34 Fascinating Cultural Differences Between the USA & France

Great video! I appreciate the effort you put into sharing cultural insights. However, as a frenchman there are a few points I'd like to clarify:

1) This seems to focus mainly on Paris. While it's true that Paris has its own unique characteristics, it's important to note that larger homes and spaces are more common throughout the rest of France, especially in the countryside—much like in the US. ; But I agree everything is bigger in general in the US.
4) I was surprised by your mention of elevator issues. In France, it's extremely rare for an elevator to be out of order. As a French person, I can tell you that whenever it happens, it causes significant frustration among residents. If someone told you that broken elevators are common, they might have been exaggerating or trying to mislead you. Maybe in some old parisian building, old elevators are more likely to have issues but this is not to be expected in general.
7) In France, it's very common to have toilets in the bathroom, and showers almost always have doors or enclosures to prevent water from splashing everywhere. Showers without doors are quite unusual here.
8) I've never seen a kitchen in France without a refrigerator. Most homes also have washing machines, and many have dryers as well. If someone told you that a lack of such appliances is normal, they were likely trying to excuse the deficiencies in their apartment. It's not representative of most French homes.
10) Regarding shopping habits, most people in France go to supermarkets for nearly everything—food, wine, cheese, household items, electronics, and more. Local markets are more of an occasional visit, at least for me and most of my friends and family. Maybe it’s different in some parts of Paris, but generally, supermarkets are the go-to option.
12) A word of caution on the term "artisanal" when it comes to croissants. In France, a bakery can have an artisanal label for making its own bread while still selling frozen croissants. Unfortunately, the label doesn’t guarantee that pastries are made from scratch. With some experience, though, it becomes easier to spot the real deal.

I’m looking forward to watching the second half of the video later. I don’t mean to be negative—you're doing an awesome job promoting travel and cultural exchange! I just wanted to correct these few points to provide a more accurate picture :)

Thank you, have enjoyed your friendly guide to the French way of life. I was fascinated to see that Madame is wearing a gold Agadès cross, exactly the same as one that was once given to me by a friend of my father's in Benin, West Africa. Did you get yours from Benin, too? Looking forward to exploring more of your vlogs... Bisous!

Kind of you to reply, Coleen - I now know your name! Interesting, it probably came from Benin, too. It was quite a shock to see it replicated so exactly. All the best, Noële.

I’m French good video. I’ve lived in both places 20 years each.
You forgot to mention a couple of things like:
- In France, the food quality is healthier, and the meals taste better
- In France few people eat junk food and soda.
-In France the portion sizes of food are smaller.
-In France people are naturally slimmer and more athletic.
- In France the welfare system is better, and the (French) citizen is better taken care of by the government.
- In France college and university is free or way cheaper than in the US.
- In The US people are friendlier.
- In the US people are more materialistic.
-In the US people\the government are more tolerant of other cultures and religions.

I just want to know how to find good vegan food without having the French treat me like a heretic. 😅

Non les maisons appartements en FRANCE ne sont pas plus petits ! Cela concerne PARIS où les très grandes villes qui comptent un prix de l’immobilier phénoménal.

I would say that appartement are small in paris city center but not really that small in other parts of France

You should not eat so much bread and croissants guys

We have baths and big kitchens. (Just don't leave in Paris)

love this. thanks for sharing. very thorough and insightful

In March we spent 4 wonderful days in Paris in a lovely small hotel. My only head scratcher was why no face cloths? Just hand and bath towels🤔🤷‍♀️😉
It was the same in England, so it must be a European thing. How do you wash your face?

At least half of what they say is inaccurate or straight up false

Congratulations on your video, which is generally very good.
However, as a French person, I think it would be useful to make it clear to tourists that Paris is very different from the rest of France, including its own suburbs.

For example, when you describe the way of shopping in specialist shops, in small quantities and several times a week; this is really very Parisian, but in the suburbs or in the countryside it is completely the opposite: they consume like Americans by going weekly to large supermarkets to fill their fridges and freezers.

Similarly, as soon as you leave the big cities, the French often have one car per person of driving age.

What an absurd country.

As a french, I can tell that most of your points are wrong or only applies to Paris...

Très intéressant !

I traveled to France many times and planned to move there for retirement. A wake up call to those wanting to expat to France. A strong bureaucracy country, uncivilized and rude if you're used with your easy life in the US. Here's an experience we had. We bought Metro tickets, got on the ride for moulin rouge. When arrive at the exit out we saw a crowded group of passengers and Metro security guys. I was warned that they randomly check Metro tickets to catch fraudulent. A security guy approach us asking for tickets. I showed my tickets he quickly said invalid without a reason. I offered to show the receipt of tickets purchased but instead here asked for id and the credit card we used. I thought it's for proof but he pulled my credit card from my hand and scanned it for a 100 euro FINE!!!! That's the civilization in France specially in the heart Paris. Later that night when getting back to hotel I called my bank to take care of it.
Europe is very fun to visit but it's not a place called home

Additional information
Stay at an aparcity hotels, they are modern, roomy and reliable than abnb. Large elevator, studio style room, good price and 24 hours reception. ( Zoku and yuna, is an example very quiet and nice staff with excellent service. They are chain company with many locations everywhere even have restaurant and bar)

Hello, you can bring a bottle of wine to you friend's party, it's usual, and sometime we drink it at the party.

