Everyone says that the USA is the land of opportunity… but not for everything! Here’s a list of things I can do in France that I can’t in the USA.
First, as I always say, this isn’t a judgment of France or the U.S., nor am I saying any one country is superior. They’re different countries so it’s only normal that we do things differently. I think it’s super interesting to learn about cultural differences, not only to better prepare ourselves for travel but to further education and cultural awareness.
Also, I write from the perspective of an American in France — my lived experience — but the things I list below don’t necessarily apply only to France.
Let’s go!
17 Things I can do in France that I can’t in the USA:
1. Walk my small and well-behaved dog into a restaurant and dine with her under the table without anyone batting an eye. In many cases, the waiter will even bring her a bowl of water! (If waitstaff goes out of their way for your dog, definitely leave a small tip!)
Dagny has eaten at outdoor cafes as well as Michelin-starred restaurants, and as long as your dog is quiet and calm, it’s rarely a problem.
2. Go to a local emergency veterinarian on a Sunday and leave with a bill that was only in the low 3 digits (for something that would be well over $1000 back home).
3. Drink an open container of alcohol in plain view walking down the street without the fear of getting arrested. I have never attempted this since I like to get tipsy when I have the security of a chair and table to prop me up, but it’s legal in most areas of France to open some wine for a picnic or imbibe as long as you’re not sloppy, fall-down drunk. Ivresse is what you want to avoid.
4. Get a perfectly decent bottle of wine at the grocery store for under 10 euros. And get a wedge of Brie and a baguette for a few euros along with it. Now you’re not going to get a top quality Bordeaux wine for 5 euros at the supermarket but there are many wines that are great table wines — even organic ones — that won’t cost you a ton of money.
Even if you buy direct from the winery, many wines in France are perfectly affordable. I live out by Angers in the Loire Valley and lots of wines are under 10 euros/bottle. Baguettes and bread are anywhere from 1 to 2 euros each depending on what you get and a wedge of cheese can be picked up for a couple of euros as well.
5. Join a gym without signing a lengthy legal waiver to protect them against lawsuits. Signing up for a gym membership was a quick and painless process. If I slip on the floor, it’s my problem — not theirs.
Credit: Shutterstock.com/smolaw
6. Go to the doctor without filling out a clipboard full of paperwork beforehand. Healthcare in France is nothing like our system in the USA.
7. Along with that, the ability to see a doctor without worrying about the bill. And have the doctor make a house call if you can’t get out of bed. Now that’s not to say all Americans worry about medical costs. They don’t because some people have good insurance, but the difference is in France everyone has the same base coverage and then most people have affordable supplemental insurance for even more coverage, called a mutuelle. Healthcare in France is a right, not a privilege and isn’t attached to your job status.
And doctors can make house calls if necessary. Also, a price list is displayed in a doctor’s waiting room so there’s no mystery about what the prices are. I’ve had the experience in the US where I ask how much a certain test costs and they are unable to tell me in advance. In France, that’s not the case.
8. Order a glass of wine at a work lunch without anyone batting an eye. It’s normal and meals are meant to be enjoyed! Regarding social norms, here are some U.S. social norms that don’t translate to French culture.
9. Take off work for 3 weeks in the summer for vacation and still have a job to return to when you come back! Many Americans get 2 weeks of paid vacation per year and legally, it’s not required by law to give any days of vacation at all.
That’s right, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require American employers to give employees any vacation leave at all. In France, all full-time employees get 5 weeks of paid vacation and that’s mandated by law. Many French people take 2 or 3 weeks off in the summer and it’s a normal thing to do, not grounds for termination or a sign that you’re slacking off work. The French work to live, not the other way around (and it doesn’t mean they’re lazy!).
10. Buy a Kinder Surprise Egg in the grocery store (they’re banned in the USA because they’re a choking hazard).
11. Travel internationally by high-speed train. France’s high speed train is called the TGV, trains à grand vitesse. You can go from Paris to nearly everywhere around France and then outside of big cities, there’s a well connected regional train network.
