Additional Coverage:
- I moved to southern France 2 months ago. I speak French, but the culture shock is more than I was expecting. (businessinsider.com)
Lost in Translation: A Brit’s Hilarious Culture Clash in the South of France
Trading the UK for the sun-kissed shores of Provence sounds idyllic, right? That’s what one British couple thought, until they realized “living the dream” can sometimes turn into a comedy of errors. While fluent in French, the pair quickly discovered that ordering a croissant and navigating a French WiFi contract termination are two entirely different beasts.
Two months into their French adventure, culture shock hit hard. Simple tasks like grocery shopping became baffling.
Do you weigh the vegetables first? Which nectarine is which?
And why does every store have a different payment system? Even the parking lots proved treacherous, with one “daily” rate turning into a €120 surprise.
Let’s not even talk about the €34 pepper dip. Ouch!
The daily struggles continue with the infamous French lunchtime closures. Imagine popping out for a quick errand only to find everything shuttered for three hours!
While respecting the French devotion to lunch, our Brit admits it’s a tough adjustment. On the plus side, snagging a restaurant table at 7:30 p.m. is a breeze.
Driving in France? A whole other level of adventure.
Let’s just say the local interpretation of “safe following distance” is, shall we say, optimistic. The high number of dented cars tells its own story.
Despite the hilarious mishaps and daily frustrations, the couple acknowledges their immense privilege. Provence is undeniably gorgeous, the friends are clamoring to visit, and the wine and cheese are, well, French.
They’re embracing the chaos, knowing that these “lost in translation” moments are all part of the expat experience. Besides, who doesn’t love a good anecdote, especially when it involves accidentally spending a small fortune on bell pepper dip?