Cultural shocks in France 🇫🇷

I am a Russian immigrant in France and here are 7 culture shocks I’ve had here

La bise: kissing strangers on the cheeks when you meet them . C’est la base you get used to it

Friendships: people are VERY superficial about it, they can seem friendly and open but it doesn’t mean you’re close friends, and it’s the opposite in Russia. French people also invite others easily to their homes

home parties: that’s a typical parisian phenomenon with 30 people in 20 sq meters, smoking all together at the window and discussing politics and sex and inviting people with them that the hosts dont even know.
Now I do that myself.

everyone has political opinion: you cant not have one.

taxes: there’s nothing to say, they’re just HUGE. Get ready. The more you earn, the more you’ll fell it.

medieval stage of some technologies: such as getting your PIN code by post. your transactions take like three days to appear on your bank account it still surprises me

small talk saves your life: small talk is an art to master in France and honestly it took me years. Right now, whenever I get into public administration service I say oh bonjour Madame how are you today, isn’t it too hard with all these people, aren’t we bothering you too much? oh yeah me I just need this little thing really y quick , and then you talk about her house, her neighbors, her kids and Macron and get your paper done

What were your culture shocks in France?

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