There’s even a discount card for all types of situations, seniors, students, etc. These trains can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h so travel times are reasonable. Paris to Brussels is about 90 minutes. Here’s my ultimate guide to train travel in France.
12. Drive on highways that don’t have an abundance of potholes.
13. Know the total price of your purchase upfront without having to do any math (the price you see on the ticket or menu is the price you pay). The VAT is standard everywhere.
14. Go to Picard — France’s frozen food store! It is like nothing I’d ever experienced in the USA, and I make weekly visits (or as often as my freezer space will allow). It’s a favorite among the French too.
Picture your regular grocery store’s frozen food aisles times 10. This isn’t any frozen food store, though. Picard foods are all Picard brand (a few exceptions) and extremely high quality, not to mention the selection is unreal.
Picard has over 1,100 products including appetizers, soups, fish and meat both plain and prepared, sauces, vegetables, fruit, chopped herbs, pasta, all kinds of desserts and ice cream and even bread and pancakes. They’ve offered organic products since 1998 and pride themselves on offering products that are as close to their natural state as possible, without GMOs, hydrogenated oils and only minimal salt. 70% of their suppliers are in France with local know-how.
Even if you enjoy cooking and have the time to do it, is not feasible for most modern families to cook every single meal 100% from scratch every single day, so when you need something, Picard is always the answer. Yes, it’s that good.
P.S. Here’s where to get French grocery items in the U.S.
15. Find mostly non-GMO produce in the supermarket.
16. Find amazing baguettes everywhere! It’s not a stereotype — the French really do frequent the bakery often.
17. Graduate from university with no debt! The French pay a small fraction of what students pay in the USA for higher education. The tuition at public universities is less than 500 euros/year, and even the top tier grandes écoles, France’s best equivalent to US Ivy Leagues are much less expensive.
It’s common in the US for adults to carry to student loan debt for years, well into their 30s and that would be quite unusual for a French person. Even medical school in France doesn’t cost hundreds of thousands of euros. Master’s programs may be 4 or 5,ooo euros/year.
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There are loads more. I’d love to hear your additions to my list of what you can do in France but not the United States! For tips to better prepare you for your trip, check out my eGuide titled “75 Beginner France travel tips for a standout trip!”
Don’t forget to check out the opposite post about things I can do in the USA that I can’t in France!
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Number 18 – sunbathe topless on the beach!!!
Is that legal on every beach in France? I know in the US it’ll get you in trouble but in France I have to say I’ve only seen naked folks at a specific beach for the naturistes on the Atlantic Coast. Can you go topless anywhere?
I don’t know if it’s legal or not, but i’ve seen often people doing it in different ‘normal’ beach.
As long as you don’t show off to everyone, you will not get into troubles.
Some parents or ‘oldschool’ person may do some protest from time to time ^^
If you do it only for sunbathe while laying down, it will always be ok i think
Hello !
I’m a young French who just moved to the US. I’m trying to understand the “cultural gap” between our countries and I think your website more interesting for me than a French-expat one – and it’s written in English.
Just to introduce myself. By the way your website is awesome !
Answer of your funny question : you can go topless everywhere (at a beach only, not in a cemetry). However you have to be at naked beach areas if you want to be naked, and “vice-versa” (forbidden to get ANY clothes).
Hi Mathieu, really appreciate the nice comment. I find it so interesting that French people like the site as well. I don’t know why I assumed it wouldn’t appeal to French people but am so glad it does!
Where do you live in the USA? Everything going OK so far? And thank you for the info about going topless. That makes sense!
I don’t know neither : thanks to this article, I learn 17 things I won’t be able to do in the US (3rd point will avoid me from troubles).
I’ll work exactly in Rochester, NH (few non metric units North of Boston). I JUST moved to the US so it’s really too early to answer your question, I’ll start to work on Monday. I’m not worry about living here but I’m currently filling papers and looking for a home and a car… My experience won’t be very interesting before a few weeks.
