Not-so-Normal Things Have Become Normal
1. Using the word "bizarre"
In the United States bizaar is not a common word, but in French, it's like saying, "it's weird." Now we find ourselves using it in English, too... it's kind of bizaar.
In the United States bizaar is not a common word, but in French, it's like saying, "it's weird." Now we find ourselves using it in English, too... it's kind of bizaar.
2. Kissing complete strangers
OK, so we don't kiss, but we bious. Which translates to kisses. On the cheeks. Twice. Though in some regions of the country it's more than twice; and they start with the opposite side than we do in Savoie. After 5 months we are still trying to figure out exactly when and whom we are to kiss, and apparently even the French struggle with this a bit as it varies by region. A friend of ours, another ex-pat, wrote a funny blog about this French phenomenon of bious.
OK, so we don't kiss, but we bious. Which translates to kisses. On the cheeks. Twice. Though in some regions of the country it's more than twice; and they start with the opposite side than we do in Savoie. After 5 months we are still trying to figure out exactly when and whom we are to kiss, and apparently even the French struggle with this a bit as it varies by region. A friend of ours, another ex-pat, wrote a funny blog about this French phenomenon of bious.
3. Eating kebabs
Most Americans hear "kebab" and think of a "shish kebab" - you know, the mix of neatly cut meats and veggies on a stick that you cook on the grill? Well in France, "kebab" has a different meaning. And it's good! A kebab in France is more like a gyro, typically with lamb, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, fries, and an variety of sauces. Yum! And they are relatively cheap.
Most Americans hear "kebab" and think of a "shish kebab" - you know, the mix of neatly cut meats and veggies on a stick that you cook on the grill? Well in France, "kebab" has a different meaning. And it's good! A kebab in France is more like a gyro, typically with lamb, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, fries, and an variety of sauces. Yum! And they are relatively cheap.
4. Walking to the grocery store
We live about a block away from a grocery store, and if you walk across the street on Wednesday and Saturday mornings you will find the large outdoor market. This outdoor market isn't just a small farmer's market with a few fruits and veggies. No, we have 50+ vendors with a variety of fruits, veggies, plants, meats, cheeses, grains, breads, and wines - all within a 2 minute walk of our apartment. It's great!
5. Not refrigerating milk (or eggs)
I don't fully understand, but it has something to do with the pasteurization process. Rarely do we see milk at the grocery store in the refrigerator section. Instead, it is piled high on the shelves in packs of 4-6 1L bottles. We buy a few bottles at a time, leave them on the bottom shelf, and only refrigerate once they've been opened. I must be honest, I don't enjoy a glass of milk here like I do in the US (so Mom, you better stalk up in the next couple of weeks ;), but it does free up space in the fridge.
We live about a block away from a grocery store, and if you walk across the street on Wednesday and Saturday mornings you will find the large outdoor market. This outdoor market isn't just a small farmer's market with a few fruits and veggies. No, we have 50+ vendors with a variety of fruits, veggies, plants, meats, cheeses, grains, breads, and wines - all within a 2 minute walk of our apartment. It's great!
5. Not refrigerating milk (or eggs)
I don't fully understand, but it has something to do with the pasteurization process. Rarely do we see milk at the grocery store in the refrigerator section. Instead, it is piled high on the shelves in packs of 4-6 1L bottles. We buy a few bottles at a time, leave them on the bottom shelf, and only refrigerate once they've been opened. I must be honest, I don't enjoy a glass of milk here like I do in the US (so Mom, you better stalk up in the next couple of weeks ;), but it does free up space in the fridge.
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