Other - France. What Should I Expect As A Teenager Going To France?

Other France : What Should I Expect As A Teenager Going To France

Im planning to go to France for a year with AFS my Junior year. Ill be doing a foreign exchange program, and will be living with a host family. Anything i should look out for, keep in mind or expect? ~~~ philiptankovich ~~~

Best Answer To Other France Question

When you eat dinner, take only 1 piece of the main dish (. one piece of chicken). Many French families cook just enough food and if one person is a big eater, there wont be enough for everyone. In France, the term "entree" does not mean main dish as in the US. It means appetizer (. oeufs mayonnaise-- deviled eggs, crackers with smoked herring, etc.). Go with an open mind. France is part of the western world, but it isnt the USA. Dont inadvertently insult your hosts (. your cars are tiny! or In America, we have lots of food at the dinner table). French students tend to carry brief cases, not backpacks. When speaking w/ adults and teachers, you should use the "vous" (formal form). Using the tu form is more common among students, even with those you dont know well. You can use the tu form when speaking with small children. Study French as much as you can before you go and try to speak as much French as possible with French ppl, even those who know English. If you do speak English, speak slowly and try to use slang which ppl might find hard to understand. Be respectful and neat as you would if you were staying with a host in any country. Have fun!

All Answer To Other France Questions

Answer 1

Expect a few of the teens to be a little distant at first but then warm up to you. Dont forget to use the vous form with older people and those you dont know, i always forget that... at the table dont drink your drink until your sure others are drinking and not toasting. be helpful with your host family :)

Answer 2

When you eat dinner, take only 1 piece of the main dish (. one piece of chicken). Many French families cook just enough food and if one person is a big eater, there wont be enough for everyone. In France, the term "entree" does not mean main dish as in the US. It means appetizer (. oeufs mayonnaise-- deviled eggs, crackers with smoked herring, etc.). Go with an open mind. France is part of the western world, but it isnt the USA. Dont inadvertently insult your hosts (. your cars are tiny! or In America, we have lots of food at the dinner table). French students tend to carry brief cases, not backpacks. When speaking w/ adults and teachers, you should use the "vous" (formal form). Using the tu form is more common among students, even with those you dont know well. You can use the tu form when speaking with small children. Study French as much as you can before you go and try to speak as much French as possible with French ppl, even those who know English. If you do speak English, speak slowly and try to use slang which ppl might find hard to understand. Be respectful and neat as you would if you were staying with a host in any country. Have fun!

Answer 3

The answers below are very good. Remember the most important things : - use the "vous" with people you dont know, except children and possibly the others students. -be helpful with the host family (lay the table, full or empty the washing machine...) -be open-minded, you may be surprised by some habits or attitudes, but think it is because of the cultural difference. For example, I have heard many foreigners ( Im French) who were shocked to hear the way the French were sometimes discussing, as if they were arguing, because they had not the same opinion. Its very common in France, telling the other that you dont agree with him doesnt necessarily mean that youre unpolite. But of course it depends on how you say it, who you are talking to, etc. Have a nice exchange !

Answer 4

The previous posts were excellent. I just wanted to add something about the dress code and all. I live in Paris and have many friends frequently comming to visit me from the USA (ur from the Us right?) and there were some striking stuff that they pointed out to me. - the French arent into brands at all. In fact highschoolars DONT wear coach, LV, Gucci, Juicy couture purses, even people in college dont do that because it is just plain ridiculous and you are made fun of if you do as in you are tyring to boast. People who do are also often said to wear fake brands. - French dont wear casual clothes in the american way as in sneakers, sweat pants etc. People who do that here are are thugs. People are actually very laid back, they dont care if they wear the same clothes several days in a row and my friends really enjoy the brandless, dont care about image when they come visit me.