Very cool, well good luck on the new job and bon courage for your first day of work and finding an apartment and car. If you have/decide to start a blog, let me know the link. Thanks again for stopping by! 😉
We spent a year with our kids in the South of France and my 12 yr old daughter was thrilled she could go topless at the beach. I had to stop her when she thought she could go to the grocery store topless.
The answer to sunbathing topless is the same as England and Italy – of course you can- love USA but they have strange ideas!
It’s only strange if it’s not what you’re used to!
You can be topless (or monokini) on any beach in France because women have the same rights men do in that regard. Technically, a man could be stopped for walking down the street shirtless, because he’s not supposed to do that either, but on the beach (or whilst sunbathing in quiet area of a park) it’s totally acceptable. It’s also allowed during anything that qualifies as a “manif,” so you’ll see a lot of it at Pride celebrations and the TechnoParade and whatnot. It’s also pretty standard for young children (anyone before grade school) to only own bathing suit bottoms. Tops are less common for both boys and girls when kids are little. The only remnant of that in the US these days (for anyone past babyhood) is the little girl on the Tropicana suntan lotion bottles.
I don’t know if they do it on every beach, but I did see topless people on beaches in Nice and Biarritz, and I did it in Biarritz! I just closed my eyes and took my top off, but it did feel strange!
I was going to say that! I only have to pay for half a swimsuit !
But we may end up spending more on sunscreen to lather up that exposed skin!
Yes to those. Though on the gym membership–you have to go to the doctor for a certifcate medicale, which is a different kind of hassle.
As for the beaches, I’ve seen topless women all over the place. Including at resort swimming pools. Naturist beaches are for taking off bottoms–for men and women. But at the Mediterranean beaches I’ve been to, and that’s lots of them as we’re in the region, there are topless women, young to quite old and sagging, lying around, walking around, and nobody bats an eye.
Your gym required a medical certificate? Oh man, they are serious! Nothing like that out here at my gym! You just sign something that says you’re physically able to hold a membership and that was that!
Love the beaches!! I gawk as much as the pervy guys!
Yes to ALLl of these.. I miss France, even more so when I just opened up my doctor bill & I haven’t met my deductible yet. It was a specialty visit – my bill is $1230. I must pay it all until I meet my $3000 deductible. Ugh.
Where to begin….enjoy hearing and trying to speak the beautiful French language!
Well yes, hearing French every day, that’s a given! 😉 Thx for checking out the post!
The deductible nonsense is a real pain in the ass and I don’t miss that for a bit. Lucky that yours is *only* $3k. A friend’s was $6k and he had emergency tonsil surgery after getting a horrible infection and the surgery was over 20K. He had to come up with $6k (and still they only paid 80% of the remaining cost) before they’d pay anything and it killed him financially. I’m so sorry for the huge bill. ;-( France’s medical system is far from perfect but at least no one has to choose between putting food on the table and their healthcare costs. Ughhhhhh
The words are printed over each other unfortunately.
17. Graduate from university with no debt!
Wow. Grown-ups understand that one gets what one pays for…
But it is probably “good” that university educations in FR cost nothing– because there are no jobs waiting for those who finally do graduate.
My comments are excepted for those who attend the Grandes Ecoles however– their roads after graduation are paved with gold; which raises a whole different set of questions regarding the elitist nature of French culture in general.
That’s an interesting comment. You think that education in the USA is far superior — across the board — to education in France? And that tuition of 40k/year for a private college in the USA is worth it and normal? I have a friend who went to a Grande Ecole for pretty much no money (full scholarship based on his smarts) and he works for a top bank now — worked extremely hard to get where he is. Which brings me to the point of how a lot of factors influence one’s overall experience in higher education. The school choice, the course of study, professors and one’s personal drive and effort in being a good student contribute to the end result. Paying a lot of money doesn’t automatically equal a great education. Similarly, a free education doesn’t equal a great one either. But what doesn’t help anyone is being a 22-year-old with debt that will take you 20 years to pay off!
