Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ah, L'amour! ♥ 1:51 PM
I was watching an older episode of Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown today. Before I go any further, y'all need to know I am obsessed with the Travel Channel, usually opting to sit for hours watching food shows, travel shows, ect.-re-runs or not-, rather than big network dramas and sitcoms (except for Castle and Psych. LOVE them both), so a LOT of my discussions will be based off inspiration from the awesome network.
Anywho, my girl, Sam, was in Paris (France, not Texas), and though the food and sights alone were educational, a very important topic was discussed I feel everyone should know: the French are not all assholes. A French gentlemen on the plane ride over explained to her that the French were a lot like coconuts: hard exterior, but once you crack them open, very sweet inside.
If you take the time to try to speak a little of their language instead of assuming everyone outside of the states speaks English, and embrace what they're about, they're actually a very warm, welcoming people.
One thing you need to know is they take their food seriously. Remember, they set the stage for all that is gourmet and is considered to be the best in the world. You don't need to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy classic French food either. Stopping in one of the many bistros in Paris, like http://www.chezpaul.com/, where Samantha stopped to eat, you can sample hearty, simple French food that's pretty inexpensive. Expect to spend a couple of hours in a restaurant. They believe in taking their time, enjoying their food and good conversation, rather than hurrying through a power lunch. The wait staff very rarely checks in with you, something that is considered rude in the States, because they expect you to camp out and enjoy yourself.
I guess since I'm mostly French, and I've always been in love with the culture, I feel like I have to defend the country and the people that live there. If you just show a little respect, make an effort to speak a few phrases here and there, you'll learn the French can be as hospitable and friendly as any American family (and let's face it: not everyone in this country is as warm and fuzzy as most of us like to think we are). And if you think about it, it's pretty much what any of us would come to expect, isn't it?
The End.