That is not France, you are talking about Paris here ! You'd rather compare with NY then.

So, the women have to pay to pee and the men don't?

I read the comments. So mostly everything that was said in the video was incorrect 😂

French elevators are often TINY !
Retro fitted long after the building was built and squeezed into any place available.
It makes for interesting close interactions with other guests.😂
I have a rugby player physique and it can be tight. If you are obese these elevators can be impossible and you will pray you arent booked into a room high up in the buldong.

#14 Sounds perfect for people like me who live alone...a lot of the package sizes in US grocery stores are for families and I end up wasting food!

Some of these aren't that different from older dense US cities like NYC and some other east coast cities. Small hotels and apartments, walking and high public transit use, limited storage space for groceries, etc. Ive seen washing machines in kitchens plenty of times as well. Espically in cities that were well developed before such appliances became standard. So the kitchen is the only reasonable place to have a water hookup.

All of these make so much sense

America is just so below par in many ways

Bonjour! we plan to visit Paris for the New Year. We are not really into Museums but we are looking forward to FOOD! I have limited walking. I had to cancel going to the top of the Arc, after I found out after the elevator, there will be 50 steps to get to the top:( We do want to of course, visit the Eiffel Tower. Is there an elevator to the top? Last but not least, is it possible to travel from Paris to Lourdes as a day trip?

Just discovered your channel and we are “binge watching” your adventures and appreciating your advice. Hoping to head your way in Fall 2025. Many thanks.

The shower with no door or curtain really baffles me. I stayed at my French aunt's house and her shower's like that....I struggled not to get everything in the room wet but ended up with her cleaning the shower room after I was done with it every time.

I'm French and in France, it is very common to bring a bottle of wine when we are invited to a meal, either to consume it immediately or for the host to keep for the next time with or without us... I know no where you get your astonishing assertions from...

When you gotta go...you gotta go 😂 😂 😂

Do this with Italy, many similarities and differences with the US and France !

Thank you ❤

It's only for gas in US.

I make embarrassing mistakes where I live in the US. I’m sure I’ll make embarrassing mistakes there. I will attempt to greet people but I naturally avoid acknowledging other people. I’m sure I will forget that rule plenty of times while there. Hopefully they can forgive me.

OMG Mam plz put the stripes down.

Hold up!! The BOYS GET TO PEE FOR FREE BUT NOT THE GIRLS????!!!!

Love your videos, especially tips on budget eats.
I have tried to find information on eating dairy free in Paris.
My granddaughter has an actual allergy, not lactose intollerance.
Wonder if you might do a video on eating out with food allergies, gluten, dairy, mainly.

allez la france

All is right for Paris however, it in fact very frequent to bring a bottle of wine fir a dinner and it is no viewed as a faux pas. Generally, il will not be drunk the same day just because the host has prepared it's own wine.

I love your channel. I lost a lot of my french, but I always use the appropriate salutations when entering and leaving an establishment, it is much appreciated. just out of a logistic stand point, how long did you have to rent in paris to know where you wanted to live? Did you keep your house in Florida while looking? Did you bring all your belongings when you finally decided to move? I look forward to hearing from you. Francis

Parisians are different. So are Australians, Americans, British etc. That is why we travel to experience that difference,

Wow, I never imagined the two countries being different! Enlightening.

Be careful to understand that the inner city of Paris is its own world. Many thing that you might notice about the in er city of Paris does not at all represent the whole country (and not event he whole parisian urban area). Think about Manhattan, tourist might understand that it does not at all represent the whole US country, on post point it is actually the total opposite. The same can be said about Paris and the rest of France.

In Belgium, we kiss only once.

Transportation-wise, while the point you’ve made about the US car culture is generally accurate, you seem to nonetheless compare apples with oranges by paralleling Florida’s suburbia with Paris. How about comparing Paris with New York instead? While the bus system in New York might not be as robust as in Paris, a significant portion of city residents don’t own a car. On the other hand, do residents of small French towns really rely on mass transit exclusively? Don’t most of them have cars as well?

The point about Uber drivers cancelling is spot on, last month when j was there I literally could see my Uber on the other side of the intersection, he cancelled, came through the intersection and pulled over about 10m short of my wife and I and he picked up someone else, blew my mind.