10 American Habits That French People Just Don’t Understand

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10 American Habits That French People Just Don’t Understand

Have you ever found yourself wondering how certain everyday habits might seem odd to someone from another culture? Well, the French often find some American customs a bit puzzling. Let’s explore 10 everyday American habits that typically leave the French scratching their heads.

1. Refrigerating Eggs, Milk, and Bread

In the U.S., it’s super common to toss your eggs, milk, and even bread into the fridge. This might seem totally normal to us, but it often confuses our French friends. In France, eggs and bread are usually kept at room temperature. The idea here is to enjoy these items as fresh as possible.

Refrigerating bread can actually make it go stale faster because the cold air affects its moisture content. Milk is pasteurized differently in France, allowing it to be stored outside the fridge until opened. This difference in handling everyday items is a surprising cultural distinction.

2. Constantly Eating and Drinking on the Go

Always seen with a coffee in hand or munching on a bagel while sprinting to catch a bus? That’s pretty standard in the U.S. However, in France, eating is considered an activity to be enjoyed and savored, not something you do while multitasking.

French people value taking the time to sit down and enjoy meals, even coffee, which is usually consumed in small, leisurely sips of espresso, not gulped down.

3. Giant Coffee Cups Instead of a Proper Espresso

Speaking of coffee, the U.S. love for giant coffee cups can be quite perplexing to the French. In France, coffee is almost an art form, enjoyed in small, strong doses like espresso. The American preference for large quantities of often less-strong coffee, served in paper cups, contrasts sharply with the French approach to caffeine.

4. Wearing Gym Clothes Everywhere, Even When Not Working Out

In the U.S., it’s completely normal to wear activewear all day, regardless of whether you’re going to the gym. This casual fashion statement, however, often puzzles the French, who generally dress more formally in public. For them, gym clothes are for the gym, and that’s about it.

5. Tipping for Every Little Thing

Tipping in America can seem like a complex rulebook with expectations of tipping for almost any service. In France, however, tipping is not as deeply ingrained in the culture. Service charge is often included in the price of the meal or service, so tipping, while appreciated, is not expected to the same extent.

6. Smiling at Strangers on the Street

If you’re walking down the street in the U.S., smiling at strangers is pretty normal and seen as friendly. However, in France, people might find excessive smiling at strangers a bit unnerving or insincere. They tend to be more reserved and keep smiles for familiar faces.

7. Eating Dinner Super Early (5–6 PM? Too Soon!)

Americans often eat dinner around 5 or 6 PM, especially in family settings. To the French, this is way too early! In France, dinner is a later affair, often starting after 7 PM. Eating so early in the evening just doesn’t fit the relaxed, prolonged dining experience that is customary in France.

8. The Obsession with Ice in Every Drink

If there’s space in a glass, it seems Americans will find a way to fill it with ice. This love for ice-cold drinks baffles many French people, who typically prefer their beverages without an iceberg floating inside. In France, drinks are served with minimal or no ice to not dilute the flavor.

9. Working Crazy Hours and Barely Taking Vacation

The American work ethic often involves long hours and a “hustle” mentality, with less vacation time compared to other countries. In contrast, France values leisure and relaxation, offering ample vacation days to enjoy life outside of work. The difference in working culture is stark and often puzzling to the French.

10. Fast Food and Takeout Being a Regular Dinner Option

Lastly, the reliance on fast food and takeout meals in America is something that often doesn’t sit well with the French. With a rich culinary tradition, French people generally prefer home-cooked meals or dining out in cafes and restaurants. The idea of regularly eating fast food for dinner is somewhat alien to them.

Understanding these cultural differences can make for not just educational but also amusing insights into how varied our world is. Whether you’re American or French, observing and respecting each other’s cultural norms can lead to a richer, more diverse experience.