Anyway, I would love to get your insight into education if you went to school in both countries. Genuinely curious… and also I don’t think the job market is doing particularly great in either country right now.
Yes, Diane! Thank you for your answer, it’s perfect, I have nothing to add!
As someone who studied at the university in France for a year, I would like to share my opinion. I think the French high schools are much harder than American high schools. I think that it evens out at the university level. I do not think that Americans can expect a free education at the university level because Americans want an “experience” at the university. In general, Americans want to join clubs, live in very nice dorms, have beautiful campuses, attend sporting events, etc. While in France in 1993, the students went to school to learn. The students were not there to party. They all went home to their families on the weekend. The campus, where I studied in France was decent, but it was nothing like the public university I studied at in the United States. I just went to freshman orientation for my son, and the university was totally selling the school by showing all the amenities the school has to offer. The entire time I kept thinking, “No wonder this is costing us so much!” 😉
Hi Stephanie, you’re absolutely right and I’ve heard similar sentiments from other people. French schools are no fluff and in some ways, it seems you get what you pay for. I think the cost of higher ed in the US is outrageous but maybe there’s a compromise somewhere. French schools (even the elementary level) seem to be more strict overall than their American counterparts with little room for creativity and different ways of learning. I guess it’s a cultural difference, but I have to say after seeing how French schools operate, I’m very thankful to have gone to school in the USA. Thanks for your comment. 😉 Do you still live in France?
I went to one of the top universities in the UK (and one of the top 100 in the world) and it cost me nothing. I was 900 miles from home, I lived in a residence for a year and met great people, then shared a flat for the remaining 3 years. My education led me to a good job.
I joined loads of associations and societies, partied plenty and made friends for life.
Of course now, British universities are no longer free, but back then they were, so the “get what you pay for” argument above certainly didn’t apply then… I wouldn’t swap my education for anything from the US or France…
Ah, yes, I see. If there are no jobs there is no point getting an education.
:-O
What about smoking wherever you want? Do they still do that? In restaurants, etc. It’s banned almost everywhere in the U.S. I’m not a smoker, so it doesn’t bother me, and I enjoy not breathing so much smoke in clubs and restaurants and not going home smelling like an ashtray.
It’s banned to smoke in restaurants and clubs in France also (except outside).
I love all that points! I will be soon in France 😀 😀
We called our health insurance a day in the US, we asked if a care (normal care not for dental or optic or “exotic care”) is reimburse or not (we had the “health code” related to this care), they answered “we don’t know”… ok so if my health insurance doesn’t know if I will be covered or not, how can I know???
That’s the problem! There are so many plans with so many rules that even the companies who manage the plans can never be sure of the answer. I always got everything in writing so that if they denied a claim they previously OK’d for me on the phone, I’d have proof. So confusing! I hope they figured out an answer for you!
Buy travel insurance. It is cheap and covers 100% of your travel medical costs.
Smoking isn’t allowed in restaurants or indoors really anywhere. Amen for that. Can’t stand the ashtray smell either so very happy about that legislation. Outside at cafes though you can smoke and even though it’s outdoors, the tables are often close enough where if the person next to you is smoking, you’ll be breathing it in too.
Swear and not get in trouble. The equivalent english swear words just wouldn’t pass in business situations or in front of family/friends with a Christian upbringing. Even our aunt who is a nun says “on mon Dieu” all the time. I could never say “oh my God” – imagine if I was a nun saying it! People say merde on the phone in business context. Even the lady today at Pole Emploi said it in front of me. I really don’t think that would pass in a US office.
