What it's REALLY like being American in Paris ft.

[@JaySwanson]

Great chats, great lunch. Thanks again for both!

[@raquelrigal]

Describe the pizza of your dream, Jay. I may know a place or two… ;)

[@jononthejourney]

Been looking forward to a conversation on this! Nothing has changed for me I still want to visit and even more so after your videos. Thanks again for sharing the city with us :)

[@damiaanspatrick2050]

Sgabetti, nice !

[@franchescaaldoyn5646]

Let me tell you that my trip to Paris It was all a success in part thanks to all the Videos my husband and I watch from @Jay Swanson. I had a better Idea of how to move around the city in the metro and my husband is a Barista, Coffee is a big deal for us and thanks to Jay suggestions we enjoy amazing coffee and pastries.

[@lesliet.4672]

We love you, Jay!

[@mathieufrancois6054]

I love how Jay talks about Paris, he is so realistic about it and doesn't shy away from criticism or praise. I guess less Americans have that adverse reaction to Paris cause NYC is kinda the same, great fantasization contrasted with a reality that is more complex.

[@gabrielniklasschildt5612]

If an American is in Paris and doesn't blog about it, is he truly an American in Paris ?

[@nobackupplan]

Great question.

[@JaySwanson]

Unmoored and rudderless like a ship adrift at sea.

[@billieford9683]

I am and I don’t 😂

[@MakotoOPT]

If a tree falls and no where is there to ...

[@engv]

“People want change but they don’t want to change” great said dude .

[@clairette811]

If I may… as a French living in the US, I would say that the “randomness” of French bureaucracy rules has its American equivalent in the health insurance policies… just saying 😅👀

[@jkassarian]

Je vis depuis 5 ans aux USA et je suis bien de ton avis ! Sans parler des visas, green cards etc.

[@AaronHooper]

Nathaniel this video legit felt like I was sitting in the chair with you guys at lunch listening to this convo! Thanks for this

[@KishanthJavegar]

Loving these casual, candid, honest conversations Nathaniel. Keep em' coming! 😉🙌

[@Nkanyiso_K]

*Building the hype for *"The Spanish language doesn't make sense"*

[@melhoman8302]

The reason it's hard for an american to open a bank account in France is because of changes the USA made taxation. I'm british and it was fine for me to open an account. Lots of european nations are avoiding opening accounts for Americans because the IRS makes everyone's life hell.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

It’s not due to taxation, it was the anti-money laundering laws that came into effect under Bush after 9/11, and strengthened by Obama, but screwed all of us moderate income citizens who live other than the US. Foreign financial institutions have been strong-armed by the US Government into agreeing to report on all their citizens, and thus, banks and such are starting to put an end to opening accounts for Americans abroad. I live in Portugal, and have been lucky so far-but FATCA, and even filing the FBAR, is governmental overreach of the highest order. People renounce because of this. And don’t even get me started on the accidental Americans. Ugh…

[@Pazu84Vaucluse]

oh yeah, I moved to the US, as a french citizen I didn't have to report to French tax office. I heard US citizens have to report even when they earn a living abroad.

[@Samreen0987]

Just wanted to say that Nathaniel your content is phenomenal!

[@sarapowell46]

Hahaha omg this is SOOO relatable! I live in Madrid as an American expat and I feel the same love-hate frustration discussed at 15:00

[@mariahmaganda385]

I love this style of video. I would absolutely love to have wholesome conversation with people like this.

[@aleaftolive]

Having spent half of my education in a French school and the other half in a Scottish school, I totally relate to a lot of the observations you both made on the downsides of French education. Such an insightful vid!

[@davidio1946]

Please have more conversations with Jay. This was VERY eye opening and interesting!

