, I am aware that most times I am out socially, and French are known to be more friendly during their nights out, so maybe I have to wait until I work with French people to really see this.
I have made some really good French friends already, and I really like them. They aren't as outgoing/crazy as us Portuguese/Spanish, but there is no need, they are really friendly and great people.
They eat baguettes all the time - TRUE
Seriously, I see so many people on the tram, VeloV and on the street holding a baguette, its crazy. In the supermarket, the main available bread is baguette and all sorts of different types and sizes. Their baguettes taste really good so there is a reason for this craze.
Love cheese - TRUE
Well, I was shocked when I entered Carrefour and found just an aisle with cheese, a full long one. There were maybe 20 varieties of Camembert, maybe more...the variety is really insane just in a normal supermarket. It's even more on an outside market on a Saturday or Sunday morning. French people love to buy cheese and they really don't care how much it is, they know what type of cheese they like and that's it.
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| A small sample of the variety of cheese in a Market |
Drink a lot of wine - TRUE
I am not a wine drinker, but because they drink it all the time, and its quite cheap in here, I started drinking it myself! In Lidl you can buy wine, and not the disgusting type, for €2-€3!! Of course if you have €5-10€ you can really buy some good wine in the supermarket! The variety is again huge, so its impossible not to find wine for all tastes!
They don't speak other languages - FALSE
So this one was one that I was a bit worried about. OK, older French people in some supermarkets, banks or administration jobs cannot speak other languages other than French, which actually is exactly what happens in the UK and Portugal for the same age group. However, I have met and talked with around 30-40 young people since I got here, and all of those could speak English and quite a few could also speak other languages such as Spanish, German and Portuguese!
I always make the effort to speak French, even though its really tough in some situations (such as in a bank), but they really are patient and sometimes to help me out explain it in English or Portuguese for my own sake! Smiling always helps too :)
They all dress well - TRUE
OK this one is a generalisation of course but, yes most French men and women dress really well. I have been on trams, metro and on the street, and they have a great sense of style. They even look great riding a bicycle or a scooter.
They are slim and healthy - TRUE
Again, I wasn't sure about this one with all the cheese, bread and food they eat but it is true! I think I have seen only 1 overweight person!! This is a massive difference compared to what I see in the UK for example.
One of the reasons I believe, is that French people like to eat good food and not really keen on junk cheap food, its cultural! They eat a lot but well.
Another reason might be - if I compare it to the UK, is that the sweets/junk food in the supermarkets is actually advertised with massive discounts, or on the way in or out of the supermarkets, enticing the customers to buy those!
Another reason is that French people, at least in Lyon, are really sporty. So many people cycle to and from work using either there own bicycle or the VeloV, that its bound to make a difference. They run a lot too, and they tend to go to classes and be quite active.
They smoke a lot - TRUE
They do smoke quite a lot and they don't seem to care about second hand smoking! Not sure why this is the case, as would be interesting to know why in the majority of the countries the numbers of smokers is going down, and a country like France seems to be an outlier!
Burocracy is painful, slow and not efficient - TRUE
Going to a supermarket queue in the UK takes about 5 minutes maximum, even on a busy day - in a normal day in France, it can take up to 10-15 minutes.
The bank queues are also painful and it seems only one person is attending the customers. The phone stores such as ORANGE have the same issues- on day I was there, there was such a big queue that French customers were screaming complaining to the staff.
Their are cold, arrogant and not friendly - FALSE
I spoke a little about this one at the end of my previous blog, but had to mention it again.
I have met maybe 20-25 French men/women since I got here, and I don't remember one person being cold or not friendly with me. OK, I am aware that most times I am out socially, and French are known to be more friendly during their nights out, so maybe I have to wait until I work with French people to really see this.
I have made some really good French friends already, and I really like them. They aren't as outgoing/crazy as us Portuguese/Spanish, but there is no need, they are really friendly and great people.
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Lyon - love at first sight?
I have now been in Lyon for a full week, so I decided to resume here what I did during this past 7 days and how I am finding living in France and specifically Lyon.
I knew it coming in that it was but, after spending the past 6 out of 7 days in sunny but cold Lyon, I now know first hand how truly beautiful this city is. Here are some photos as proof!
The French school
I also really like the school I am studying French for the next 3 months. I am aware that it has only been one week but the majority of the teachers are very enthusiastic and great at what they do, and my colleagues are great.
The nationality diversity is incredible, in the morning class, we have 12 different nationalities - Portuguese, Brazilian, Syrienne, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Spanish, Greek, American, Chinese, Australian and Equatorian! In the afternoon we also have Italian, Colombia, Iran and Kuwait!
All of them with just one aim, to learn French, it is very inspiring.
The lessons are accessible for me (A1N2) and I hope in the next month or two, I can move up a level (A2), which would mean I would be making good progress.
Friends in Lyon
I have made some friends in Lyon - a Brazilian (yes I know typical!), an Englishman (yes, can't get rid of you guys!) both from the french school, and in the past few days I have met some awesome people, mainly French, which have made this week truly unforgettable.
Running and cycling in Lyon
Well, I haven't run as much as I want because I have been busy sorting stuff out, but I have done enough to tell you that Lyon is very sports friendly. People here are very active, either running or cycling, or even using scooters, which here are really common.
