Living French: 7th edition

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One of the hardest parts about being a Francophile but not living in France full-time is missing out on all the cultural practices and nuances that the French lifestyle encourages. I find myself dreaming of 4 pm espressos and trips to the boulangerie more often than you can probably imagine. French Lifestyle Tips French Living’s customers have always provided the clues for making this business successful. They wanted more seats. They wanted to hover, browse and sip coffee, chat with Stef, plan holidays, dinner menus…any excuse to stay a little longer in this delicious French haven. Flâner” which could be almost translated as “to stroll” or “to lounge”, is a concept so French that the word has no true English equivalent. The flâneur is someone who, rooted in the present, wanders through a city with no destination in mind but with a clear purpose: to observe the world in a philosophical way. Non, ce n’est pas possible”, “cela risque d’être compliqué”, “c’est hors de question”, “je ne sais pas”, the French have a variety of ways to say no. And sometimes, in France, you might feel like living in a society where the default answer to almost every question is “non”. Why is that?

To help you learn French cuisine, see the following articles about the best French pastry cookbooks of all time, and the best French cookbooks by actual French chefs. You can find all the best French recipes here. 11. Enjoy A French Apéritif In French there are several words for “to complain”: there is “se plaindre”, used to state one’s dissatisfaction; there’s “se lamenter”, usually we say in French “se lamenter sur son sort” which means complaining about one’s life. There is also “rouspéter”, used to state one’s displeasure; and there’s “râler”: complaining about external issues one’s cannot control and for which there is no goal of resolution.Once I lived in London, I realized what I was missing the most in Paris was not the Eiffel Tower or the party spirit but rather the endless conversations, on the terrasses, with friends just to “refaire le monde”.

Medallions of wild Scottish venison cooked rare with red wine blueberry sauce - gratin Dauphinois & vegetable garnish Instead, the way the French care for themselves is more about doing something for themselves every day. It’s something naturally embedded in their daily routine like traditions and rituals passed from generation to generation. Here are a few tips to take better care of yourself: Finally, there is this peasant heritage that characterizes French society. “Most French people come from the peasantry,” says Mossuz-Lavau. Farmers would hide money away, in cash, somewhere in the house, and would not talk about it so that nobody would steal it. 4. Visit MuseumsThe truth is, however, that living in France doesn’t have to be the only way that you experience the French lifestyle and culture. The Parisian lifestyle, in particular, is something that can be copied in metropolitan areas, while overall French living can be adopted anywhere you live. Did you know that working on Sunday is even forbidden by the law? Indeed, the French labor code sets out the principle of a Sunday rest according to which the weekly rest must be given on Sunday. That is why on Sunday in France, most stores are closed even if the Macron Law now allows large shops in specially-designated tourist zones in Paris to open on Sundays. 14. Adopt The “Laissez Faire”Approach To Wellness The French are absolute masters at this! They can take any seemingly boring activity, like applying skin care products, and elevate it into something truly special. It’s really about bringing a little more mindfulness into the activity and choosing items that bring joy to your life. This is such a huge part of French lifestyle. Schedule regular spa appointments for beauty and health maintenance. Much like exercise, caring for our bodies is a means to caring for our health, overall beauty and mind. So be sure to schedule your facial, massage, hair cut/color, waxing and any other must-dos before you walk out the door from your last appointment. They can often be the respite in a busy week and will no doubt leave you feeling rejuvenated. Wear luxurious lingerie everyday. As I talk about in my book, lingerie is a necessity for the woman who wears it, not for those who might see her in it. Why? Because simply knowing we are wearing beautiful, comfortable, luxurious lingerie feels good. And everything begins with our thoughts. If we feel good, we smile more readily, we are more open to new experiences and our attitude is lifted.

The French are masters in the art of conversation. It’s such an important part of French lifestyle that even children are expected to contribute to the adult conversations at the dinner table. No topics are off limits, such as politics and religion, but instead, the conversation is engaging and objective. It’s a fantastic way to learn more about other ideas without feeling like you “have to be right”. These types of conversations are approached with an air of curiosity rather than a debate that someone needs to win. The French would much rather have a controversial conversation than superficial small talk. This is a big reason why dinner parties last for hours! Stephane is the French half of this partnership, a Frenchman from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, and Louise is a Nottingham girl.Appreciate the small things in life: do not fuss too much about how you look or what people might think of you and do not try too hard to be healthy. Locals tend to be discreet and they don’t like overt displays of emotion. They’re also forthright and their honesty can sometimes be misconstrued as rudeness. ‘Bisous’, the French tradition of kissing both cheeks, is reserved for people who know each other. Wait for a local to initiate this intimate greeting.