[@absmith4724]

Great conversation, really enjoyed this as an American and lover of Paris. I've been to Paris and feel more inspired there than I have in any major US city as well. I've only ever had a mutual understanding about Paris with someone who also has first hand experience. From what I've heard in America, people need to stop listening to other people's opinions about Paris and go ahead see what it's like because it's likely a lot better there than they think. Whether you're a republican or democrat you will be pleasantly surprised

[@raquelrigal]

As a former French expat in London, Sydney then New York… I can tell you the hurdles are the same (albeit in a different way lol) from the other POV. 😆

[@nevereverstopsinging]

Do tell 😂

[@ashleywilliams6468]

I've followed both Jay & Nathaniel for quite some time now and I'm so happy to see them make a video together. Gladly watched every second of this content! Especially as an American who studied abroad in Paris, I related to so much of what was discussed. Please make more videos together!

[@craighughes536]

Amazing chat... Jay Swanson is just the best most well rounded person, doing his thing.. 🤗

[@MrMazza4321]

4:40 I totally agree with Jay. I was so grateful for watching his 'how to travel on the metro' and 'how to visit the Louvre' helped me so much on my trip to Paris and my girlfriend and I were so happy to all the other vlogs with so much useful info. I'm a strong believe like Jay that with the right start to anything can mean the difference between something awful and something great 👍

[@jayb____]

At 5:40 you're exactly right. Just TRY to speak some French and in every experience I've had, they'll switch to English if they sense it's easier for the both of you. On a few occasions I've insisted we try to continue in French and the individual was helpful in correcting some of my vocabulary and grammar.

[@rivierarocket]

The French today are much more open than when I arrived in 77. Back then if you had to speak English they would blow you off. Thank god for the young French generation that has traveled, used internet, watched movies in English and that their only desire is not to become a "fonctionnaire" The French I work with today are very career oriented and working a lot in the IT industry.

[@SBJBeats]

It goes for most countries I'd say. It such a nice gesture and show of respect to at least lead with the local language first at make them switch if they want.

[@maciekpysz]

Great conversation! Thank you guys! Having lived in Paris and France before I can relate to a lot of the things you are saying. There is something beautiful and inspirational about it, I simply can't get it out of my system! I want to move back! 😊

[@SamFournier]

Ughh the dreaded bank account. I remember thinking I could just walk into the bank and get a card right then and there, oh boy was I wrong😂😂😂. I came here during confinement and was blessed that my process on getting my Carte de Sejour was so easy…. Minus scrambling around for all the paperwork. Tip- buy a printer when you move to France!

[@aceshigh5338]

Loved this video! The convo, the atmosphere, everything. Would love to see more!

[@nathandoyle8311]

lol any damon dominique sub will sympathize with the pain of opening a french bank account

[@remasalhawari8077]

lol right

[@natalillabot7772]

👋🏻

[@nathandoyle8311]

@Scott McWhinnie that's so funny. glad it went well!

[@skellzzed8255]

Really appreciate you filming this conversation. You're teaching me a lot of cool stuff

[@driddy1]

YES! This is the interview we've waited for 🙌🙌🙌 AWESOME 💯💯💯

[@lauradamico6503]

So interesting on everyone's first glance at Paris. I was in awe at the cleanliness of Paris when I was 16, after only having experienced major cities like NYC and Washington, D.C. Perspective is everything.

[@agyos]

A very fun and informative conversation...on a zillion levels! Thank you!

[@cherstithompson3167]

This video couldn’t have come at a better time! So excited to experience these things when I arrive in a month. I’ll be watching this about 3 more times to let all the tips sync in 😂

[@aleaftolive]

Such a great convo! You inspire me to make travel videos Nathan! Hope I can come visit Paris soon :)

[@LudoL78]

Regarding the bank accounts, a few tips: first, you should know that the Eurozone banking system is fully integrated, so you can open a bank account in euros in any bank within the Eurozone and use it in France. You can look up on Google which bank is the easiest and most practical. Second, online banks (such as BforBank in France or N26 in Germany) are a lot less bureaucratic than regular banks (in addition to offering cheaper services). Everything is done remotely and that can facilitates things. All they ask is a valid ID & long term visa, as well as proof of residence.