Yeah, I must agree that swearing is much more relaxed in France. I won’t say it’s more common because people curse everywhere — but I hear merde and putain in situations where that would NOT be cool in the USA. Like instructors at the gym, in professional contexts, on news programs, etc. I wrote more about French swears in casual speech here: https://www.ouiinfrance.com/2015/08/31/do-or-dont-the-use-of-putain-in-casual-speech/
I love France and have been many times. But when you say graduate with no debt and go to the doctor without worring about the bill, remember that you ARE paying. The taxes in France and Canada are killer. We get a lot of people immigragting from Canada because the cost of living is so so high. My husband had his retina detach while we were in Canada and they would not accept his U.S. insurance and they would not treat him nor see him without him paying up front. They would not do that in the U.S. I am a realist when it comes to socialized medicine, and although ours could be better, nothing is free.
Hi Laura, yes absolutely you’re 100% correct. You’ll notice I was careful to not say the word “free.” Because as you said, we are paying. But if you’re making a normal salary by French standards, the taxes actually aren’t that much. It’s the social charges that are high. In the USA, we pay taxes and charges as well and then have to seek out health insurance on top of that (which can be quite expensive) so of course there are pros and cons to both systems and nothing is perfect. C’est la vie. I guess the most important thing is to weigh the pros and cons and then live somewhere that makes sense to you and is in accordance with what’s important in your life. Thanks so much for commenting — and I hope your husband was able to get the treatment he needed and that his eye is OK now! 😉
I agree with your comments here. I’d heard about how crazy high French taxes are, but once I backed out my payments for health insurance, the amount I save every month to ensure I can meet my “max out of pocket” without going bankrupt, US social taxes, the extra amount to my 401k since US social security is basically poverty level . . . I was surprised to find that it really wasn’t as big of a difference as I’d expected. I’ll take slightly less net pay for the huge amount of paid holiday I get as well!
Yes, that is the “math” of it! If you add to your US tax bill the amounts we pay in the US for our own healthcare insurance and out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and the costs of post-secondary education, then you will see that the French do not really pay much more in taxes than we do at all, for the same basket of goods (the big difference is that we have to cover some things in the US privately, that the French get covered by their taxes). The “social charges” your French employer pays on your behalf also contribute to a more robust unemployment, social security, long-term disability, and retirement system. And, yes, it’s hard to beat 4 to 6 weeks of paid vacation! (I’m an American expat living in France since 2000.) So, it’s either pay the piper yourself, or pay the government to pay the piper on your behalf—either way, the piper gets paid!
thanks for highlighting this. income tax and tax on things you buy are very low in the US. When a friend came over he bought lots of electronic equipment, such as hardware, because they are so cheap.
even grocery is so much cheaper.
all public libraries are free (the card is paid by your taxes), you can check out TONS of things, they offer amazing choice, plus you can download ebooks, audiobooks, movies from your library website online. I am appalled by the small sizes of many public libraries in France, and what little they can offer.
I also like that staff in shops are very friendly (I’m in the Midwest, it may be different in other areas of the US), so different from the experience I used to have in France, as a French person. I always felt I was bothering sellers.
And also that people I don’t know still say hello on the street – I had not experienced this in France for a long time
I am Canadian, and taxes in Canada are NOT a “killer”. When I worked in the USA I was insured by my university, but the DAY my contract ended I got a call from the insurance company to let me know I needed to pay for health insurance now. It was nice of them to call, but since I had been paying $25/month for my Canadian health care all along, I did not need insurance in the USA – I was going home soon!
You can do, 6,7,8,8,10, 12 & 13 here in Aus as well, although all countries have good and bad points.
Yup, very true. Nowhere is perfect!
Hi Diane!
It’s not legal to drink alcohol in all public places though. You definitely can’t in public parks or certain places. It depends on the municipalities. Most of the time, you won’t get any problems apart from having to put away your bottle if asked, but it did happen to me.
Oh ok, good to know, thank you! I know that in most public places you don’t have to conceal your beer. Or cops just ignore it as long as you’re not sloppy drunk.
