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Pajamas to the grocery store?
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1. Snacking all day
In France there is one snack, the goûter at four o’clock, and then dinner. At our house, the boys get the goûter at four, then nothing until dinner. They complain. They also eat dinner. As I wrote in A French dad in America: “What I don’t get is snacking all day: an open bar of snacks, and then nobody eats at dinner.” The rule is in the free Household guide: dinner at eight, no grazing.
2. Pajamas in public
Leggings, sweatpants, slippers and Crocs at the grocery store. The pajamas and Crocs combo is a tue-l’amour, a passion killer. At school drop-off, half the parents are in pajama pants, and nobody blinks. In France, you get dressed to buy bread. See why Americans wear pajamas in public and why Parisian women dress up. The coat, the hem and three rules for him are in the free Fashion guide.
3. Lunch at the wheel
The drive-through, the coffee in the cup holder, the sandwich at a red light. My first drive-through felt like a car wash for food. In France, you sit down to eat, even for a quick lunch. I still don’t eat in the car. I’d rather wait and sit down. More in do French people eat fast food.
4. Giant portions
A plate big enough for three, and a box to take the rest home. At my first restaurant in America, I thought the plate was meant to be shared. Then came the doggy bag. In France, that is a big no-no: you don’t ask to take your leftovers home. French portions are smaller, and the meal lasts longer. The comparison is in French vs American portion sizes.
Quiz
What Would a French Person Judge You For?
Snacks, pajamas, Crocs and dinner at 5:15. Eight questions, one verdict.
Take the quiz5. “Oh my God, I love it”
American enthusiasm for small things: a sandwich is “amazing”, a sweater is an obsession. French people keep the big words for big things. To an American, pas mal, “not bad”, sounds lukewarm. In France it can be a real compliment.
The twist
French people judge, but they also envy. Free refills, strangers who say hello and the optimism all make the other list: American things French people love.
Questions, answered
What do French people think of Americans?
Most will tell you Americans are friendly and generous. They notice the habits above, but rarely say so.
Why don’t French people snack?
Meals are at set times, and the goûter at four is the one snack of the day, for children.
Still wondering?
Ask my French husband.
A short ruling in a few seconds. Written by AI from our Journal, in his voice.
For more of my American verdicts, we’re on Instagram — and Le Bulletin gets field notes like this one.
Before you go
Could You Survive a French Dinner Party?
When to arrive, which flowers never to bring, and when to leave.
