The French...

Leaving for Barcelona tomorrow, so this won't be as long as I'd like. I just wanted to share some of my first impressions of the French and their culture.

One of my favorite things is that they have Boulangeries (Bakeries) on every block, most of the time there are several on a block. They're more frequent here than Starbucks back home! Here's a picture of the Boulangerie right downstairs of our apartment. We'll usually go down and grab a pastry in the morning and get a baguette on the way home. James has made me do all of the ordering so that I can practice my French.
Speaking of speaking French, the people of Lyon have been so helpful with this. I know the French have a stereotype of being rude, but I think most people would be rude if you came up to them and began speaking a language that was difficult for them. I've been trying to order and speak in French, but everyone here has been so great about speaking slowly and speaking "Frenglish" so that I can understand.

This is a random anecdote, but the dogs here are so well behaved. None of them are on leashes, and this one just sits inside the Butcher shop all day, not tied up and never moving from his spot.

In terms of fashion, everyone is so well dressed. One of the first days we got here, my friend Masin and I went to the bakery downstairs in our sweats. BIG MISTAKE. I have never been glared at more in my life. We definitely felt out of place. Even if they're just running to the grocery store, they are always dressed up. Here's a picture of me in the jeans we bought to look more European. After we dissect their fashion a little more, I can post more.
It's fascinating to me what my classmates think about America. In my American History class (taught by a German professor) each student was asked why they want to study American management and work in America. Some answers include: I want to make a lot of money, I want to move to the Promise Land, I want opportunity, everything is possible in America, I love the language, I want to be successful. He then asked us to respond to this, and our general consensus was that they had a very idealistic view of America, but that you can be successful, it will just take a lot of hard work. In France, they're accustomed to having 2 hour lunches and taking the entire month of August off. I think we gave them a pretty good idea of the differences. It's been fun meeting our French classmates, they all want to practice their English with us and learn all about life in the US, so we're becoming quick friends.

I wrote a lot more than I was planning on! I better get to bed. Sorry, no blogs until I get back on Monday. I'll write about classes next week too. Leave comments!