The Brexit vote result has forced many people in France to scramble for options to secure their future in France, with one popular alternative being to marry a French person.
But according to the American writer behind the Oui In France blog, there are many more advantages to marrying a French person than simply getting a European passport.
You loosen up over time
Making a fool out of yourself when you confuse words in front of people who matter is always a good time and after the first one hundred missteps, you’ll learn to laugh at yourself. Everyone likes someone who can make fun of themselves, right? And anyway, your new spouse is your own private tutor anyway, so your skills will improve dramatically.
Photo: AFP
The accent never gets old
There’s something about hearing my husband speak that makes me smile. Maybe it’s because I don’t know if he’s saying Missouri or misery, or focus or “f–k us”. A French accent is infinitely cooler than an American one. The pronunciation, the intonation and the cute mannerisms just make you swoon. Daily. Multiple times. Forever.
Photo: Photonquantique/Flickr
It’s fun to hear people botch your new French surname
If you choose to take on your French spouse's name, then you might be in for some fun. For my surname, Wargnier, I've heard every permeation you can think of. And that’ll be a regular occurrence at doctors’ offices, for restaurant reservations and whenever a telemarketer calls if you’re outside of France.
If your last name is Smith or something equally unexciting, you’ll be thrilled to marry a French person for the cool last name alone. You get a fancy new last name that will have your friends and family struggling every time they try to say it. Let the good times roll.
You’ll make bilingual babies (if you do it right)
Nothing makes me more envious than little squirts who are barely up to your knees and can speak more than one language. So if you marry a French person and decide to have kids, you’ll pop out little bilingual geniuses that you’ll always have around to make fun of your accent and correct you in front of people you’re trying to impress. And if that’s not enough, bilingual kids just up your cool factor. Like, tenfold.
Mais oui mama, I love you. Photo: Anaïs/Flickr
Because mother-in-law interactions are more fun in French
Regular mother-in-law dynamics are a load of fun when she’s your same nationality, but when she’s French and doesn’t speak English? Well, you’ve got yourself a bunch of fun-filled afternoons. Then add in the fact that you took away her son (or daughter) and that really makes for fun holidays.
You can feel like a master at English
If your partner doesn't speak perfect English, they'll undoubtedly have questions about the English language or American culture. Take pride in providing him with the answers and explanations that will make you feel like you know your stuff. It helps to appear really confident while doing so.
You can be the Shakespeare of the relationship.
You can use the “That’s how we do it back home” excuse to your advantage
When you marry a French guy, take opportunities to teach your man about your culture whenever you can, even if sometimes it’s a fib. Feel like making a weird recipe for dinner? Well, it’s an American tradition. Have an odd habit? Oh, everyone does that back home. You don’t want to give me a nightly foot massage? Well, American men do that without us having to ask and it’s part of our culture. The answer to everything is always, “That’s how we do it back home”.
Photo: Hamza Butt/Flickr
You can use the “That’s how they do it in France” excuse to your advantage
Here's one for if you choose to live outside of France, or for when you’re back visiting family. Every time my friends or family ask about my little croissant habit, I tell them I’m just being respectful of my husband’s French culture.
Where appropriate, use this excuse when you’re taking daily afternoon siestas, cutting in line or doing other things that may or may not be French. It’s only natural to show your guy and the rest of the world that you’re immersing yourself in his culture, so I say embrace away (even if you take it a bit far sometimes).
You always have an excuse to take a vacation
Depending on where you’re living, you can turn a visit to see the family into an action packed vacation. And then make up excuses to go visit whenever your job has you down or you’re feeling stressed. And who doesn’t love a little jaunt overseas every now and again?
Photo: Steve Bennett/Flickr
Because everyone likes a challenge
Challenges keep us growing as human beings and moving forward. From the language to the distance to the culture shock, marrying a French guy may come with some hurdles. But it’s worth it. What’s life without a challenge?
You learn what patience really is
From being asked the same questions by those who hear you’re American to letting your man stumble his way through a difficult sentence, patience truly is a virtue and one that will make you a better wife or husband — even if you don’t realize it at the time. Marrying a French person has its fair share of difficulties just like any relationship and while it’s certainly different from marrying someone from your own culture, it’s a lot of fun as well.
And what’s the point of living if you don’t keep it interesting? So go on, marry a French guy!
To read more from the US blogger visit OuiInFrance, click here.
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