I did not know Kinder Surprise was banned in the US. I’ll have to google that.
Also I’d add, having a doctor come to your house on a Sunday night (SOS Medicin) for a measly 60 euros.
About the waiver, I do appreciate that. But I don’t appreciate having to get a doctor’s note every time I was to run in a race or do some kind of physical activity.
Yes, house calls are great! Are you saying that events in France — or back home in Canada — have requested a doctor’s note? That’s annoying!
So true Diane. Since I’ve been in the US, I came to a personal conclusion.
In France time is maybe more valued there compared to money (more vacations). Health is more considered as a common right and it’s not a service like any other. It has a cost but I think the burden is shared with the healthy, the wealthy and the young. Education is less expensive to the students. Maybe it is more subsidised by the people and the companies?
Maybe the one I did not see in your list is retirement. Today’s workers pay for today’s retirees. It’s not without a problem when young people cannot find a job and retirees live longer. It is probably not sustainable if nothing changes. I guess that’s why we have to work longer.
I feel that in France you may earn less and pay more taxes than in the US, especially if you make more money, but then I feel that you are more covered and you worry less about health, education and retirement. In the US, you earn more and you are more free to use your money the way you want but if you care about these 3 topics, it’possible that it costs you more than in France. It is true that having these 3 topics handled by the goverment (or central unique agencies) come with some bureaucracy inefficiency but it can also come to an overall cheaper cost because there is less marketting cost, no capital to retribute, economy of scale…
Now, I made the choice to stay in the US for now so you can tell that there are things that I prefer in the us, for now. But I write already too much on your site.
Thanks for another great post Diane
Hello! After living in France for a bit, I have to say I agree with your personal conclusion — that in France time is more valued than money, and healthcare is a common right, as it should be. But this is a huge topic and extremely controversial, especially with the US elections coming up. I wonder if you’ve gotten into any arguments with Americans about this?
I don’t think there’s any one perfect system but I have to say that not worrying about medical bills is a definite perk! There’s a lot to say on this topic and I don’t want to write a book in the reply to your comment, but I always appreciate your point of view, so thank you again!
When I talk about the healthcare system in France, I usually have 2 types of reactions.
They wonder if you get good care in France and if you don’t wait too long for an appointment. They usually don’t know that life expectancy is longer in France. They don’t know you can have a doctor coming to your house the day you call. But it’s true that with some specialists, you sometime have to take an appointment several month in advance.
The other comment I usually have is that they don’t want to pay for people who make bad health choice. It’s the question of the accountability which I think is important for the American people.
Sanders is often refering to the healthcare system in Europe. Since I lived most of my life in France, I don’t think it’s such a radical idea. I’d be happy if it could get closer to that system here in the US. I would worry less for the health of my family. And overall, I have the feeling that it would cost less for the entire society. But it would probably cost more for some. Big debate!
Some of these are why I love France so much!
I didn’t know Kinder Eggs were banned in the US…crikey another Nanny State like the UK. (although they are not banned here…yet!)
Yes, there’s conflicting info on the internet about if they were banned but now are not or if they are still banned. I don’t know how strict US customs is about it but probably not going to risk it by trying to bring one to the US. Seems silly though for a little chocolate candy/toy!
Great article and comments. Thanks for what you do.
Thank you for taking the time to read the post! 😉
Number 13 gets me!! I just moved from France to Canada, and I am in a constant state of confusion about taxes and tips… I love this post!
Thanks Marina! Is tipping in Canada like it is in the US? 20% on a restaurant bill? It sure is easier in France. So glad you liked the post 😉
Yup, it’s just like the US!
I think I almost like n° 14 best, PICARD!!!! I hear you! Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance
I really, really love that place. My favorites change all the time. Right now they have these really good fish sticks I’m craving… I find the quality to be great overall. I’m there once a week!
Brilliant comparisons! I’m from the UK, now live in France, but one day hope to live in the US! Found you via #AllAboutFrance
Thanks so much!
