👀🎁👀www.ouiinfrance.com/francophile-gift-ideas/ The Oui In France Holiday Gift Guide for Francophiles is now live on the blog! I've curated a shopping guide of 25 items I absolutely love. They're either made in France or inspired by France in some way. Most of them I own myself or have tried, so rest assured you're getting quality gift picks. Many are also items from small businesses, so I'd love it if you took a look. Merci!
Let's be honnest America is boring country of endless suburbia, parking lots commercial area with no walkable downtown, no history no culture no flavor, the same from north to south and eats to west, mac Donald, Burger King , pizza hut, taco bell and other fast foods is all america has to offer, there is no beauty in america, it is all commercial, even in the people who are either obese or overweight the eyes can't find some relief.
You mentioned that you have a portable AC unit. Is that a free standing unit as opposed to a window AC unit? Just trying to determine my options before I move.
Having been in France over a decade myself, I miss people with a genuine capacity for enthusiasm. Sometimes a little enthusiam, even in the face of a crappy situation, can make the crappy situation more tolerable. That said, I prefer my life in France.
As a french person I agree. I love living in France and I feel very grateful for all its qualities. But for sure, there is sometimes a lack of positivism.
As a Frenchman, the part about ice in the drinks made me laugh : When I was in the states I had to always ask for my drinks without ice. I hated the quantity of ice they put in. My teeth did not stand the cold and once the ice was melted, the drink tasted like water. 🙂 Cultural differences and acquired taste during childhood...
Lol, I was on a British Airways flight Istanbul to Heathrow. The flight attendant heard my American accent and during drink service said, "I see you are American. Would you like extra ice in your drink?" I said, "Oh yes, please." They gave me 3 little cubes! The Brit next to me only got 1 cube. 🤦🤣🤣🤣🤣We have HUGE cup sizes because we fill 3/4 of the cup with ice before putting the Coke. You are correct, we must drink it fast before it gets watery.
I was born and raised in France. I met and happily married an American in Belgium and have been in the USA since 1987. I have been very happy in both countries. However, I really think that you have to be born American to love Oreo cookies and root beer😀 Being serious now, I totally agree with you on all your points and would miss them all should I go to live in France again. I love the respectful way you talk about both countries. You are an inspiration to me and hope to many viewers.👏
Please tell me you don't mean having those two things together....root beer is truly disgusting...maybe you would like the peanut butter Oreos...or the mint ones....
Few bits from a French : - some of the « can do » attitude is indeed something we miss in our culture. The French attitude is OK as long as it’s a « let’s think it through thoroughly before » and not a systematic « no can do ». I personally think that a balanced mix of those spirits would be the best approach ; - the screen windows and AC are just something that we didn’t really need this far. France is particularly one of the countries where weather conditions have been very temperate and rarely went into extreme heat, rain or cold. Same goes with wild life, bugs included, that sure are always annoying, but are very rarely life-threatening. That said, with climate change repercussions needs might change… - the ice in the cup thing is partly due to the fact that we didn’t really had a taste for ice cold drinks in the first place. But also the main difference is that we don’t do the free refill thing like in America. So in this context it’s hard for us to pay for a drink made mainly of ice cubes. Talking about that, I suppose that the dilution from ice cubes is taken into account while setting the dosage of syrup in soda machines, and so American soda will be dosed stronger than in France; - and finally about the parking spaces for cars : French cars used to be even smaller than what they are now. Lots of parking places were designed at a time where people almost all had really tiny cars (from an American perspective). Nowadays, it’s all SUVs and the size of the average car has augmented quite a lot, but parking spaces are still made like they were in the 70’s. At the time, it was plenty of space, but not anymore.
Screen windows! Drove me nuts every time we rented a vacation home in France. Considering how many diseases (like Lyme) are now transmitted by mosquitoes and spiders, it is unforgivable. French expat in the US here. Number 3# can-do attitude. The US are changing fast and not for the better. I so much loved business attitudes when I arrived 30+ years ago, it is deteriorating fast. Still better however than in France... COSTCO and WHOLE FOODS are the ones I would miss. Can return anything anytime, no questions asked, try that in France! ICE: it kills your taste buds, that is why the French do not drink icy beverages. In the US, where most of the food taste like cardboard it does not matter (I was raised on Haute French Cuisine and I suffer in the US, especially since I moved out of California) For me, I miss having interesting conversations in French. Americans do not speak French for most, not like in France where so many speak English. I am considering leaving the US as I do not recognize this country anymore. All the qualities I appreciated so much are disappearing. The destruction of Cali transformed millions of us into nomads looking from one State to another for the next El Dorado. However, we are getting too old to keep moving again and again. Returning to France will not happen as I am shocked by France in 2023, but may be a neighbouring country.... safer, calmer, more prosperous.... At the end of life, on needs to get back to their roots. It's a calling. You are making great videos, with good thoughts, and you also look more and more beautiful with time. France seems to suit you.