[@LamplighterScott]

You could go to Tokyo and have almost the exact same conversation on many subjects. I couldn't get a yen denominated credit card until I told my bank rep, if they didn't issue me one, I would be forced to move my company's bank account elsewhere. A credit card was hand delivered to me the next day. Back as a grad student, finding a landlord willing to rent a place at a reasonable level, not the company-paid expat level. Wow! My third time there, as an expat that time, was so much easier. On the other hand, my experience with immigration was always super logical and kind. Same with clearing medical equipment for sale with prefectural office. Despite all that I will always love living in Japan, same as France, just different in certain ways.

[@ivr56_]

More of these type of long form natural conversations. These are fantastic

[@reevu.]

I love the way this is shot in such a natural environment. I feel like any city or bustling metropolitan area will have a lot of these issues. In my experience I have only found something approaching the idyllic inspirational beauty of stories and paintings in places that are sparsely populated and relatively untouched by civilization. And moving anywhere will have its share of trials and tribulations, but that makes it all the more worth it in the end. The work you put in makes you appreciate it so much more. And leaves you with so many good stories to laugh about later.

[@gennalarocca9507]

about a year in Austria as an American and have been talking about the same thing with a guilt/fomo of not doing EVERYTHING all the time because you need to just sit at home-- love the honesty here guys!

[@videomgs]

Great dialogue and perspectives on Paris and France. I appreciated you hanging out it in an outdoor cafe - nice to hear and see Paris alive in the background.

[@arlingtonguy54]

What a great conversation! Subscribed to both channels. I’d love to see more like this.

[@lauriecalery8801]

Two of my favorite guys!! Yeah, so, someone I worked with was all "Paris! Why would you want to go there!? Paris sucks!" Me, "that's your experience, I always enjoy my time in Paris." Cheers! 😎

[@viviantrinh7153]

I like Jay and Nathaniel too!!!

[@gegele1394]

about Paris : STOP THINKING FRANCE = PARIS !!!! PARIS IS GREAT BUT FRANCE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN PARIS !!!! IM FRENCH AND I DONT LIVE IN PARIS, YES IT EXISTS !!!! hahaha I'm telling this because I've been to the USA ans people kept asking me like " so how is pARIS ????" " HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO PARIS ???" like yeah I've been there, when I was 6 or 7 but it's not that big of a deal... I'm from Elsass and this place has so much more to offer as well !! thanks for the vid Nathaniel !!! it has been great hearing your point of views guys !!! keep doing this !!!

[@nomipyar]

Great video and love this conversation between the two of you! Love the balance of audio from your voices and the ambient street noise.

[@rene.rodriguez]

Amazing video. My fiancé and I spent five months traveling throughout Europe just before the pandemic. Six of those weeks were spent between Chamonox-Mont Blanc and Paris. Initially, I did not want to go to Paris. I thought it was overhyped, but my fiancé insisted. I’m glad she did. I get it now. There’s a magic to Paris that is hard to describe, even for the most the most litterateur among us. We are starting to process of moving to France as soon as we can.

[@yowalker5956]

I want it too

[@kristagramer5898]

Great conversation. Paris is very underrated but I am the same in that I have dreamed of always going there all my life and finally three years ago I visited Paris for one week. It was the most magical time and it did not disappoint in anyway. I cannot wait to go back and I would love to be able to retire there.

[@josephchaparro3568]

I am from NYC and i have been living in Tokyo for 10 years. Last month, I visited Paris for the first time with my Japanese wife. I fell in love with it. She didn't. I think it is because of the exact points you talked about when speaking on Japanese visitors. I can not wait to go back to Paris.

[@emmaridley_youtube]

I’m from London where working is similar to the states as it’s full of business people and production, yet it pains me that in the us people feel so pushed to work and don’t get weekends- needs to change

[@ikemyung8623]

Loved this video. I was an expat for 17 years of my life. How difficult or easy "things" are varies greatly by country, but the principles that you speak about are so true! Language is SOOOO huge. I learned Spanish well when I lived in Latin America and my experience was much deeper and richer than my time in Asia (which was much longer) where I never learned more than survival language skills---by biggest regret!

