Happy Bastille Day! Just a little gem to shed some light on our cultural differences while the French celebrate, apparently without any foodie traditions, across the pond.
Umami sister, ever the intrepid younger sibling (and impressive amateur photographer, no?), is spending the month exploring Paris. She recently sent an email with a list of “things I miss most about American culture.” Only a three-item list, I might add. One of them, though, true to my own heart, was “the concept of coffee to go.” Here’s what she said:
…and Slow French
Convenient excuse or no, it’s true – they are more fun. Just the way I’ve always found European attitudes toward food a lot more fun, not to mention reasonable, than our own Culture of the Microwaved Chicken Finger. But I must admit, the idea of starting the day without the all-American, all-enabling portable coffee drip makes me very nervous. (Ironic, no?) In fact, it makes me feel like placing into remedial French. And if I ever get to travel farther than the OB’s office again, perhaps I will.
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I’m pretty sure Umami boy could tell Umami sister how to do it. It’s funny, I’ve never thought about the fact that french people don’t really walk with their coffees.
Try something with a’ porter and then c’est d’habitude des americains de marche et boire (conjugate as appropriate) du cafe dans les matins. Say it as if you are embarrassed by the fact but it is not something in your power to change. It’s probably important to convey that you will be walking for pleasure while drinking. If they think you are taking it to go because you are in a hurry… that won’t work.
Also – now that I have tried to quit drinking coffee 4 times in fewer than as many months and I had a coffee this AM, I’m announcing that caffeine MIGHT be addictive. (Based on my study of N=1)
Have you noticed that if you´re in a european car that is older than say 8-9 years, they don´t have any cupholders! Naturally, since you´re supposed to enjoy your coffee at home or in a café. But eventually I guess the car manufacturers realized they can´t change the behaviour of the americans and introduced the cup holders. What a sellout!
I will never get used to drink coffee while walking on the street, or even worse – eat with my hands when other people are around.(yes, in Sweden we eat hamburgers with knife and fork even at McDonalds).
Ok, I better stop now since I still want to keep my green card…
[...] is my gorgeous sister Allison, of Parisian coffee and poultry confusion fame. She up and joined me on my whirlwind trip to San Francisco this [...]