Yeah, Boca Raton! I'm sure there are dozens (maybe even hundreds?) of Americans in Paris trying to be social media stars/influencers that we have no idea exist. I only heard of this couple because someone sent me this story.
Wow! That's an amazing journey! I think I picked up some of that from your tweets, but still, amazing! Now I need an introduction to "french fiddling". :-)
Their experience is sad. My family moved to Grenoble in 2002 and stayed a year. It was a fantastic time, but not without its ups and downs. In retrospect, I look at any cross-cultural move like that as proceeding in phases... there is the ~3 month honeymoon phase...”This is so cool! So much better than Xxxxx”. Followed by a bit of a souring where you realize things just “don’t work” the way you expect them to. You just “get” your native country and you just don’t get this new culture. It’s as simple as stores don’t match your American expectations -- no you can’t get toilet paper at a pharmacy but you can at a drug store in the US.
Eventually, if it works, there is acceptance -- there are things that are different here and I don’t totally get why, some are good, some are in my view better in my native country -- but I live here now and have to adapt. It really gives you a deeper appreciation for the many, many immigrants who doubtless experience this in America.
All great points, Mike. On your 2nd one, I was just discussing something similar on Twitter: The "obviousness" of life when I go back to the US. Like, I just know instinctively how to do everything. Whereas here, any new task can feel like a massive undertaking. But yes, it will always be like that, so one must embrace it!
Other thing: A few years ago, we went back to the US and our daughter's French friend came with us for a week. We took her to a pharmacy and her mind was absolutely blown. We went to pick up some medicine, and she didn't understand how that was possible in a place that sold candy, makeup, lawn chairs, and other random stuff!
Yeah, Boca Raton! I'm sure there are dozens (maybe even hundreds?) of Americans in Paris trying to be social media stars/influencers that we have no idea exist. I only heard of this couple because someone sent me this story.
Wow! That's an amazing journey! I think I picked up some of that from your tweets, but still, amazing! Now I need an introduction to "french fiddling". :-)
Very cool! Will check out your episode...
https://amta.fr/2019/01/en-avant-la-musique-dimanche-06-janvier-2019
Their experience is sad. My family moved to Grenoble in 2002 and stayed a year. It was a fantastic time, but not without its ups and downs. In retrospect, I look at any cross-cultural move like that as proceeding in phases... there is the ~3 month honeymoon phase...”This is so cool! So much better than Xxxxx”. Followed by a bit of a souring where you realize things just “don’t work” the way you expect them to. You just “get” your native country and you just don’t get this new culture. It’s as simple as stores don’t match your American expectations -- no you can’t get toilet paper at a pharmacy but you can at a drug store in the US.
Eventually, if it works, there is acceptance -- there are things that are different here and I don’t totally get why, some are good, some are in my view better in my native country -- but I live here now and have to adapt. It really gives you a deeper appreciation for the many, many immigrants who doubtless experience this in America.
All great points, Mike. On your 2nd one, I was just discussing something similar on Twitter: The "obviousness" of life when I go back to the US. Like, I just know instinctively how to do everything. Whereas here, any new task can feel like a massive undertaking. But yes, it will always be like that, so one must embrace it!
Other thing: A few years ago, we went back to the US and our daughter's French friend came with us for a week. We took her to a pharmacy and her mind was absolutely blown. We went to pick up some medicine, and she didn't understand how that was possible in a place that sold candy, makeup, lawn chairs, and other random stuff!