I have joined the VeloV, a self-service bike rental that everyone uses. It costs €25/year and then the first 30 minutes of usage are free, and 0.75€ for the first additional 30min over those free 30min. I live far (3miles) from school and the city centre, and it takes me 30min to cycle, so this is perfect - no need to pay for public transport.
My "home"
So, for some of you wondering where I am staying at the moment, here it is. I am living in a student accommodation for the duration of my French language school (3 months). I only share the kitchen, which is a bonus as I don't have to wait for toilet or showers, but the room doesn't have much room to fit clothes or my things, apart from that, pas de problem!
As for the French people...either I have been very lucky, or people are wrong when categorising the French as cold and arrogant! I have met quite a few French people this past week, and seriously they have all been fantastic! Very interesting, they usual speak several languages, and are really friendly.
I only had a couple of cases of rudeness at an insurance office and at my accommodation office, but with one of them, I explained my point, smiled, and everything was fine straight away and we are know in great spirits with each other!
I will leave you with a French saying that really speaks to me and to this experience in Lyon.
"Croquer la vie a pleines dents!"
(loosely meaning, take chances in life/enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about risks)
I guess the title says it all, I really really like Lyon and this week has been incredible for many reasons, which I mention now...
Lyon is truly beautiful
I knew it coming in that it was but, after spending the past 6 out of 7 days in sunny but cold Lyon, I now know first hand how truly beautiful this city is. Here are some photos as proof!
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| Vieux Lyon |
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| Lyon Cathedral |
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| Rhone Quay |
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| The view from "La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere" |
Family making it special
As you remember, the main reason I chose Lyon was being closer to my Portuguese/French cousins. They have really helped me settling in Lyon, either by going out with me to street markets, picnics by the river, celebrating my birthday, or taking me out for a picnic on a cabin in the woods with their best friends...I have truly been spoiled by them since I got here!
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| My 31st birthday |
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| Sunday street market |
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| Picnic by the river - fromage, du pain...cliche but..who cares? |
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| Cabin where we had lunch and conversed outside - awesome |
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| Lake in front of the cabin |
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| My cousin and I in L'Aid with her friends |
I also really like the school I am studying French for the next 3 months. I am aware that it has only been one week but the majority of the teachers are very enthusiastic and great at what they do, and my colleagues are great.
The nationality diversity is incredible, in the morning class, we have 12 different nationalities - Portuguese, Brazilian, Syrienne, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Spanish, Greek, American, Chinese, Australian and Equatorian! In the afternoon we also have Italian, Colombia, Iran and Kuwait!
All of them with just one aim, to learn French, it is very inspiring.
I have made some friends in Lyon - a Brazilian (yes I know typical!), an Englishman (yes, can't get rid of you guys!) both from the french school, and in the past few days I have met some awesome people, mainly French, which have made this week truly unforgettable.
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| Out in a Jazz bar |
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| Celebrating my birthday with wine by the River Rhone |
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| Other friends made at the Jazz bar |
Well, I haven't run as much as I want because I have been busy sorting stuff out, but I have done enough to tell you that Lyon is very sports friendly. People here are very active, either running or cycling, or even using scooters, which here are really common.
I have joined the VeloV, a self-service bike rental that everyone uses. It costs €25/year and then the first 30 minutes of usage are free, and 0.75€ for the first additional 30min over those free 30min. I live far (3miles) from school and the city centre, and it takes me 30min to cycle, so this is perfect - no need to pay for public transport.
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| Parc de la tete D'Or |
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Running by the river in the morning is fantastic!
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| Parc de la tete D'Or |
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| Scooters - so many people use them |
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| VeloV - the public bike that everyone uses |
So, for some of you wondering where I am staying at the moment, here it is. I am living in a student accommodation for the duration of my French language school (3 months). I only share the kitchen, which is a bonus as I don't have to wait for toilet or showers, but the room doesn't have much room to fit clothes or my things, apart from that, pas de problem!
The French and the french
Regarding my french, I am pleasantly surprised that I can manage to speak the basics!!
I can hold a very basic conversation with a French person on what I do, why I came to Lyon, what I did before, what I want to do, what I like, etc etc..and I can also ask basic questions to them. I understand more than I speak but when they go quickly or talk about a topic I'm not used to, I have no chance!
It is frustrating not being able to speak/hear to my full potential - compared to Portuguese/English, but I thought it would be even worse! I know I am impatient and it can be tough, but I know this is a slow and long process and I am embracing it. I am going to as many events as I can and I am trying to speak French at every occasion, so it can only get better...right?
As for the French people...either I have been very lucky, or people are wrong when categorising the French as cold and arrogant! I have met quite a few French people this past week, and seriously they have all been fantastic! Very interesting, they usual speak several languages, and are really friendly.
I only had a couple of cases of rudeness at an insurance office and at my accommodation office, but with one of them, I explained my point, smiled, and everything was fine straight away and we are know in great spirits with each other!
Summary:
I want to say I am in love with Lyon...because I am...however, I can't love Lyon just after 1 week right? It's a bit like a love relationship in the initial stages...Let's say that I am infatuated by Lyon, I am passionate about it, but I believe these feelings will naturally turn into love in the next few months!I will leave you with a French saying that really speaks to me and to this experience in Lyon.
"Croquer la vie a pleines dents!"
(loosely meaning, take chances in life/enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about risks)
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