I was told that Kinder Eggs were banned because of the toy inside not being suitable for small children. However, the ban has been lifted much to the delight of my (teenage) son who loves them! Brought some back on my last trip…
Yup, that’s exactly right. The “surprise” inside the egg is a choking hazard and violated section 402(d) of the Federal, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.. I had no idea the ban was lifted and didn’t find any information to that effect when I was researching for this piece. Articles from several months ago still spoke of the ban so thank you for the update!
That’s funny because I think there is so much more paperwork here in France than where we used to live in the UK. But I guess all systems are different and I’m glad it seems easier and more relaxed for you here! #allaboutfrance
Oh there’s a ton of paperwork in France for things like the carte de sejour and anything bureaucracy related. So. Many. Photocopies. But for doctors’ visits and the gym? That was easy. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Hi! I’m an expat in France too, but with an American husband. Although I have no idea what a Kinder Surprise Egg is and have never been in a Picard, I do agree with everything else you wrote! True enough! Great post– I enjoyed it! Merci-
You have to go to Picard! Best place ever!
Eat at McDonald’s 3 + times a week and STILL LOSE WEIGHT !!!! I lived there a year and dropped 30 + lbs eating pizza, Chinese buffet, wine, beer ,bread, croissants, cheese, pastries and McDoo’s . No, I did not change my diet, exercise, or anything. French food-even fast food- is not made of chemicals, fat, and other crap. It is just better -purer food. Also, they still use cane sugar not corn syrup or fructose like the US does to sweeten things like cookies candies and sodas. Maybe it’s just me-but I have put those pounds back on and then some since returning.
Will be going to Paris this year and always looking for different places to visit
To go between Paris and Rennes the toll is more than 25euros because I used to take blablacar every other weekend. So apparently the tolls are crazy expensive everywhere haha. I’m from Kentucky and have only ever paid a toll on the US is when I drove through Kansas on my way to Colorado.
And with that glass of wine at lunch you can also take your time and enjoy your 2 hour lunch and not have to rush!
This post actually opened my eyes a bit once again, so thank you 🙂 It’s amazing how much we take for granted here, and still complain about them. The situation with Kinder Eggs or public health care or holidays is similar where I’m from (Poland) and where I currently live (UK) and it struck me how the American dream might not be quite as we always imagined it to be. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Hi Marta, thanks for taking the time to comment! I think it’s a human trait to take things for granted and complain, but sometimes we’re able to take a step back and see things differently and that’s a good thing. Moving to France has opened my eyes to things I’d otherwise never see, both good and bad. I think the American dream is alive and well but it means different things to different people. The US has a lot going for it but so does France. 😉
You get fully paid maternity leave of 16 weeks for baby # 1 & 2, 26 weeks from # 3, 34 weeks for twins;
Preschool every where and free starting age of 3 (2 in some places);
University annual fee less than 200$ (even for med school);
For prescription drugs you’ll only pay from 35% of the price to 0 (for very expensive ones)…
Organic food, at least basics, in every supermarket for sometimes less than “normal”;
“Cantine” wich means full hot healthy lunch with starter, main dish, dairy and dessert in every single school – and most schools offer at least 20% of it with organic components at a cost depending on parents income, starting to around 1€ to 6 or 7€ for the more wealthy;
Almost free music or art after school quality classes in every city “conservatoire” (may cost you less than 100$ a year…
I love France. I also going Second time for new year party. Good Job Diane.
This list did nothing but irritate me. People who are afraid of GMOs only come off as people who don’t understand GMOs, and I definitely have gotten the police called on me for drinking in public in France. (It was only a drink with 2.5% ABV, too, and I wasn’t fall-down drunk. Probably just talking too loudly.)
Diane this is such a fun and informative blog! Merci beaucoup from Louisiana!
So glad you enjoyed it!!
I was born in the wrong country 🙁