As a French myself, i'm apreciating seeing someone else's opinion on my country. It helps me see it in a different perspective. I will move to Japan starting from february next year for an indefinite amount of time so it's nice to see how someone else sees life in my country as it helps me getting a feel of what kinds of troubles i could expect living in a different culture !
I actually found a lot of similarities between France and Japan when I lived there. Carlos Ghosn told me it is because both cultures are very specific. I would live in either country again.
@@thehapagirl92 hi, for now it has been pretty great. It helps that i speak the language already. I live in a sharehouse so i didn't have too many landlord Issues
Great insight, as usual, Diane. I would like to point out that some of the things you miss are based upon living in a different geographic area, not a different country. I grew up on Long Island, NY and moved to the Midwest after high school. I can tell you that foods like great (or even tolerable) pizza, authentic bagels, good bread, Mallomar cookies (which aren't distributed in the Midwest), and fresh and relatively inexpensive seafood are as foreign here as the food you miss. Your comment about Target is funny to me because the first job I had out of college was at Target and that's what got me to Minneapolis, which is Target's headquarters. However, for the entire 10 years I worked there, my parents never shopped there because Target didn't open stores on the East Coast for many years. None of my relatives had even heard of Target. Although Minnesota, is the "Land of 10,000 lakes," there is nothing that can substitute for a walk on the beach while waves are hitting the shore. I love the lakes, but dearly miss the ocean. So this too is a malady of not living on any coast. However, other items on your list I can relate to, not as an ex-pat, but as a traveler: ice in drinks for me is HUGE, A/C was missed on an abnormally warm visit to Switzerland. I was surprised about your comment concerning window screens because my wife and I have always been amazed at the lack of bugs, especially mosquitoes, in Europe. Even at night with the lights on, it always seemed magical to have the windows open. So apparently, there ARE bugs in Europe! Finally, your last item concerning friends and family being missed is another thing I can relate to. Yes, it's a much longer trip from France to New Jersey (or Florida) than from Minneapolis to New York, but still it's something that I cannot do frequently. This has to do with distance, and I'm sure is an issue for anyone who does not live within close driving distance of where they grew up. I'm not one who ever wanted to move back to New York (despite what I miss) because for me, the positives of my life in Minnesota outweigh what I miss from New York. However, being aware of the things that are different does make you appreciate both what you have and what you miss.
Diane, you are absolutely right about the "you can" mindset : it's one of the things I appreciate most in American people. As a french woman who lived many years abroad (mostly in Germany and the UK), I do not miss much in France. I stay here because I have no other choice. When watching American ladies on RU-vid finding treasures at Goodwill, doing great DIY with enthousiasm, I envy you. We have no Goodwill and the antique markets are super expensive. Thanks to nice and gifted American ladies, I learned to upholster a sofa and armchairs, to paint furniture and other great stuff. In France, this kind of videos are rare and when you find some, they are horrible !
If you had to deal with the heat & humidity we do in America you would definitely get AC or you’d die of a heat stroke! It’s considered elderly abuse for them to not have AC here & many die every year for lack of it.
On one return trip to the states from France a woman next to me in line said that the first thing she was going to get when she returned the the US was Mexican food. I literally almost burst into tears because I grew up in a Mexican family and it is my favorite food!!
I agree with you on the lack of screens on windows, but I think that is a European standard. I saw this in Ireland and Poland so it must be continent wide. This summer I was eaten alive by mosquitos. I did have screens put in on the top floor, it did make a difference. Oh, and on the topic of spiders. The area I live have these huge spiders that manage to come in my home and when i try to catch them but they are like Speedy Gonzales.
I lived in Paris for almost a decade and loved it, but then I’ve lived in many countries on several continents so I’m accustomed to adapting. I loved your video and your emphasis on the changing perspectives that living outside one’s own country requires. I now live in the Southern Philippines, largely because work brought me here years ago and I found myself enjoying the people, the culture and learning to live in and to enjoy a distinctly non-Western civilization. That said, I do miss France, most particularly l’art de vivre and the French language.
I learned French on my own from a dictionary in Africa. If you look "miss" up in the dictionary, it says "manquer." I said once "Je manque la Zaire." I got a strange response. I spoke French reasonably well so it didn't occur to anyone that I didn't know what I was saying. It was probably years later when I figured it out. I also love New Jersey. If you move to Virginia, you miss NJ pizza.
