Six culture clashes foreigners should prepare for when visiting French families
Family life is central to French culture, but as a foreigner you are likely to find it different to what you are used to. Whether you're visiting for dinner or preparing for a long stay as an Au Pair or exchange student, here are some things to expect.
1. The sugar-high after breakfast
What you heard about the French is true: they go crazy over their Nutella (literally).
The sweet, chocolate-hazelnut spread, which consists of 55 percent sugar, is a French breakfast classic.
Even as the French have become more concerned about eating healthily and lowering their sugar intake, many parents still let their children slather thick layers of Nutella on their tartines (slices of bread) before leaving for school.
REVEALED: This is how popular Nutella is in France
Some French families don't have a lot of different options on the breakfast table, except Nutella, jam and butter.
That means Germans, Scandinavians and others who are used to piling egg, cheese and ham onto their bread in the morning, could be disappointed when moving in with a French family.
French people do eat a lot of cheese, but never for breakfast. And as for bacon and egg? Forget it.
READ ALSO 18 ways your eating and drinking habits change when you move to France
A French family on their way to school. Illustration photo: AFP
2. The sanctity of mealtimes
In many countries it is not uncommon for family members to eat a meals at staggered times with parents returning from work late and the kids passing in and out of the house for their various activities. In France, on the other hand, eating is closer to a sacred ritual.
READ ALSO: Burning question: Do the French really hate all spices?
Every night (and even some lunchtimes), French families sit down at the table to eat a two or three-course meal together. Some families practice a strict no-phone policy at dinner, which means they communicate and have proper discussions, with no one hastily rushing off to their extra-curricular activities.
A normal family dinner in France can last around an hour, and much longer on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.
READ ALSO: How to snack (or not) like a French person
Nutella and fruit juice on the breakfast table of a French family. Illustration photo: ADP
3) The never-ending kissing
Traditionally in France, people greet each other with la bise, a kiss on each cheek (sometimes more).
READ ALSO: French kissing: Where does the custom of 'la bise' come from
Kissing someone that you have never met before might seem strange, but it is a normal social practice in France. La bise isn’t just something you do the first time you meet someone, it’s a never ending social custom that is repeated every time you meet someone for the first time that day.
Families are no exception, and some children are taught to do la bise before heading off to bed at night.
However, just because la bise is normal, it doesn't mean that the French are particularly 'touchy feely' and hugging is a lot less common than it is in other countries.
In the context of the current pandemic, however, la bise has become a thing of the past, which means there is one less culture clash to brace yourself for.
4) The military-style homework recitals
Education is highly valued in France and, depending on where you come from in the world, you may find that schools here have a more authoritarian teaching style than in your home country.
French children are taught early to recite things by heart perfectly - not necessarily understanding what they're saying. During the homework evening recital, French parents are often severe judges.
Don't be shocked if parents bark at their six-year-old for having forgotten a line in their poetry lesson. It seems harsh, but keep in mind that the reality back at the school is likely even harsher.
READ ALSO: The French culture shocks you should be prepared for
French school girls carrying briefcases back in 1967. Illustration photo: AFP
5) If the weather is bad, children stay inside
French children might get tough treatment when practicing their homework, but most of them are cushioned when it comes to the weather.
If you are from a country where you were forced to play outside - sun, rain, snow, storm, whatever - you might find French children a bit wimpish.
It's not uncommon that things stop working in France as soon as there is the slightest bit of snow, and most French children grow up under the impression that rain means indoor playtime, so as to avoid their getting clothes wet and muddy.
6) Their extreme bluntness
French people are generally quite open and free-speaking compared to those in some countries. Few topics are off limits in France.
While British parents tend to teach their children at an early age that some things are not appropriate at the dinner table French parents are generally quite open with their children and will talk about pretty much anything, even at the dinner table.
These differences in table manners reflect a deeper culture difference; while Brits are well-known for being too polite and saying sorry for everything to the point of them being prudish and even closed-off, French people are very to-the-point and will mostly let you know exactly what they think.
They rarely use euphemisms or beat around the bush - something you should bear in mind before asking a French person whether your new, radical haircut really suits you.
