France vs Canada

I've been observing a few things here in France that are somewhat different than Canada and would like to share:

1. McDonald's

France always does it classier. First of all, there is not ONE McDonald's that is one floor. They are 2+. Secondly, they have McCafe's here! Where they sell specialty coffees and pastries. As if a bigmac meal is not enough, why not top it off with a macaroon or a cheesecake? Third, when you walk in, there is a self-service machine that you can order and pay from, THEN you go to the counter to pick up your food. And finally, the bathrooms! Learned this the hard way - drank too much fanta and went to the toilette, but it was locked - so I thought it was a single bathroom and that it was taken, so I waited and waited and waited, until someone came and looked at me strangely and then entered a code on the keypad that I somehow missed and the door opened. At McDonald's, there is a bathroom code on the bottom of your receipt that you need to enter in order to use the bathroom. I guess this prevents people from the streets to use it without buying something. How high-tech is that!

2. Technology

So although McDonald's is high-tech, I'm finding the rest of France (or at least the part that I'm in) is not. First of all, I want to murder my wifi here in my dorm (except that it's not a physical object, so I don't see that as a possibility). It is SO slow! During the day it's alright, but at night time, it's nearly impossible to even connect! Which makes it hard with the time difference back in Canada because it's most convenient for me to skype late at night because it's early evening back home and everyone's home from work and school. Second, can you think of the first computer you've ever owned? I'm pretty sure my whole school is equipped with those. They work fine, but it's really funny to see a computer the size of your fat cat these days. 

3. Elevators
Ok, you've heard me complain about the lack of elevators here. But it's true, France is most definitely NOT wheelchair accessible! And with my tendency to break bones (which won't happen mums and pops!), I don't know how I would survive here. No wonder why the French are so thin, they have to walk up stairs all of the time. Since a gym membership is not included in my tuition, I feel that the stairs will suffice as my exercise. 


4. Red Meat

When you ask for medium, you get rare. When you ask for well done, you get medium-rare. It's near impossible to find a well-done steak here. One time in the cafe, Elina, Ava, and I ordered steak. We all cut into it, and out poured blood everywhere, it was not cooked at all! I'm pretty sure it was still alive. That was the last time that I've eaten red meat here. 

5. Greetings

I don't think I've ever been kissed so much in my entire life. You don't shake hands here or hug, you kiss both cheeks. And it's not even when you just meet someone for the first time, it's EVERY time you see someone. Us international students aren't religious kissers but the French are. The other day, I saw a French guy from one of my classes and I went over to say hi and he leaned in like he was going to hug me, so forgetting the whole french norm, I went and gave him a big hug. He started laughing, then I realized that he was putting both hands on my shoulders to give me a kiss on both cheeks, which he continued to do after my embarrassing hug. Oops.    

That's all I have for you folk now. I'm sure I'll think of some more to add later!