Switzerland, France, and America... Some little differences that make a big difference!

The Swiss, the French, and the ‘Mericans! I grew up in America and I have been in Europe (for the first time) for less than a week and I can already see stark differences in the people of the three countries. Its rather amazing! So far, I have to say that the French are my favorite. Surprised? Me too. A little.  The French have a bad reputation for being snobby and prideful, and while I am sure there is a bit of truth to it, it is no comparison for the Swiss and Americans. Yep, I said it! Americans. Don’t get me wrong, there are exceptions! Always. What I am talking about is my general observation of the people in these three countries. In my first week. Haha. 

Let me start with what I have seen thus far of the Swiss people. They are a no-nonsense group of folks with lots of money and pride in their country. There is really nothing wrong with any of that but it provides little comfort to a foreigner. They also litter. A lot. When I was in Basel on Saturday there was trash everywhere! It may have been worse than usual because of the music festival, but it was more litter than I would have expected. It seems that 85% of the people smoke and their cigarette butts all over the ground only help to confirm this. They are a busy, rushed group of people marching through the streets flicking their cigarettes and talking on the phone. Which brings me to the French…

…the French are entirely different! While many of them smoke they don’t seem to be as careless about where they throw the remnants as the Swiss. The French are not nearly as fast-paced as the Swiss unless they are behind the wheel of a car. Zut alors! Its a little scary. As I am sure you have heard, the French like to take their time especially when eating. The average lunch break is 1.5 - 2 hours! I kind of love it. They eat at least two good meals a day, if not three. For lunch they often have a beer or glass of wine as well as at dinner. You can’t really do that in America. Speaking of America…. 

…30 minute lunch break where you choke down a greasy burger and a soda and then its back to work! You were doing good to scarf down a granola bar with your morning coffee, and for dinner its probably takeout or something from the freezer. And before any of my fellow Americans get upset about this, remember that I said there are exceptions! Not everyone eats so bad in America, but mornings are rushed, lunches are short and dinners are (typically) quick and easy after a long day. The meals are often eaten on the go or in front of the TV… this is simply not done in France or Switzerland.

Basically, the reason I prefer the French (so far) is not only the way they pace themselves but the way they look and dress! The French are known for being beautiful but its not because they cake on makeup and spend hours on their hair… its actually quite opposite! They strive for a fresh and natural look. They do NOT contour their faces (praise the lord), wear heavy rouge, or wear tons of products on their hair. They are beautiful. They might wear a little more for special occasions but still not the full-faced clown look like many Americans. Sorry, not sorry! None of my friends ever looked like the American women I am describing and I know why… its ugly. I don’t have ugly friends. In America, at least in the south, you might be laughed at for going certain places bare-faced but its the opposite in France. You’d be laughed at for caking your face in products. You'd stick out like a sore thumb. I am not trying to be mean but I truly appreciate the French view of beauty. 

I think the reason many people say the French are stuck up is because they don’t go around smiling and waving at everyone. In all honesty, I am glad! It doesn’t mean they are rude. I don’t always want to smile at everyone I pass or ask everyone I encounter how they are doing. I am in my own world and I like it there. Just because Americans are always smiling and saying, “how are you?” does not mean they are nice and friendly. They/we don’t usually care how you are, and when we smile we are either still in our own world or possibly thinking, “wow that outfit looks terrible.” So why be fake? Don’t ask me how I am when you don’t actually want to know about my day, and you don’t have to smile just because we walk past one another in the store. I think Americans exhaust themselves with the time they put into getting ready in the mornings and making sure they speak to everyone. Relax, for crying out loud. 

If you had a rude encounter with a French person it is MOST LIKELY because you were being obnoxious. If you walk around France like the badass American that is gracing the French with your presence then you deserve it. Sure, some people are rude. There are rude people everywhere but so far I have not seen anything particularly rude about the French. Not at all.