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les moeurs (lay muhrs) noun fpl
1. morals 2. customs 3. manners, ways
c'est entré dans les moeurs = it's become normal practice
avoir des moeurs simples = to lead a simple life
Please help me welcome guest columnist David Shaby, (pictured below, right). He talks about a few of the differences he has noticed since arriving in France, on Saturday.
Hello, my name is David Shaby. For the last couple of days, I have been living in the Espinasse home. My good friend, Maxime Espinasse, invited me to stay with him on his family's beautiful vineyard. Throughout my stay in France, I have noticed two differences between French and American culture.
One of the major cultural differences is the type of commercials. During second night in France, Max and I were watching TV when a few peculiar commercials came on. In the first commercial, a man and women were laying down in a meadow cooing to each other. Being from Los Angeles, I was expecting some corny body spray commercial. To my surprise, the commercial was advertising cheese. In the second commercial I saw, there was a young child who appeared to be depressed. His mother called him over for lunch, the depressed child sadly walked over to the table until he saw his mother take a warm baguette out of the oven. His heart leaped with joy, and the boy was no longer sad. In France, instead of perfume, make-up, and deodorant, there are more food commercials trying to appeal to emotions rather to looking good.
The second major contrast I noticed between French and American culture is the food. Wednesday, I was taken to a French McDonalds where I noticed a major difference in the taste of fast food. I ordered two double cheeseburgers, expecting to taste what I would taste at an American McDonalds. At the French McDonalds, the Double Cheese Burger actually tasts like a double cheeseburger. Unlike in America, there was minimal grease, not very salty and the meat tasted a lot fresher. I believe that the McDonalds in France is overall healthier because the animals in France are more active and better treated than in America.
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David,
Good job on your descriptions, I just started learning French and look forward to reading this blog everytime I recieve and email. Your decription woke my curiosity and is now logged in my mind so when I do visit France I will have to take the “Mc Do” burger and pay attention to the commercials… anyway travel is good for the soul and I hope you have a great time and return home safely!! Live, Laugh and be happy!
David,
Don’t know if you are still following this page. Most of the comments seem like what grandparents would say to a 5 year old. A little too saccharine for me. Your comments were OK. Original and honest. Those who advised you to go and try some real French food are on target. Try some stuff you can’t get at home: cassoulet, coq au vin, un-pasteurized cheese (soft cheese!), steak tartare, or some other regional specialties. Seriously, try the cheese!
David, how did you meet Max? And do you speak French? Perfecting it will help you get to know the French people better, and add depth to your visit. Contrary to what some say, the French are not snobbish about their language, and will appreciate every effort you make to speak with them.
You probably know that Max did a sort of internship in cooking a few months ago – on his vacation, yet! Ask him to fix for you a couple of the dishes he learned to prepare.
I hope you will have many interesting experiences durying your stay, and look forward to hearing more about them if you are inclined to share further comments.
Yes, David, you have hit upon some of the things that make France difficult to leave! When my husband and I traveled there, we thought, “These people have their priorities straight! Family and enjoyment of life are paramount, and food is a huge part of that.” It may be difficult to return to American consumerism and the ultra-achievement orientation, David, but you can make a difference in the U.S. when you return, by the way you live your life.
Am a little late posting, just read 8/3..really enjoyed..another thing he probably noticed on the TV is the absence of those awful pharmaceutical ads we have here..an absolute litany of stuff to take for every imaginable condition..it is not allowed to advertize prescription or OTC meds in the civilized world…only in America..European TV ads a breath of fresh air!! Could David write more about the differences…so nice to see comparisons from a fresh, young perspective.
David –
Your observation about food being a major preoccupation in France is affirmation of a quote by Jean Anouilh who said, “Everything ends this way in France. Weddings, christenings, duels, burials, swindlings, affairs of state – everything is a pretext for a good dinner.” Enjoy your stay, keep on observing, and write down those observations. You will not only remember those observations the rest of your life, but you will use them any time you are called upon to write or speak. Buy several gifts appropriate for women and girls and tuck them away for whenever you need a gift. “A gift for me from France? How sweet!”
Good job on your descriptions, I just started learning French and look forward to reading this blog everytime I recieve and email.