I feel you on the lack of screens, lol! I'm in the southern part of France, and my husband and I found screens similar to what you were speaking of, but on Amazon, made by a French company. They're split down the middle, and are held shut by a long strip of magnets. We put them on all the windows and the doors. It's the first year we were able to have the windows open all the time without feeling like pincushions. I enjoy your content, btw- very balanced POV. 🙂
We've installed screens coupled with electric blinds so we don't have to reach out for the shutters. Also regarding AC we opted for fans (big ones on the ceiling. I believe these kind of changes are a must for the upcoming climate changes where you need to sleep with open windows without feeding the next generation of moskitoes. Regarding the "tu me manques" vs "I miss you", I find your exposé really touching. This is a great tribute to our language. Finally, I concurr with you that what is missing in our country is the positivity and the can-do attitude that you guys are briging. I hope that some heathy intake of US immigrant will change the national mood a bit. Because we tend to be complacent in our gloomy mood and wait for big daddy state to solve our own personal shortcoming. Great non nonsense video as often with a touching streak of "mal du pays".
Seriously, you hit EVERY point for me too. Living in the Netherlands for 5 years, I completely agree with everything you mentioned. No one here understands the screened windows it’s a joke using magnets that don’t hold the screens. And yes my grandparents had a home in Ocean Gate and I remember the shooore. But I I live here now and this is my home.
You’re so sweet and genuine, Diane. I just love to hear your perspective on things. My husband is French living here in the US so I’ve seen him go through all the same things you have over our years together. Someday soon we will move to France and then I’ll be the one in his shoes, lol. I’m really excited fir the new experience, though!
I think that the larger Monoprix stores in Paris can almost compare with Target stores. When translating "I miss you" I convert it to "it's you I miss" in English to make easier to translate to French.
I'm also American, from California, and I moved here in 2009. 15 years now, sheesh. I agree with nearly everything you said, in particular the not being homesick. You didn't mention if you're going after French citizenship... I am. I'm maybe 35 years older than you and starting my retirement. One huge thing you didn't mention is the French healthcare system. It has literally saved my life twice, for little to no cost, for conditions that would have bankrupted me twice if I'd been in the US. Anyway, great video and all the best to you! BTW I'm also Tom😂
Hi Tom (great name!), I've talked about citizenship in other videos, check out this one where I specifically answer that question: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4Ky7EfrOvt8.html Glad you enjoyed the video and a very happy New Year to you and yours!
Well A/C ... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UL7WrrVMFTk.html at 8:00 "With 329 mill people US consumes more energy for cooling than the rest of the world combined" ... so yes, A/C is comfort, but the cost is staggering ... and the cost on environment if 10 billion people would ask for the same comfort would be madness. Maybe getting used to unrestrained comfort like A/C, big cars and all, just because we can, is questionable ?
Whole Foods (better known around here as Whole Paycheck), Trader Joe's, and Sprouts are rather pricey. Fortunately, we have a local small chain here that is similar in what it offers, but at much more reasonable prices.
Another great vlog. Love the way you're so open and balanced. While I never lived in France, I've spent a lot of time there. I definitely miss the variety of cultural foods in France, especially outside of Paris. I'm from rural Virginia and surprisingly, old fashioned Virginia food is very similar to rural French food. BTW, I lived in somerset County NJ for 2 years (work assignment where I commuted from VA to NJ weekly). Loved it.
I agree with you on the bugs. I have a solution, an electronic bug zapper I found on Amazon. True the sound of zapping the bugs can wake me up, but I’d rather have that than 2 dozen bug bites on my body! Even though I like Target, I like Auchan just as much. When I go to London, I stop by Whole Foods there and take back a few items that I can’t find in France, but most of what I need is available in France. Since I’m splitting my time between the U.S. and a France at the moment, I take advantage of what’s available where I’m at, though I think I miss more things from France when I’m in the U.S. rather than vice versa.
I grew up in the Netherlands, but have live in the US for 40 years now. Everytime I go "home" I am shocked how few windows have bug screens. There are LOTS of bugs in a let place like the Netherlands. With their super advanced triple pane windows with muli-open / tilt feature.... you'd think they could figure out how to integrate bug screens. The Dutch are slowly getting more split system A/C units now that summer heat has become more and more severe. They tend to have wall to wall glass in houses with relatively small opening sections. A large percentage of houses also have drop down awnings to help reduce intensity of sunlight coming into homes and that helps a lot. I wonder how much US A/C usage could be reduced is we had awnings everywhere to block sunlight during the most intense times of the day in summers. We used to live within a few miles of the Dutch coast and I missed going there regularly. We now live close by both lake Erie and also lake Ontario is not far away. Even though each is the size of a sea, it just isn't the same a tidal salt water beaches. I still miss that. Regarding New Jersey, a few years back we took a family vacation to Southern Jersey. Oh my goodness what a lovely place. Before I'd only seen the industrial mash lands opposite Manhattan. That is not attractive. Once you get south of that, it's absolutely loverly. Atlantic city however is still sadly not much to look at, other than the boardwalk, the reset of the coast is just idyllic and the Pine Forests were also loverly to explore.
