|
|
Simple,
but Good Advice
Kim (you remember, Kim Chen-Bayle, the Associate Director?) is
going to give you a TON of advice and tips during Orientation.
In case you missed some of what she said, or she forgets to mention
these (she can't remember EVERYTHING), here are a few things we
encountered:
GENERAL ADVICE
- At grocery stores you often have to get produce weighed
in the Produce section before you go up to the register.
- You have to bag your own groceries.
- As much as you want to look at the beautiful Parisian architecture,
keep your eyes on the sidewalk. There is dog poop everywhere.
Have 3D vision!
- Leave a lot of extra time to get places until you get comfortable
with the métro.
- Keep busy during orientation. It’ll help you avoid
homesickness.
- Expect to be a little more independent than you may be
used to at home.
- And tired.
- White wine gets out red one stains and salt gets out red
wine stains (thanks, Brynn).
- On escalators and moving sidewalks, people on the right
stand still and ride, people on the LEFT, walk!
- In France, floors of buildings start at Réz de chaussée
(RdC), not 1, so the 3rd floor in France would
be the 4th floor in the US…
HOST FAMILIES
- Talk to them right away about things like phone use, having
friends over, what nights you will not eat there, what types
of food you eat, and other general rules. If you are unsure,
ASK. It is normal for them to sit you down and talk about
family rules. Don’t feel upset; it will make things
easier for you.
- Be honest about your tastes, otherwise you may end up with
something you don’t like. A lot.
- They like to hear about your day, so have something to
say at dinner. Don’t worry about your French! They want
to hear what you have to say, and they’ll figure out
what you mean.
- Always ask vocabulary questions.
- Say “Bonjour” every morning and “Merci”
often.
- If something seems weird, ask about it. There’s usually
a rational (or at least a cultural) explanation.
FOOD
- If you don’t know how to eat it, ask and they’ll
show you.
- Try everything.
- Don’t serve yourself wine at the table (unless they
tell you its okay).
- Take small portions.
- Most of our families have milk that’s un-refrigerated
and don’t cover things in the fridge.
- Chocolate is good any time of the day.
- In France, you can eat raw (and unrefrigerated) eggs –
they are flash pasteurized. Sometimes they even come from
the cupboard!
- Your bread at dinner goes on the table, not on your plate.
- Some families don’t use napkins. Others use linen
ones that fold up into individual pockets that they wash once
a week.
- Don’t eat out of the fridge unless your family tells
you that you can.
|
