Q & A

Subject: Going to be a foreign exchange student in France.

Question: I am planning on being a foreign exchange student in the year 2004. I am trying to get an idea of what is like to live there on a day-to-day basis before I go. Things like what are the families like, what clothes are considered appropriate for what occasions .i.e., do many people wear t-shirts and jeans, or something a little less casual.

Answer: Now that I have been living in France for over a year and a half I sometimes have problems seeing the day-to-day differences but I will give it a shot. Meals and the conversation that takes place during them are the most important part of French culture. Remember this if you ever live with a French family. I sometimes get tired of all the time I spend sitting at the table at my in-laws.
As for clothes, my opinion is that France is much like the US. Except for formal occasions, weddings and such, most people dress casual, t-shirts and jeans.
The French are very formal in their speech, you would never ask a stranger or some one you just met how they are doing, you just say Bonjour. I find that the French keep a distance in relationships. You very rarely would call a business associate by their first name.
You as a student might find some of this lest relevant; younger folks tend to among themselves be lest formal and use the more familiar tu as apposed to the formal vous.
France is a wonderful country to live in and discover. Have fun!

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