I couldn’t agree more with you. You really hit the nail right on the head. I always enjoy watching you talking about your experiences in France. I did the opposite of what you did, I left France to be with my ex in the US. At the risk of sounding superficial i will admit that the things i miss the most about France are dairy products and pastries. I am very happily living in the States but like you there are a few things i miss. Thanks
Diane, you and I have so much in common! I'm from Canada and have been living in France since 2009. I miss many similar types of things even though I'm super happy and settled here. Great video!
@@OuiInFrance I was born in Vancouver BC and lived there for most of my adult life! I'm now in Auvergne but have my in-laws in Mauléon (79) and Mortagne-sur-Sèvre (85) which is close to you, I think! 😊
@@kimc555 I'm also from Vancouver! Ah, where to start? Some of it might be city-countryside differences because I'm in a tiny village now, but in general: - the "can do" attitude (in France, you're often met with "ce n'est pas possible" and it's up to you to convince them that it IS possible! 😊) - simplicity in paperwork - some organic or international grocery stores with amazing selection (the biocoops here differ, but can be really expensive and not always have great selection) - higher take-home pay - cheaper gas and electricity - access to international cuisine (I have to drive 180 km return to get mediocre sushi, for example!) - being 3 blocks from the beach (Kits and Jericho, respectively!) I now am a 3-hour drive to the nearest coast - Que pasa tortilla chips with excellent fresh salsa (Vancouver-specific!) I agree with the parking lots being really cramped, but have gotten used to them. All that being said, some of the amazing things in France are: - organic bread and pasta made in my village from ancient grains grown and harvested in my village! - excellent local and organic produce and products - sense of community in the French countryside - affordable housing - excellent health and dental coverage - access to so much in the way of professional development, training, courses (you earn points every month you work that you can use as you please) - 5 weeks paid holidays - so many cultural activities, thanks in most part to much governmental support - 35-hour work week
Lived in Caen in 1986/87 and 1989/90. You're spot-on about tech. On the other hand, we really couldn't conceive of the notion of instant cheap communication. One simply called family once a month, wrote many letters, and tried not to panic about uncertainty. France had Minitel (ask an older person about it), but that was useless for calling the US.
Hello from Gensac. I also miss Target-and Micheal’s! My mom just left after a 5 week visit and she said if she didn’t have such good friends where she lives, she would move in with us. She loves the life here. That said, family is the biggest miss for me.
Pas de chance vraiment d'avoir été mordu par des araignées. Déjà parce que en France elles sont plutôt discrètes et heureusement inoffensives, mais surtout parce que en général il est très très rare de se faire mordre. Une araignée ne le fera sur l'homme qu'en ultime recours, parce qu'elle n'a plus d'autre choix. J'ai 52 ans, j'habite en ville mais je viens de la campagne et je n'ai JAMAIS été mordu 😮
I moved to Japan from Philly in 2006. I can really relate to this list. Especially Pizza, The Jersey Shire and Grocery stores. Everything else you mentioned but those three really stand out. I love Sapporo but I go to Jersey and eat NY style pizza every change I get. ❤
ah, from South Jersey and now live in Mississippi - I always loved the fact that there were no screens in France but then I haven't stayed there for longer than a month at a time with friends in Riom, so there is that. The heat in Mississippi is deadly (one day of rain since June and still it is moist here) and even with family in Florida - it is much worse here. I so miss NJ it hurts my heart sometimes - the beach, the city, the rural farms, and horseback riding all within an hour's drive - so I get it. Even in NJ, the moisture is nothing like here and there are no wolf spiders like here - so I get the spider thing too. As you spoke, I remember my time in the Philippines - so beautiful but again, lots of different bugs and things to get used to so each place has its unique fun vibe. We spoke of moving to France several times so that's why I came to your channel initially - so thank you for your wonderful content. The older I get, the less I think I will ever truly move but I have to say my time in France has always felt like going home too - so thank you for bringing a bit of my second home to me.
On point! Je vais rentrer en France, mon pays natal, apres 20 ans d'expatriation aux USA, et je suis convaincue que certaines choses vont me manquer. Surtout la "can do" attitude et les Targets.