[@PreciousPioneer]

this conversation was so helpful! thanks for sharing:)

[@pppexplorer]

Great, interesting conversation. 1) I am an IT professional living in Canada, and I worked on a program years ago to implement the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) at one of the banks here. It had a significant impact on the bank's processes and systems. 2) When I moved to the U.S. as an international student, it was difficult to open a bank account as well. The U.S. banks were asking for reference letters from two previous U.S. employers. Obviously, since I was new to the country, I couldn't meet that requirement even though I had reference letters from my home country. It was so frustrating. Eventually, I think it was Washington Mutual (which became Chase Bank) that allowed me to open a bank account with them based on a job letter from my university since I had a job on campus, and other documentation I had from my home country. I was so grateful to that bank that I said I would remain a customer with them as long as I lived in the U.S.

[@miamitten1123]

11:32 - 11:55 is as if he discovered racism. Yet, in America, many think EVERYONE is treated equal and cannot comprehend discrimination. 😂

[@SBJBeats]

Hey Mia. Tbh - that is such an acute observation. Though I ALWAYS try to understand and empathize - as a typical white European dude it is honestly almost impossible to imagine the ways in which racism is experienced. Your comment made me think about it in another way. I really appreciate that 👍

[@morganmcmillan8177]

Loved this conversation. Reminded me of my own experience

[@LeslyGarreau]

Put two French discussing living/moving in the USA in a Washington restaurant and you will get the same conversation...

[@charlesblack1086]

I follow you both. Loved Jay's how he got his apartment vlog. Great conversation. Thanks.

[@moo5e471]

Just started my French journey last week. Super overwhelming but I'm determined. And your videos help :D

[@TELLViSiON]

37:00 how in the world you wouldn't want to speak the language of the country you plan to live in...?🤷🏻‍♂️

[@heatherheaney4060]

The bank accounts!!!! It took me 8 months to open a bank account. I went to almost every bank in Montpellier and was denied flat out. With zero reason even with all the documents that the bank required. I am not American and it was impossible for me to get one until my French boyfriend called up the last bank that rejected me and demanded an appointment and a bank account. In the end I was told that I only got my bank account due to him.

[@yowalker5956]

Dang

[@mayanesen1732]

LOOOOOVED this vid!! pls make more like this!!! :)

[@marcusjames1973]

Really enjoyed this video. Loved the part about trying to learn French in the States :-) and lots more

[@EvaTravelFilms]

Loved watching this video! I'm a French living in the US so it was interesting to hear about what it's like to be American in Paris!

[@fannyfichter3213]

Super interesting discussion (and I'm speaking from a Parisian pov) !

[@foreverlearningfrench]

J’ai vraiment apprécié cette vidéo Nathaniel et Jay. Surtout la conversation sur les différences dans le système éducatif entre les États-Unis et la France. J’ai eu l’impression d’être à Paris en regardant cette vidéo.

[@nextlifetimebrendan3940]

Hi, your family history is so interesting it would be cool if you did an ancestry test/ built your family tree and interviewed your family members and their stories and ancestors stories

[@jainthorne4136]

I've followed Jay for several years. It's good to see him on another channel.

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

I spoke French before arriving to live in Paris but Quebecois French. Haha! Had to lose that accent in a hurry! From grey, wet & sorta mostly kinda locked down Ireland! ☘️☮️🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮️☘️

[@saidalekaj4991]

I was looking for the pizza of my dreams too just like Jay 😄 great conversation between you too. I am rewatching this video after visiting Paris and I appreciate your views. 😊

[@ivanescalante832]

Been watching Jay for years and now both of you doing this, Excelente! Paris and France in general are great. Many of my misconceptions disappear once I went on a trip. My partner and I always say if we have to pick to cities to pack and go: London and Paris. I’m Latin and I didn’t liked Spain at all. So keep living and developing great content. Hope both of you keep safe. Saludos desde Puerto Rico!!!

