Many people have transferable skills to another type of work

I am a A2 in french and i want to study there so this video really stressed me out. Technically I have two more years to get my b2, and my c1 in English, but for English it seems that I have always been fluent and it was never so hard and overwhelming… does anyone have any experience with learning French to go to university❓

In any village if there are toilets they are almost always free. I don't guarantee the cleanliness though.

Plastic bags used to be free, but then the government imposed the need to make them not free. So much the better.

I agree with all your points, although I think the career path thing is changing - but it's definitely a fairly recent things, not a mindset

I was waiting to hear “Ghislaine (sp?). 😮

3:59 Sounds as if France 🇫🇷 doesn’t do “transferable” skills…

I too like Chewy. I mentioned to them my dog was having some difficulties and they sent a free toy. How thoughtful!❤ (coming to you from Virginia)

Diane is definitely dee-ane in french :) the same way when I go to NZ, I pronounce Raphael in a different way, because english speakers cant pronounce the french "ra"

When you say people work less in france, I guess you mean work less hours. but the outcome at the end is still the same. on the parking, I agree, in germany, they are bigger too. probably because car are sacred in germany, don´t you dare touch them. I guess france allocates the space to some other use which is more important for the people there.

I am french ,leaving in Colombia. I left France and my country men because tey complain too much.

Go where you feel you are treated best and where you enjoy being.

Vive la France! Vive Diane! 🎉😊

Hello Diane. I would sum up with one word. Ambition.😊

If you’re from the South you know it’s uncouth to talk about money in front of people.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR GREAT TIPS DIANE!!!! BEST WISHES!!!!

I like your video’s very much. You have objective views about things in France and the USA. But sometimes I think , that’s not only in France the case. I’m from the Netherlands and I recognize so many things you mentioned in this video. So, it’s in my point of view a European attitude.

I think.... I will fit it well in France. I complain all the time. And my friends love to tell me I complain too much... hahaha

A fairly important element of the difference about owners not being around during home viewings for potential purchasers is American litigiousness: the realtor does not want the owner saying anything to potential viewers which may be misleading (either positively or negatively). In France, anything the seller says is not considered legally valid unless and until it's in writing in the paperwork. "The septic tank was emptied last week" (no, it was two years ago), "the neighbours are lovely people, we socialise all the time" (actually we hate each other's company and they are noisy and inconvenient to live next to), etc etc. In the USA, anything the seller says without going through the realtor is immediately actionable and the realtor will make sure that they do not make representations that would not stand up in a court of law.

I seriously disagree with all of your points. After 51 years in France, I have learned the ropes and know exactly what to say to get exactly what I want. But I will admit that many of my (French) friends have never figured out the system.

Aide au référencement

I feel you are totally right ! I especially try to avoid a bunch of people at work... trop râleurs !

What is considered rude in any country is not determined by foreigners. If you're visiting, you just have to deal with it. The French would say the same thing about visitors to their own country.

On the positivity and "can do" thing, there can be a downside to this in that many american folks, and even companies, can have a completely misplaced and unfounded confidence in their abilities, tecnology, knowledge and skillset to do things (which they seem to genuinly believe BTW). When i was working on high tech engineering projects, and getting quotes, Americans tend to promise you the world, plus more features than you asked for or wanted, in half the time at less cost. The project would overrun, go over budget, and not work properly. Germans would say this is a very difficult project, we must limit your expectations, either; it will be done exactly on time and will cost what it costs, or it will be done at your budget with lower spec in a longer time frame.They would deliver exactly as promised on time....but it would cost you A LOT. French will say, it can't be done AT ALL, at any price.....however Jean and Pierre will start work on it on Monday and we'll see how it goes 😂😂😂😂

I live in Thailand, and the only thing I miss here is Trader Joes. I would be so happy to shop regularly at French markets, something I did recently with my friend when I was in Marseille. US markets are trash compared to French. A good French market is literally a spiritual experience the food is so fresh and wonderful. Many items are not regularly even seen in the US. Don't miss any of the other things either when I'm in France.

To say "people seriously underestimate" is to seriously understate the problem. The language is a true nightmare. French grammar and pronunciation are the real reason why English is lingua franca in the world now. Their customs are, hmm... how should I put it... different, sort of (so as not to use an offensive word lol). Also, listen people carefully, and even *memorize* what Diane has to say about doctors being condescending and not wanting to bother with blood analyses etc. My French grandmother had to die (in excruciating pain) at the age of 56 because her doctor diagnosed her with indigestion when she had kidney stones!

I suspect youth today in the US feel it’s more like as you describe in France, but I also think our youth undervalue themselves often and hesitate to try something new. As a person who returned to college at 38 and completely changed my career, I was amazed at the various people I met from other countries who thought that was absolutely insane. Yes, I had to pay for it somehow, but that kind of change is still simply unavailable a lot of places. Don’t know about France, but young people in many other countries are expected to choose a career very early and just stick with it. We’re still a lot freer to choose (within many constraints I know!) our paths or change them later.

O, Yes to the first point made! And I live in France and I Have a full size VW Passat station wagon. and the spots are too small for it.

the 'pas mal' is a perfect example. For me as an American, it's quite the compliment but the French see it as 'it's not bad ....but it's not good either'

Evidently, you haven’t dealt with a Call Center for a US Retailer outsourced in India 😂 P.S. People in the US have been much less friendly and optimistic since Covid, actually, exceedingly rude sometimes and Customer Service has been awful.