Diane, You should ask for motor arms for your volets battants. Once installed, you can have it opened/closed without touching the screen thanks to a remote control so that the screen in your bedroom can remain sealed. Price starts from around 200€ for a set. Also use set in screens (featuring a screen roller and aluminium sides for the screen to slide in) and not DIY screens to ensure longevity and efficiency.... 🎁🎄
You should go somewhere where the main language is Spanish like Mexico. People in Mexico and the language of Spanish Expresses a lot of beauty, romance, enjoyment of food and life. Once I've been in Mexico for about two weeks I start dreaming in Spanish, and my heart bursts with joy. I feel excitement and joy as we land, and I feel at peace and harmony in the country because of its people and the language. I cannot recommend it enough. And yes, the food is out of this world. Most places you will stay as a visitor will have air conditioning, dishwashers and all of the regular American amenities. In more populous cities are natural food stores. In the more remote places there are cool seasons which are great for visiting such as in the 70s Fahrenheit.
Thanks for a great video! I have lived in France for nearly 8 years (first Lorraine, and now the coast of Brittany), and I agree with everything on your list, with the exceptions of ice and A/C. I especially appreciated your comments at the end stating that missing things from the US doesn't mean I need to move back or that I love my life here less.
I wish I missed where I am from but I don’t . I love living in Austin Texas . I chose to live here and moving abroad has its repercussions. I don’t live abroad anymore. My friends live abroad . This is home I yearned to belong . It’s been almost 22 years living in Texas and I’m fine .WhatsApp and FaceTime took away my desire to visit my country and friends . I can talk to them anytime of the day without having to travel 30 hours by plane and its layovers . I’m ok with that too .
Je comprends votre nostalgie, c'est tout à fait normal, que ce soit le pays, la famille, les amis, vous êtes comme tout le monde, ils vous manquent. Par contre, les regrets pour la bouffe des USA....... même à la sauce mexicaine....... là, je ne vous comprends pas bien, parce que je suis français, donc chauvin, surtout sur ce point, mais surtout parce que d'après vos vidéos, vous êtes tellement devenue française dans l'âme !
My family lives in France but I live in the US since 1971. I decided to spend the rest of my life here because the conveniences of every facet of your life exist here in the US. US is the best place in the world for me as someone who traveled the world having worked for a major airline.
It is good to live in the US but for health care it is expensive in the EU the health care is very good or better than in the US but it is not so expensive
@@daylightdaylight6612 the good and the bad of both sides but you choose what's more important to you. Yes, healthcare is more expensive but the quality is excellent and no long waiting to see a doctor or having an operation. World leaders and super wealthy people come to the US for their major healthcare, that speaks for itself.
@@daylightdaylight6612 i needed a shoulder operation and it took one week because i had to go to my Primary Physician to get a health clearance to go through the operation. My friend in the UK however waited 3 months for the same operation. Similar story in Canada and France where I have relatives. You pay for what you get is true.
I agree. We pay more in the US for Healthcare but do not have long waits if surgery is needed etc. I have a friend in Scotland that has some womans health concerns and fibromyalgia. She has been waiting a year to see a Gyn specialist and Pain management. Her mother died of breast cancer but she said woman cannot get first mammogram until 50. She is only 39.
@@elizabeth78269recently I was in the US I went to the family doctor and I paid 404 dollar without tax for blood presure check up, to take temperature and listening to my lungs and 350 dollar without tax for a pcr test. In my country I pay for a simple doctors visit 30 Euro and a pcr test is NOT costing 350 dollars. If we go by instance to an oncologist or an other specialist doctor we pay more. Please do not say " you got what you pay" because our health care is also excellent in the EU. In the US health care is bussines in the EU health care is for curing people.
@@OuiInFrance But, similar to what you say, I’ve been to other places with different things that they offer and I appreciate them. There are so many wonderful things to experience in other places.
Actually, Chi... nah, better not start that argument here. :) Northeast style pizza has its charms, but living in the Pacific Northwest, I find that I miss Detroit-style (Jet's, NOT Little Caesar's) more than any other...
I remember my trip to Paris in late june. It was a quick trip and I wanted to do the tourist thing and get on the tour bus. There were signs on it that said "air conditioned". As an American I can attest to the fact that if a bus in France says "air conditioned", it is an outright lie. The only way it will be air conditioned is if there are at least two windows opened and there is a breeze blowing through the bus. Ou la la. C'est si bon.
That reminds me of a joke I heard years ago. Person gets into a car or cab and asks, "Do you have air conditioning?" "Yes, we do! 360!" "Where is it?" "It's right here. Three windows down driving 60 miles an hour!"
Before WWII pizza could only be found in Italy around Napoli -- it was the American GI's who caused pizza to spread around Italy as the modern version of pizza is basically an American Italian creation re-introduced into Italy (and the rest of the world).