[@The-MikeManson]

مبدع ومحبوب ودائما استلهم افكاري منك انت ملهم

[@jeanpeuxplus7257]

OK as a french, I can see a cultural shock here: eating canneloni while drinking Coca Cola 😂😂 You have no excuse 😂😂

[@rivierarocket]

Some habits die hard. But he's a newcomer!

[@BP-or2iu]

Moving to Paris was never an option for me after I saw what kind of apartment I would have to have. Even making a high salary. Unacceptable. Something I noticed from my time in France (mostly not Paris) was that its much more uniform throughout the country as far as the laws and how everything works. Not culture necessarily but like when y’all were talking about schools... schools in the US are radically different state to state and even within the same state. There’s no real federal legislation that governs schools. You could go to a really challenging, difficult high school in a major city in Texas or California and then go to a school where you barely do anything in rural Wisconsin or something. From my experiencing living in a few countries in Europe, the US is far less standardized across the country and thus much harder to generalize in conversations like these. Maybe museums or something are more expensive in NY, but rent is not. NY rent has nothing on Paris. And I didn’t even know they made apartments that small in Paris. 2-300 sq ft. And for 2-3k Euros. It’s insane.

[@rivierarocket]

2-300 sq ft? Look at the agences immobiler (rental agency). They re renting apts that are 7 square meters.

[@BP-or2iu]

@@rivierarocket Dude, 70sq meteres is fucking ridiculous. That’s a closet.

[@rivierarocket]

@@BP-or2iu Sorry I meant 7 sq meters. it's disgusting

[@hernandezjoseangel00]

I would love to see more brother interaction, possibly having him go through same routines as you.

[@mathewbrooks]

That was great!

[@torimatoga9008]

As a Montréaler who’s been to Paris several times, I’d love to see both of you do a video on Montreal. I related to a lot of this, and I love Paris.

[@ManassehBB]

Loved watching this talk. I love Paris, I mean I went for a day trip running around with my siblings it was great🗼. Hearing a perspective on what it's like to live there wouldn't put me off, if I was better at speaking French. Being from London I'm used dirt, rats and pigeons 😅.

[@sararichardson737]

I was waiting on this collab’

[@TMD3453]

People like me have been attracted to Paris for its beauty-its architecture- and culture-food, language, museums, theater. Also, its social life- parks, cafes, even the metro. That’s a lot! How to make that more part of everyday life if you don’t live there? I guess it’s a mindset about the beauty and value of everyday life, and making it happen. When I’m successful at that, I’ll let you know..and see you in Paris!!🇫🇷🇺🇸😎

[@Kamouille]

Nice choice of restaurant, very good food and not overly priced for the neighborhood.

[@larag1764]

Came over from Jay's channel. Hi from Australia 🌺

[@mathieufrancois6054]

About difficulties on admin. It happened to me and I am French because I have lived in London for 13 years. My take on this is that the French are wary and do not trust straight away, like it can be in another countries. So they need to have a point of reference. for jobs, they need to know your degree, your experience, someone you worked with. but really for anything as long as something shows a point of connection that can bring trust it always helps, like bringing a friend to the bank in your case. My mom had to talk to her banker to get him to open me an account that could receive inheritance, they had offered me a savings account that couldn't before, that and nothing else. Especially since French people are not a people that gets into a lot of debt (apart from housing and cars) or at least not as much as in other countries, banks are colder at the idea that you may get in debt and leave. It's a pain but you gotta know that if you want to do things, and be persistant, it's soul crushing sometimes and I hope it will evolve a bit.

[@GoodCourage]

It's not the fault of the French banks that it's hard for you to open an account. It's the fault of the US congress that passed FATCA. That's where the blame lies.

[@islandwitt1]

👍🏻😁 found you from Jay’s connection. Subscribed. 👍🏻😁 great info btw.

