I hurried to find 9 things the French don’t do, just for fun and in less than 5 minutes… GOOOooo!
1) The French don’t have proms or yearbooks. So sad.
2) The French don’t shop at Target nor Walmart. They don’t even have Target or Walmart, how is that even remotely possible?
3) The French don’t say hello to strangers in the street. That’s one of the reasons why I like my life in Maryland.
4) The French don’t save in a 401(k). They still believe they will hit a jackpot called Social Security. I think the US government makes it far more obvious that it just ain’t gonna happen, baby!
5) The French don’t have cable boxes that can record their shows — also fondly referred to as DVRs over here. Now, that’s silly. Surely, that can’t be right. If it’s changed since last time I checked, I’m sure someone will tell me. Raise a hand!
6) The French don’t have “personal days”. They have enough vacation and RTTs… If you don’t know what a RTT is then, you’re missing out on the secret: The French only work 35 hours per week. If they happen to work over time, they get comp days called RTT.
7) The French don’t pick up after their dogs. Nope.
The French don’t buy fresh milk, only the brick kind (Parmalat style)
9) The French don’t play Lacrosse. Bet you they don’t know what it is. Though it sounds French, right? Don’t get fooled. Not French.
10) The French don’t rely much on credit card debt. Good for them.
It took me an extra 3 minutes. Oh wait, I found 10 things, that must be why I went overtime!!!
How did I do?
Tell me you learned something new about the French! 
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Who actually LIKED prom and yearbooks anyways?! I did not know that French do not pick up after their dogs…I wish I didn’t have to, it’s disgusting. I always knew I should have been born French
I think prom and yearbooks are fun as long as you aren’t looking at yours
Still, I wish I had some crazy stuff like that to share. Wait you reminded me of something… Will have to dig my archives.
What’s more disgusting? stepping in some other dog’s poop or picking up your own dog’s?
Still, gross I agree.
Wonderful! I loved this. Yes, I learned something about the French. There is always more to learn I’m wondering if this is something the French don’t do:
The French don’t put plants in their bidets.
I just moved to Moldova (I know this is not France) and have a visitors’ washroom downstairs that has a toilet, a bidet and a urinal (see photo on my latest post: http://wp.me/pWIVP-e3 ). I’m putting a plant in both the urinal and bidet
Just hope the men visitors won’t water them.
My gosh, that bathroom of yours is sick!!
Thanks for sharing
oh I miss France! things I discovered the French don’t do (when I lived there):
S’mores. my language teacher was aghast at the concept.
tip. no tipping. so miss that.
take long showers (maybe because of nuclear power?). long showers are such a luxury for me now.
worry about lung cancer. though I think it’s changing little by little.
make substitutions or special orders at restaurants.
I have many more!and you make me miss buying milk in France.
I have yet to do s’mores. Is there a how to somewhere?
Though I agree, the best showers across the boards are in the States. Not France, Denmark or the UK. Forget that.
Tipping is… extremely rare. I worked in a restaurant while in college, so I can only concur!
Oh you and your hot showers
You’re a great inspiration. I will have to come up with part II
All 10 were new to me. I need to get out more. PS – I love that you are sharing blogs again!!
Welcome back, dear. Glad you are still tuning in!
So glad you’re back. Interesting list. No Target and cable box? How’s that possible?
and I like # 10!
Thank you. It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling to be missed. It took me a while to get back, I can’t go back there anymore!
Target is made in USA. Oh wait, it’s really made in China… But the French have not bought on yet.
Glad to see you’re blogging again! I liked this post.
I need one too… Maybe some day!
Maryline, hi! Unbelievable, about #7!! So do they just leave it on the sidewalk on in someone’s yard? And that is awesome about #10, wish that i could say the same!
Yes, “it” stays on the street, and tax payers’ money is used to employ poop cleaning staff. Stupid really.
I have missed your posts so much.
So interesting, unique, international, a glimpse from the other side.
I love that.
So good to have you back.
Alexandra recently posted…Sunday Best – Love in the Chaos
Empress, I am honored to hear you say you missed my posts. I hope I won’t disappoint, I really want to stick with it!
See you soon!
I am glad to see you back! And I even knew that you were coming back since we chatted on Twitter!
I love the list. It shows just how different we are even though we tend to think otherwise at times. I’ll be honest… it sounds like a much simpler way of life. Less stress.
I’ve been in France for about 6 weeks now and I bet I can compile a list similar to yours. I thought about the whole Target and Walmart thing, too. I love the fact of being able to go to the store at all hours, right when I need something. Here, I have to go before 7 pm or wait until 10 am the next morning. Also, I can’t help but complain about the dog poop everywhere- it’s the owners responsibility, or at least should be. Among other things, I completely agree with your whole list. And to wrap this up, the concept of the french not saying hi on the street or even smiling took me a while to get used to. I smile at everyone and when I don’t, I feel rude. I hope I don’t go picking up this habit when I return to the states. It won’t make people very happy.
Issa Galvan recently posted…Loud- Fat- and Arrogant- French People and Their Stereotypes of Americans
The French way of life sounds good to me. Number 6 is not very attractive, but everything else sounds great. I especially like the work week, vacation and RTT.