That is something that just burns me up about them, those windows suck royal even though you can get screens for them, there is a company in Canada which will make screens to measurements you give them. They have bugs, mice and people who toss cigarettes to open windows for the fun of it. What burns me up about them is they don't really like change and they need to get into the 21st century on many things....even though bug screens have been around for eons! Yeah, I agree about Target and stores like it, that I would miss terribly. ICE, yeah, about that, when I was living in Paris in the late 80's I was actually told "that's an American thing"....just like air-conditioning, "why must you Americans have air-conditioning"...I mean I thought that sentiment was pretty much over the idea of NOT having a/c when they suffered a horrible heatwave way back and many people died, but like I said they are slow to accept new things....especially if it's American inspired..I'm sure they have changed in some other ways but....
I drove from Rhode Island to Washington D.C. a few years ago. As we drove through NYC into New Jersey, I thought it was terrible! But as we drove further south, I understood why it's called The Garden State: it was stunning. My husband's family is from the east in France and they tend to shop at smaller markets and places where they are known: so they don't have any problems with returns, because they are friends. (I guess it helps that it's a relatively small town that everyone knows each other. I did have a shopkeeper in Paris tell me about their return policy... I stopped her half-way through: "It's a gift for my niece in the U.S. If she doesn't like it, she's not coming here to return it, so I think we'll be okay. 😀 Thank you. Another great vlog!
The drive on I95 leaving NYC through north Jersey is terrible, the pits (think the Soprano's intro), but go a few miles off that turnpike and there are beautiful areas and extremely affluent towns (3rd most affluent state in the country). I know because I live here.
I think you always do a good job in your videos with balance. You talk about the things, that in this case, you miss but you don't neglect saying that it's just part of living someplace else. it doesn't mean that you don't love the place that you're living as well. And even if we stay in the United States there are things we miss. I often wish I lived abroad and when I visit I take advantage of those things. We lived in New York for 10 years and I agree with you, best pizza and I would add Chinese. 😃
Thank you! The Chinese food is top notch, totally agree. The Korean food in Ft. Lee, NJ is also fantastic. I was there with a friend last year and it was even better than I'd remembered.
Interesting to hear anyone misses the Mexican food in NYC. I was raised in southern california and live in NYC now. Almost every single ex Californian i know here agrees with me: NYC does food SO WELL, it does Latin american food so well...except mexican. 😅 However it is better than ANYTHING in the UK or EU that ive found
I visited Loire Valley for 2 days this June and of course loved it. What kind of work do you do? Is Loire Valley very humid? The accommodation I stayed in in Vouvray was so damp, all the bed sheets felt damp. I do wonder if it’s just my room bc it was like a cave literally built into big hole in the rocks of a hillside.
i understand for mexico that you won't find in france a good mexican restaurant cause mexico is so far away from france but... for pizza i already taste the pizza from New york and there's good but clearly "for me" this isn't that special maybe you live in the north france but the more you come near italy the more you will have real pizza with real pizzaiollo and not just a random who want to run a restaurant i got that this is your feeling and i understand that old memory make NY pizza a good thing but i don't know doesn't seems fair to me ^^
There are window screens in France, but they aren't super popular. Maybe because many of the buildings are so old. In some locations in France the bugs can be bad enough for screens, but not everywhere, as France in general is fairly far north. I lived in a house in France with roll shutters / storm shutters, rather than the more common traditional hinged shutters. I stayed in France for 5 years and then returned to the US. During my stay in France I'd return to the US for a visit about every 3 months, for a 1 week stay in the US to visit family and friends.
Hi Diane. You are so right about the Jersey Shore. I live in Cape May NJ and can walk to the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay for the most spectacular sunsets ever. And don’t forget about the incredible variety of produce especially the beautiful “Jersey Tomatoes” and Hamilton Blueberries that are prolific around here. Please take care and hope to see you soon. Joe and Gigi retired in Cape May.
Another great video!! I live in central Florida and there are big spiders here called the wolf spider. They tend to run away quickly when people come around.
I'm a Brit living in France (for nearly 20 years) and can definitely identify with some of the things you say. Homesickness always strikes around the period leading up to xmas, so that might be what you are feeling too. The shopping is a big bugbear for me. There is nothing like a M&S equivalent (Marks & Spencer) which I miss a lot. Also my impression is that the middle section of the market is missing. There are lots of cheap 'discount' type places and lots of expensive upper market shops but the quality middle section isn't there. Before Brexit I used to buy lots of my craft supplies from the UK. That is of course no longer possible now so I buy my stuff in France but the selection is often not as good and is more expensive. One of the things that was the hardest to get used to was no takeaways. Being a Brit, we like our fish and chips and curries. I live in rural France so there is even less likelihood of finding a takeaway and even if you do, they are not great. I don't think I have ever had a decent pizza here. There are loads of things to love about France and the landscapes and architecture (not to mention the quiet roads) are amazing). The bakeries are also a huge highpoint of this place although sadly there are fewer of them nowadays.