[@amberlol7]

I experience similar randomness of bureaucracy in China too. I went to 4 different banks trying to open an account... including going back to the same banks several times. Each individual branch I went to had a different set of rules depending on who served you 🙈spent 1.5 hours applying for a bank account in one place, only to be rejected because of the ‘policy’. I asked what the policy was and they said they can’t tell me 😂😉

[@krazyshady902]

If everything goes well, I'll be visiting Paris in early October for a week. I'm very excited to visit but it's definitely not a place I want to stay for an extended period of time

[@TMD3453]

Good point about dealing with difficult behavior or evil. Note it and move on! Cheers 🇫🇷🇺🇸

[@billy06fr]

Concerning your bank account issue, to be honest EU banks refuses US citizens because of the US fatca regulations No one wanna work for the IRS for free 🙂

[@Pointillax]

As a french who lived in Canada and briefly the US, I can assure you that some random bureaucracy rules came up at pretty much every step, bank account, insurance, lease, getting a work number. I think you're less likely to notice those events when in you home country. That being said, our bureaucracy is a mess, true.

[@youngnope4664]

I wish you guys had used lav mics for this recording. Such a fun and informative convo!

[@bryancoburn4094]

Yes, I get the feeling that businesses in France don't care if they make money. I was in a upscale shop in Nice, was ready to spend 200 euros on a sweatther and the clerk asked us to leave because it was her lunch and she was alone. We did not return. Or places are closed in the middle of the day If you watch Jay Swanson videos you will see it happens a lot where places are closed, or won't serve you unit they are officially open.

[@Juandr47]

You guys finally met each other!

[@californiaglo9666]

I always wanted to live there. Thanks to Jay I learned about all the red tape. Now I am happy to visit once a year for a few weeks.

[@jahanas22]

Great collab.

[@esgee3829]

the bald guy has a lot of words. a lot. also, we need the robbery story.

[@sherrieshatzen3801]

There are big differences between France & the US--culturally, politically, educationally. In both cases there are irritants & in both cases there are advantages. Depends on the individual. I found that I fit better into French life. I love culture--museums, history, rituals, tradition. These are things that seem to be more valued in France than in the US. At times it feels to me as if France is about quality where the US is more about quantity. The US likes to present itself as valuing the individual over the masses. My experience is that France actually values the individual more than the masses in everyday life. There is less entitlement in France. In spite of the big events that make the news I find France to be less violent overall. There is so much more to say but it really comes down to an individual fit. Curiosity, willingness to observe local custom, gratitude all make any "foreign" country a more positive experience.

[@blissss0]

I was able to open an account in Paris with no issue awhile ago. I guess it depends on the person you get. If I were to move back, to Paris or Italy, I might open an online EU bank account, they are supposed to be easy to open.

[@kristinsaysgah4257]

When I went to Paris, I loved it. I don't know how anyone could hate it. It's just the best city in the world.

[@massagewithmike]

Love these simple videos, I’ll make Canadian in Paris someday 😅

[@monkigear2177]

Ok new title "Love is a battlefield 🎶"

[@msybadack]

Regarding bank accounts, You should try Nickel acocunt or neobanks :)

[@laurazweig1464]

Yay Jay!!

[@jkassarian]

Great conversation thank you for sharing. But as far bureaucratic madness try being a French... in America.

[@michaelhoilman6897]

I first visited Paris in 2018, I experienced the rats i noticed in the subway. Not deterred AT ALL. Beautiful city with all its faults. I will live there in the not so distant future. It is inevitable....simple because I have made that decision and will not be denied. I love this episode, if I can call it that. Cheers from NC, Usa.

[@LudoL78]

Bienvenue !

[@edwardwiot6265]

Interesting! I spent 2 months in France; actually I was was based in Rouen , but went to Paris several weekends. I speak very, very limited French but I tried and was treated very kindly be almost everyone. One weekend I wanted to visit all the places in Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. Ironically the only place I encountered rudeness was at the American Bar.

[@carlabruni5223]

Never underestimate language (and all the meaning that goes with it, which non-natives do often not have a clu of, understandibly), plus 6 to 10 years of permanent hypnosis in a certain cultural, emotional, psychological and sociological environment, called upbringing.