Have you experienced culture shocks when moving it with a French family? Tell us at [email protected]
Comments (5)
See Also
1. The sugar-high after breakfast
What you heard about the French is true: they go crazy over their Nutella (literally).
The sweet, chocolate-hazelnut spread, which consists of 55 percent sugar, is a French breakfast classic.
Even as the French have become more concerned about eating healthily and lowering their sugar intake, many parents still let their children slather thick layers of Nutella on their tartines (slices of bread) before leaving for school.
REVEALED: This is how popular Nutella is in France
Some French families don't have a lot of different options on the breakfast table, except Nutella, jam and butter.
That means Germans, Scandinavians and others who are used to piling egg, cheese and ham onto their bread in the morning, could be disappointed when moving in with a French family.
French people do eat a lot of cheese, but never for breakfast. And as for bacon and egg? Forget it.
READ ALSO 18 ways your eating and drinking habits change when you move to France
A French family on their way to school. Illustration photo: AFP
2. The sanctity of mealtimes
In many countries it is not uncommon for family members to eat a meals at staggered times with parents returning from work late and the kids passing in and out of the house for their various activities. In France, on the other hand, eating is closer to a sacred ritual.
READ ALSO: Burning question: Do the French really hate all spices?
Every night (and even some lunchtimes), French families sit down at the table to eat a two or three-course meal together. Some families practice a strict no-phone policy at dinner, which means they communicate and have proper discussions, with no one hastily rushing off to their extra-curricular activities.
A normal family dinner in France can last around an hour, and much longer on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.
READ ALSO: How to snack (or not) like a French person
Nutella and fruit juice on the breakfast table of a French family. Illustration photo: ADP
3) The never-ending kissing
Traditionally in France, people greet each other with la bise, a kiss on each cheek (sometimes more).
READ ALSO: French kissing: Where does the custom of 'la bise' come from
Kissing someone that you have never met before might seem strange, but it is a normal social practice in France. La bise isn’t just something you do the first time you meet someone, it’s a never ending social custom that is repeated every time you meet someone for the first time that day.
Families are no exception, and some children are taught to do la bise before heading off to bed at night.
However, just because la bise is normal, it doesn't mean that the French are particularly 'touchy feely' and hugging is a lot less common than it is in other countries.
In the context of the current pandemic, however, la bise has become a thing of the past, which means there is one less culture clash to brace yourself for.
4) The military-style homework recitals
Education is highly valued in France and, depending on where you come from in the world, you may find that schools here have a more authoritarian teaching style than in your home country.
French children are taught early to recite things by heart perfectly - not necessarily understanding what they're saying. During the homework evening recital, French parents are often severe judges.
Don't be shocked if parents bark at their six-year-old for having forgotten a line in their poetry lesson. It seems harsh, but keep in mind that the reality back at the school is likely even harsher.
READ ALSO: The French culture shocks you should be prepared for
French school girls carrying briefcases back in 1967. Illustration photo: AFP
5) If the weather is bad, children stay inside
French children might get tough treatment when practicing their homework, but most of them are cushioned when it comes to the weather.
If you are from a country where you were forced to play outside - sun, rain, snow, storm, whatever - you might find French children a bit wimpish.
It's not uncommon that things stop working in France as soon as there is the slightest bit of snow, and most French children grow up under the impression that rain means indoor playtime, so as to avoid their getting clothes wet and muddy.
6) Their extreme bluntness
French people are generally quite open and free-speaking compared to those in some countries. Few topics are off limits in France.
While British parents tend to teach their children at an early age that some things are not appropriate at the dinner table French parents are generally quite open with their children and will talk about pretty much anything, even at the dinner table.
These differences in table manners reflect a deeper culture difference; while Brits are well-known for being too polite and saying sorry for everything to the point of them being prudish and even closed-off, French people are very to-the-point and will mostly let you know exactly what they think.
They rarely use euphemisms or beat around the bush - something you should bear in mind before asking a French person whether your new, radical haircut really suits you.
Have you experienced culture shocks when moving it with a French family? Tell us at [email protected]
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.