HI there! I'm actually pretty fortunate that I haven't had too many issues with homesickness over the years. I try to get back to the US for either Thanksgiving or Christmas and visit as often as I can so that helps. ;-) Totally understand about the lack of takeout. In recent years, it's become more popular in my area but options are still very limited on apps like UberEats if you don't want fast food.
That's SOOOOO true about craft supplies in France!! Also, all those DIY RU-vids are invariably in English, usually American. It's just not a thing here.
Cooking Mexican for yourself is an option. Ditto with pizza. I think the friends and family is the only thing I would feel. I do know the stores you mentioned, I would not miss them, especially Whole Paycheck, although Sprouts is not unbearable. The can-do attitude might be something I would miss, and I find whining to be quite annoying. However, I would like to experience a society in which solidarity is a value. I have seen wealthy people here abandon family, even their mother.
I spent most of my life in NJ but I married a MInnesota girl and moved to MN in 2004. I do miss NJ, but many of those I was closest too moved out of NJ in the last 19 years. So, even if one visits NJ, there aren't that many people to visit. I do miss the NJ shore, and I miss the area near the Delaware Water Gap. I miss NJ birding which is spectacular when compared to Minnesota birding.
For me I prefer Monoprix over target and appreciate a drink not overwhelmed by ice watering it down, although I drank mostly Sancerre when in Paris in June. I did however appreciate the air conditioning in the hotel since my Mom did not like the French windows open most of the time. I do however prefer the produce in France. I find it fresher and tastier. 😊
I am moving to france from the east coast of Canada in december to be with my girlfriend of two years and watching these videos are definitely good to get me preprared - I definitely feel you on the mexican food
Yeah, I didn't know about the Mexican Food. Or the pizza. Yikes. We are looking at several European countries for retirement. With Francem I just thought about the fact that French is my favorite cuisine. But I would miss good Mexican food and pizza. :)
Oh ! Oh ! It's quite strange to compare "Super TARGET" with "Les Grandes Surfaces Hypermarché" in France ! "Les Grandes Surfaces Hypermarché" exited since those years of 1970 ! "Super TARGET" began in Florida only in the end of 2000's ! "Walmart Supercenter" opened first in Florida before "Super TARGET" ! Both France and Florida are similar !
I live in Thailand, and the only thing I miss here is Trader Joes. I would be so happy to shop regularly at French markets, something I did recently with my friend when I was in Marseille. US markets are trash compared to French. A good French market is literally a spiritual experience the food is so fresh and wonderful. Many items are not regularly even seen in the US. Don't miss any of the other things either when I'm in France.
French complains a lot is Absolutely 100% TRUE ! But ! But ! But ! Ne pas RÂLER ! Ce n'est pas FRANÇAIS ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 !!!!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 !!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 !!!!!!!!!
#1 I may believe that pizza is not as good in France as in NY (I still remember an awful pizza parlor in Firenze, to give some context). But good Mexican food in the big apple ?? It's hard to find true, good Mexican food in TX. Hard to believe that yankees easily have it.
I appreciate and agree with most of what you share regarding France but my transplanted Mexican and Italian friends vehemently disagree with your statement that NY has the best pizza and Mexican food in the world.
Not a fan of Mexican food, but, love pizza. No matter where I go I find pizza. Love pizza. When I lived in Germany found a few pizza places that were good. In Europe they don't have screened windows. There is no central air conditioning in Europe. In Europe it doesn't get that hot or cold. Not a beach person. In Germany drinks were not served with ice either. Only on the American Military Bases. I dislike parking garages.
You’re from NJ! Ooo Somerset County! Me too. Ill say hello to Ocean Grove for you. Love France but never saw a large spider. Ill consider myself warned. But also i don’t travel in the summer.
I have always lived in the states and am here, now. So this will sound lame. But it is a big country and I come drone the New Mexico/Colorado line near the 4 Corners and studied and worked in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. When I married later in life and moved to the South, there are many things I miss and things my husband would have been better if he experienced them. The Luminarias and Farollitos of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Real desert Mexican food (Mexico is also large and they have different regional foods. Most of the good Mexican I can get East of the Mississippi is Coastal Mexican). The sweet voices and big smiles of the south is sometimes creepy and sarcasm (dry humor is my favorite) is considered rude in the south. After husband passed, I went home again, to discover it had changed with everything else in time. What I miss are the memories, though there are a few restaurants in Albuquerque that have been run by the same families and are gold! I didn’t stay. Looking at Western Europe and think it may suit me. Except for Mexican food. If I have a real craving, I will have to stand up and cook it myself. With the exception of tamales. I am always sorry, halfway through the process, that I thought it was a good idea. But I make a mean tamale. Shutting hip now but was trying to say that I relate.
