Petites Observations, Round 2

Just a short list of other things that, throughout the past few days, I've realized that I left out of my last post of this sort!

- At a meal, it's acceptable to put your bread on the table, rather than on the side of your plate. I'm not sure why, but it's the opposite from anglo-speaking countries, again.

- I forgot to mention how bread and butter seriously seem to be in endless supply at my house. I don't know how it's done, but it's magical and I love it. I'm also still going to promise a food post in the future - it will happen soon, I promise!

- The stereotype that all French people smoke is pretty much true. I mean, not everyone smokes, obviously, but a LOT of people do.

- The stereotype that all French people are mean, however, is NOT true. I mean, sure, there are rude people here, just like anywhere you would go. But, for the most part, I've found the French to be a kind group. If I ever don't understand what someone says to me, they'll either kindly repeat themselves and try to help me understand, or, if they had asked me a question, they'll pick up from my accent that I'm foreign and realize right away that, no, I can't help them find "la rue de la beouf."(It is flattering, however, to be asked for directions - I think it means I look like I know what I'm doing.) The other scenario is that they'll know that I speak English and proceed to try to talk to me in English - even though I almost always respond in French. It's been working out for me so far. Anyways, the people are very friendly and accepting. I think if one tries a bit to speak the language and not be rude all the time, they'll cut you some slack.

- Everything organized in France is not actually organized at all. The university system, for example, consists of every student having to fend for themselves for the most part. Each department releases their course info, and students have to find it themselves, and find the classrooms, etc., even if the classroom has changed for the day. I haven't had many problems with this (except for the occasion when class was cancelled and I had no idea), but course info is definitely not all in one place like it is at home. Even the French themselves will agree that they're terrible at designing things. Also for school, we have a "bureau virtuel" or "virtual office" - it's like SLU Global or Blackboard, but worse. One of my professors said, "We designed it ourselves, so it's impossible to navigate," or something along those lines. My conclusion has been that the French just do what they want, when they want. More power to them, I guess!

- Trying to speak French and to switch back and forth between french and english has been detrimental to my english speaking abilities. Yesterday I tried to say "shop" and said "stop," then switched and tried to say "store" - which came out "shore." This is probably something I would do anyways at home... But there have been countless other occasions during which I have not been able to think of the word that I want to use in english. Not in French, in English. Maybe forgetting your mother language is a sign of improvement in a foreign language? Sure, we'll go with that. Cool.

- Public transport here is great. I'm also amazed at the system of Metros/metro stops. They're underground and huuuge, and if I start thinking about it, I really can't fathom how they built it. I guess they organized that one thing right. 10 points for France!

- Coffee is tiny. I'm pretty sure it's based on Italian coffee. Everything is like the size of a shot of espresso - and it is stronger. So I guess it is espresso. But it's pretty rare to find an actual "normal" (american) sized cup of coffee - unless you go to Starbucks. Which is even more expensive here than at home. The plus side of the little coffees are the coffee vending machines. They're all over the cafes on campus, and only cost 40 cents. Or 50 cents if you get a mocha/other flavor. I'm a fan of that.

My brain may be officially fried now. I said I was going to sleep after my last post, and I have no idea how I made it this far, but now I reallly, really am going to bed. There will probably be more posts of this nature in the future, but for now, goodnight again!