I’ve been at my new home in France for 2 weeks now and here are some random observations to date:

Let’s see, what else have I learned? hmmmm. Okay well a couple of differences I have observed …… cheques are accepted everywhere.

I mean, MY cheques have my address in Oregon printed on them AND in big letters “Non-Resident” and still are happily taken everywhere. I am informed that cheques are the norm here. In the US of A, checks are less and less welcomed due to fraud. And credit cards are used much more sparingly in France. Debit cards – yes, but credit is more carefully monitored.

Another thing I’ve noticed. Couples seem a lot more prevalent, particularly in just the day-to-day activities. For instance, in the grocery store. Tons and TONS of man/woman couples doing their shopping together. I mean ALL over. Same with Brico-Depot. Couples, couples, couples.

Seems to me that in the U.S. I have never noticed grocery shopping as a husband/wife pursuit. And Home Depot is predominantly man-land where I live(d).

Other interesting topics of conversation … of course, everyone is curious about our government … why people put Bush in, why is there no revolt, do I think Barack can win … do I think our economy will improve.

My visit to the bank included a conversation on that topic. (My banker is a woman, Lydie, very enthusiastic and fun). Business people are very worried about the influence of America’s woes on France’s economy. Real estate has come to a near halt. Tourism slows with each season. Just how closely we are all intertwined is abundantly clear.

Also. Folks in France are not exactly enamored with the European Union and its impact on their lives. Prices have shot up steadily since the introduction of the euro. Things are tighter and tighter and in fact some believe that the creation of the EU basically eliminated the middle class in the country, or so reduced it that it is indistinguishable. What remains are the riche and a growing lower-income class.

On the plus side, most folks feel secure with the benefits (health care in particular) existent that they are not living in a panic. But more than one person has predicted a new French revolution on the part of the next generation. They feel the foundation of their ways of life have been rocked to the core and damaged in numerous ways. They do not want to be an adjunct to the U.S. or, for that matter, other European nations.

Vive la France!