Now that I’m back in the states and trying to settle into regular life, I find there’s a host of things I miss about France. Here’s a few:

1. A more conscientious lifestyle around consumption.
   - Grocery stores charge you to take a plastic bag. (I was a great re-user)
   - People are smaller (from the moment I stepped off the plane in Chicago, the American Epidemic of Obesity was glaringly obvious. We clearly consume more.
   - Just my observation, but there is far less plastic in France. Coke comes in bottles, even my Yoplait yogurt I bought at the grocery store came in small clay pots.
2. Walkable communities.
   -Maybe it’s just because we were always in the city, but everything seemed walkable. In the city of Paris, it’s claimed that there isn’t a building that is farther than 500 meters from the metro (subway).
   - I assume mass transit requires less energy consumption than everybody driving their own car.
   - I could generally find anything I needed within a 15 minute walk/bus/subway/rail ride.
3. Open-air cafes everywhere.
   - I like being able to get an espresso, a coke, or a bit to eat at an open air cafe that always seemed within walking distance.
4. Way less advertising.
   - Aside from at bus stops and train stations, there was very little large format advertising. I never felt inundated except by ads for the Sex in the City movie.
5. Soccer is always on TV
   - Even with French commentators, soccer is still my first love. I loved watching it all the time.
6. Coke in the bottle. Daily.
7. Beautiful architecture all the time.
   - A beautiful mix of the modern and the ancient. There’s very little “old architecture” in Minneapolis. So many classics were torn down in the city planning movements in the 20th century, especially in the 50’s and 60’s. In France, buildings are either built in the same style and beauty of 200, 300 or 400 year old buildings, or it goes in a very modern direction. The mixing of the two is quite intriguing to me.
8. Everyday fashion is way better.
   - Again, landing in Chicago, the frumpy midwesterner became obvious.
9. Is it me, or are the groceries cheaper?
10. Lot’s of time alone with my wife, waking up whenever I do naturally.

One Response to “Things I miss about France”

1. Sally // Jun 23, 2008 at 1:12 pm

   Looks like it’s time to start planning your trip to Germany- you’ll be able to take advantage of some of those same features. as for #9 That is one thing that I have have a hard time with when I come back to the states- I do think that groceries are more expensive, esp. produce- which makes me so mad- it’s much cheaper to eat unhealthful than healthful- which could explain your #1 point. we also do lots of walking around here- or biking and have a good public transport. It’s nice (good to remember the good things about being here when I get to feeling a little (or a lot) homesick. Thanks Jer.