Seven Deadly Sins of American Expats in France and How to Avoid Them
Adjusting to life in France is not always simple. It’s easy to feel lost while adapting to an unfamiliar culture and learning the dos and don’ts of a new society. Keep reading to learn about the things to avoid to facilitate your transition into expat life in France.
Not speaking French
Speaking French is an essential part of living in France. There’s just no way around it! In bigger cities, you may have an easier time getting by in English, but, at some point, French will be necessary. The French language is extremely important to French culture and history, and a large part of the French population, even today, take their language quite seriously. To avoid this first deadly sin, take it upon yourself to learn some French. You don’t have to learn French to the native level, of course. However, speaking French past a basic level will increase your quality of life as an expat in France significantly!
Not having vital American documents
France is a country known for its robust bureaucracy, which means that you will likely have your fair share of confusing, frustrating, and seemingly easily avoidable run-ins with French administrative bodies. To make these interactions as painless as possible, do as the French do. Keep every document and make copies! As an expat in France, you’ll be obliged periodically to prove just about everything about yourself to legally stay in the country. The point is that having all of your documents as hard copies and in digital format is a must. Birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licences, leases, pay stubs, passport photos, tax returns, and more – you name it, you’ll need it (especially if you’re thinking of staying a while).
Not understanding your visa
There are a plethora of visas and residence permits that allow foreigners to live in France. Understanding the constraints and rules attached to yours is paramount to your expat experience in France. For example, not all foreigners can legally work or own a business while in France at any given time. For example, as American master’s degree students in France, Maria and I were allowed to work on our student visas for 964 hours per year. Knowing the specifics of the conditions of your stay in France will keep you out of trouble with the French government and will help ensure that you can continue to live in France.
Never leaving Paris
When it comes to Paris, there is no denying that the city is truly amazing. However, the fourth deadly sin is thinking that the same isn’t true for other cities and villages around the country! Many people choose to live, study, and travel to Paris, which can be a fantastic choice. However, the “Paris is France and France is Paris” mindset is the mistake that expats in France should avoid. By keeping an open mind to everything the country has to offer, you open yourself up to different experiences and opportunities, and you might just find that your French paradise is actually located elsewhere.
Expecting France to be America
France and the United States may go way back, but, at the end of the day, they are different countries with different values and practices. As an expat in France, it is almost impossible to not compare your old home and your new one, but adapting to French society can do a lot of good for you during your time here. For example, insulting France’s customer service methods is unlikely to change them, and dwelling on the absence of service-with-a-smile culture will probably do more harm than good for your experience. Embracing cultural differences and avoiding a romanticized caricature of France will help you avoid this deadly sin.
Expat bubble
France is a country that appreciates, and expects, a degree of assimilation from foreigners living here. Often times, expats are not well-adjusted immediately upon arrival. Whether it’s your lack of French skills, your mannerisms, or the cultural faux pas you make, you will likely be perceived as “other” at least once or twice. Experiences like this can bring on the desire to isolate yourself in a community of other expats who speak your language or who have had similar experiences. While there is nothing wrong with being a part of an expat community, you should make an effort to find a balance between staying in your comfort zone by relying on an expat community and trying to form bonds and relationships in the context of your new environment.
Behaving like a stereotypical American
Again, when in France, do as the French do. Behaving like an American is the last deadly sin because, in many instances, it is the opposite of how the French behave. Talking loudly, smiling at strangers who walk by, and jumping into conversations with people you don’t know are things that are just not as common in French culture. In order to avoid being “that American,” think about speaking at a lower volume when you’re in public spaces like the bus or grocery store and be sure to address people with a greeting before starting a full-fledged conversation with them.
We hope you enjoyed reading this list of things to avoid as an expat in France. Keeping these deadly sins in mind will help you have a better expat experience in this lovely country. Let us know in comment down below what you’d add to the list. We’d love to hear from you!
2 Comments
Xuan Tran Capps
Your video really helpme a lot. I will be in France for my MBA program this Deptember 2021. I hope I will able to contact you for guidance and advice.
Jalen & Maria
We are happy to help! Good luck with your program.