Diane, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and informed point of view on so many different subjects. I find that I love to come to your channel to end my day on a positive note.

As an American I once watched a UK couple list 5 things that they liked/admired about the USA and every single one did NOT apply to the average American's lived experience. The impression I got is that they knew nothing about the USA on the ground level and didn't like a single thing about us (fair enough but then why make a fake video saying that you do). Like for example, one of their listed items was Hollywood makes good movies to watch anywhere in the world. Okay, well, the average American doesn't live or work in Hollywood-- we consume movies absolutely no differently than a UK person would. I really like, by contrast, your lists really connect to ordinary, everyday people. This list (as well as your channel's ethos in general) shows cultural impacts that we've all actually lived.

Your broad-minded and respectful discussion about national characteristics is so admirable that I cannot praise it highly enough.

I love visiting France. Not this year due to the Olympics. Talking about small things in France. Once stayed in a lovely little hotel in Paris, room was nice, a view of the Siena out the window =. The shower on the other hand was so small and the valves stuck way into the stall it was difficult at best to use and I am a normal sized person. Naturally, it is difficult when putting bathrooms in old buildings that would be the case. The elevator was also very small and took the stairs the whole time. Very small barely room for two people. Sometimes, I dream of a little villa in the south of France for retirement.

"Enjoy what we like and make peace with the rest" - very quotable! Always enjoy your videos, Diane 🗼🌎💕

You bringing up parking again made me think of another story... I had reserved a parking space at the hotel in Limoges. After parking, the desk advised me to turn around and back in, while there was room to do so. Of course, being an American and "I can drive anywhere", I did not listen. I had a bugger of a time backing out of that tiny courtyard garage when it was full! LOL! Lesson learned!

All so true, Diane. Thanks for your video. I'm enjoying your channel, which I've recently found. I'm a Francophile from way back when. I was a study abroad student in Paris in 1989. I've started regular trips to Paris in the past few years after 15 years traveling to other places. I've especially enjoyed your trips to Monoprix, one of my favorite places in Paris. I love their wine selection and I use their fold up shopping totes everyday! Thanks for reminding viewers to keep it classy. I hate the negativity on the internet. Looking forward to the next video.

You make your glasses look good.

Hey @ouiInFrance love your videos. I’ve noticed you always say « all full-time employees get 5 weeks holidays » but the 5-week paid holidays also applied to part time, it applies to all permanent employees of any company. Cheers ;)

Bonjour Good Day from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I love your Vlog Video about "Five Things The U.S. Does Better Than France" . In Canada, We are like the U.S.A. in some things and like French in other things. Canada is a mix of U.K. or G.B. , U.S.A. and Europe or France because we are English and French Country. Quebec have some European way of doing things and Thinking and English speaking provinces have U.K. and U.S.A. way of doing things and Thinking.

I am so impressed that Chewy sent you a sympathy gift 😊 Wow. They clearly get the pet human connection. Lovely 💐

Thanks for the balanced view! And I love the slogan on your shirt!

Bonjour Diane! I highly recommend that you watch Franklin with Michael Douglas on Apple TV. It’s a Franco-American collaboration and I love observing the cultural clashes. Franklin was a keen observer of the culture and he also appreciated French culture. I’d love to hear your take on the series.

Oh, I feel like I know this one, here we go, I preshot this list of 5 things the USA does better than France: #5 students loans over 100 000$ #4 selling private health insurance #3 letting poor people die #2 economic inequalities #1 school shootings

Love the shape of your glasses they really suit you 😊 great video

Love your channel. And yes, customer service in the USA is very good.

As a French, I actually think n°1 and 5 are things France does BETTER than the US. In our education we are expected to adjust to society, so basically following the rule not to trouble the organization. And about the customer service, I'm ABSOLUTELY shocked that someone can return something like makeup already used. It won't be sold anymore, so that's encouraging waste. And if you eventually don't like : well, that's the best lesson one can be taught to think twice before buying the next time ^^ About changing careers, i have mixed feelings. I've already heard a craftsman saying in his field it takes about 10 years to get your hand. Probably also true for some intellectual professions. So basically if people change their career every 10 years, you never get someone able to do quality staff. I believe in France we favor quality and having specialists. Same for parkings, big ones are proportional to big places in the US, more difficult in France. The only point I actually fully agree on is optimism.

Okay, I came here to laugh because I'm French and we are definitely not the best out therebut ! I must disagree ! If you have an allergic reaction to a product you can return it (I actually did it at Sephora). On the other side, I believe (I may be mistaken) not being able to return an open product is actually a European law.

My mother's name is also pronounced very differently in French vs English. In English, its joo' dith with the first syllable stressed and the letter j pronounced like in the word jump. In French, its ʒoo deet', with the stress on the last syllable and the j pronounced like the s in the word measure. (that symbol 'ʒ' represents that sound)

When I was walking GRs in France, I often came across French people who positively revelled in gloom with the phrase, "C'est fini ..." Eg one slightly drizzly day in Florac, "C'est fini l'été". (The summer wasn't finished - the next day the sun was out again.) I heard several times, "C'est finie la France". Well, that was between 2000 and 2017 and in 2024 France still survives!