Florian and I’ve simply moved out of our residence after 9 months in Paris and we each agree that this time has flown by however we additionally really feel we’ve been right here without end.
I saved word of the issues I observed during the last yr and thought I’d share all of them with you. Any Frenchies studying who’ve a solution to the under, please let me know and I’ll add it in!
1: The Baguette Bag
There’s little question bread is an absolute each day staple not simply in Paris however throughout France and also you’ll discover it on the desk at each meal. But what I don’t perceive is why the boulangeries don’t make a paper bag sufficiently big to cowl all the baguette?
For some unknown motive, the paper bag is barely lengthy sufficient to cowl three-quarters of the bread, leaving the highest of it uncovered. Why not simply make a bag that covers the entire thing?
The solely motive I can consider is it supplies easy accessibility to snack on for the stroll house.
I’ve been strolling house a couple of instances and have gotten caught within the inescapable rain and have needed to stuff the bread in my coat to guard it from the water drops.
Just a suggestion, make the bag longer!
2: Non-accessible metros
In 2021 I’d have thought all metros could be completely accessible for prams, wheelchairs and different bodily wants however alas no.
Often Florian would assist moms with carrying their prams up or down the steps and I don’t even understand how folks with bodily impairments get across the city- the bus possibly?
The newer metro stations like line 14 have each elevators and escalators however the majority go away you stranded.
I hope this can be a plan sooner or later so as to add extra pleasant choices for many who can’t take the steps.
3: Why is it regular for everybody in French administration to lunch on the similar time?
My complete skilled working life, it was uncommon for each particular person within the crew to schedule their lunch break on the similar time. Maybe I’d go 12 to 1 and my colleague then 1 to 2 for instance, however in France, if you wish to name somebody between 12 and three good luck getting via!
I used to be fortunate to have versatile working preparations the place I may name earlier than or after these instances however I don’t know what you’d do in the event you labored full-time additionally and will solely name in your lunch break.
4: Why does everybody simply settle for the French Post is horrible?
During my keep, I needed to renew my visa in addition to apply for medical insurance, each of which required me to mail in a file of specific paperwork.
When it got here to the medical insurance, we mailed my file in November and adopted up in January to get an replace. We have been advised my file hadn’t arrived and was most likely misplaced within the mail.
Florian and I additionally despatched house care packages for Christmas to our households. While my field arrived inside 10 days, in response to the monitoring quantity, Florian’s sat on the submit workplace for 3 weeks earlier than being despatched.
A couple of months later at an appointment with the medical insurance, the woman knowledgeable us that it’s regular for the submit to lose mail or to have it delayed by six months.
Ummm that’s not factor, proper?
How can folks simply settle for that the submit workplace loses mail or takes months to ship?
I don’t perceive!
5: Why are the crossings divided in two?
When crossing the highway, you retain a watch out for the little inexperienced man, examine it’s secure to step out and also you cross to the opposite aspect, however in Paris, it’s not that easy.
Most of the broader streets, roads and boulevards have an island in between the 2 lanes and two separate inexperienced males. So while you may even see the inexperienced gentle in entrance of you on the opposite aspect of the highway, this doesn’t imply you possibly can step out as a result of your quick aspect of the island is pink.
Even after 9 months, I nonetheless take a step out once I see the inexperienced man on the opposite aspect of the road earlier than realising my aspect was nonetheless pink.
If you’re capable of go to the town when borders reopen, make sure to preserve this prime of thoughts!
6: Is it authorized to hurry in reverse down the road?
Usually when driving, in the event you miss a flip, you let loose an expletive after which proceed straight till the following flip and head across the block, or on a quieter avenue, when secure, make a u-turn and take a look at once more.
If you miss a flip in Paris, don’t fear, simply pop the automobile in reverse and drive again down the road.
Missed it by 5 metres? whack it in reverse.
Missed it by 30 metres? All good, you possibly can reverse down the road, too!
I’m not saying that is solely accomplished on empty streets and slowly, it’s all the time on a avenue with vehicles coming in the direction of the reverser, who can be driving very quick!
So when crossing the highway in Paris, I’ve adopted this course of:
1- Look proper
2- Look left
3- Look proper, once more
4- Check for cyclists
5- Check for scooters
6- Check for vehicles dashing in reverse down the road
I can’t consider one thing I’ve dreamt of for over half my life is coming to an finish and I’ll actually actually miss the unimaginable pals I’ve made right here, the countryside escapes, the chocolate croissants and wandering the streets of this stunning metropolis.
Paris is thrilling and soiled and confronting and awe-inspiring and like no different metropolis and he or she’ll all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart.
-tgfs x