LOL - I miss Trader Joe’s too! but I live near Savannah ga - shopping here in general is horrible - just got a Costco (still a 50 Minute drive) last year. I agree with the can do attitude - though I think it has waned the past 15 years. Definitely noticed a lack of that when I lived in Dresden for a summer in college.
I hear you... I live in the States since 1983. I am from New Caledonia...What I miss most is my family and a good French baguette....The rest, I can do without. Hahaha.... With technology nowadays, I can talk to my family but having good French food is another story. I learned how to make my own "Sirop de Menthe" as I used to bring back 6-10 bottles of Sirop Teisseire in my luggage after each trip home. My luggage was, literally, another French pantry.....
I understand because (as a French guy) I lived just 6 months in the US and still, there are these things that I miss a lot. I am happy that I lived these things to the fullest when I was there. 1) the climate with hot summer and numerous thunderstorms 2) the music . Very common to hear house music, deep , soulful.. which are like unknown in France 3) laid back and nice people with very open people liké when I had an accident I was invited after my recovery by a witness lady at a dinner at her place with some friends of hers while I never knew this lady before 4) the Buick cars from the 90s that are still parked in some areas of the city I was 5) African american and latino people who are really part of the us people and try not to exclude themselves with another religion from the other mainstream culture (I am thinking of the difference with muslim magrebian people in France who very difficultly want to mingle with the French people). By the way Diane, what's your opinion about this last topic though Cholet is pretty small and diverse cultures might be not so frequent. Thanks for your videos!
as a french person visiting Canada I found customer service; in particular in bar/restaurants incredibly uncomfortable; people were obnoxiously cheerful and I frankly hated this. Don't know if it's related to the tip culture or someting larger but I know other french people have the same feeling so that's a pretty strong cultural difference here. I have to say that people in general being more cheerful was perceived a lot better (I actually liked it) than people working in services. Maybe I felt they had a pressure to do so.
I used to live on the fifth floor of a five storey apartment building in Mulhouse. Cinder block construction. It was fine during the day, but the heat would rise at night. You can't seal the apartment up. It's miserable. You can't turn on the AC. Because there is no AC. You can't open up the apartment at night to let the hot air out. Not unless you want to turn off the TV and all the lights. You'll get more bugs than you ever thought possible. Why they don't put screens on their windows, I'll never understand.
Like every country everywhere in the world, France has everything you need except: it ain’t really home. Then when you go home after a few years you realize it’s not the same place you left either.
Being in Gabon, for sure, there are alot of conviences I miss….one major issue I still yet to overcome is getting frustrated with the operating hours in Gabon, everything closes sooooooo dang early…its annoying
I’ve lived in Texas for the past 13 years, and I would also like to be able to go to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s (without having to drive for more than an hour)😂
I really anderstand,I a French living in the US for now 50 yearsWen i say home , i me an France. And i still do not like a lot ice in my drink, married to an américain but still french in m'y heart
Greetings from a Morris County native! (Now living in Seattle.) Two things I miss from NJ that we don't have where I live now: The older architecture (particularly old stone houses) and the forested, hilly areas in the NW part of the state. I haven't been to France yet, unfortunately, but the northern and northwest parts of the country have always seemed particularly beautiful and "comfortable"-feeling to me. I had a French teacher many years ago who spoke about how much she loved Brittany and, pausing to figure out how to phrase something in English, said, "I love the old stones." I felt like the only person in the room who understood what she meant.
Lived most of my life in NYC, live in Seattle now (from here). Seattle is horrible, but it's odd you miss "forested hills" when there's a shore, several islands, and a whole peninsula to the west, and nothing but hilly (and mountainous) forests to the east. Unless you're referring to deciduous forests, which I'd understand (lived upstate NY for a bit). About the only good thing about Seattle is all the great scenery and places when you leave it. Anyway, welcome to Seattle, hope you find places you like, but home is home.
I'm an expat also living in France also and not too far from you. We have screens on our windows. I looked at Leroy Merlin's site and ordered them. We also have installed central air conditioner. We had it installed this year but we live in stand alone home in the countryside. We've gotten by with a portable unit for the occasional few nights it was too hot to sleep well when we lived in town. Installing an central unit that both heats and cools makes a barely any noise. When I gave my French friend (now husband) a glass of iced tea he became a convert. We ask for ice in our glasses when ever we eat out and plan on having plain water. I hate the parking in France but since I have had our Citroen monAMI for shopping I don't mind parking anylonger. I cook so there is not any food group that I miss from the USA. I certainly don't miss Target. I love that many of the shops are not individually owned. Every single town in France is not identical as it is in America. I like going to get a warm baguette, my meats from the local butcher, the local market day (are they still called Farmers Market in the States). Yeah. Perhaps I should have been born in France.
