THINGS YOU DON'T BUY ANYMORE IN FRANCE | Things that affected my cost of living in Paris France

People often ask me to compare the cost of living in Wellington to the Paris cost of living. The thing is, there's more to finances than just the base expenses of living in Paris (rent, electricity)... there's what you spend your money on (or no longer spend your money on) because it's in the culture.
This video is all about the things you don't need to buy anymore when you're living in Paris / France. It's another insight into my lifestyle in Paris France from when I lived there for 6 years until June 2019, the random things I don't buy anymore. I think the way people spend their money is a fascinating insight into their culture so buckle up for some more interesting French culture shocks and insights into the French culture.
If you are thinking of moving to Paris are wondering "how much does it cost to live in Paris", feel free to ask me down in the comments below!
Otherwise, are you surprised by these things I don't buy anymore? Would that change your lifestyle significantly?
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[@zoolooz2327]

Pour ce qui est des tenues portées au mariage, je ne pense pas que ca soit des tenues que l'on porte tous les jours et que l'on met pour le mariage, mais plutôt une tenue spécialement achetée pour le mariage mais qui pourra sans problème être réutilisée après dans la vie de tous les jours. Beaucoup de monde trouve inutile d'investir dans une tenue que l'on ne mettra qu'une seule fois et tellement extravagante qu'elle est impossible a porter hors grandes occasions.

[@amandinesonck8411]

C'est un peu en train de changer avec les endroits où tu peux louer une robe pour l'occasion

[@opm2309]

Il est aussi mal vu (surtout pour les femmes) d’être trop bien habillé car il ne faut pas faire d’ombre à la mariée haha

[@holo5081]

Totallement d'accord ! J'ai toujours réutilisé mes robes achetées pour des mariages/anniversaires parce que ça serait du gâchis de les oublier. La seule fois où j'ai acheté une robe un peu extravagante que je ne pense pas remettre un jour, c'était pour le mariage de ma soeur mais sinon c'est full recyclage mdr.

[@cgmonkey]

En France on est assez près de nos sous et souvent j'ai remarqué que les tenus doivent pouvoir être réutilisé au boulot ou ailleurs .

[@holo5081]

@@cgmonkey Et c'est pas plus mal ! Réutiliser ses fringues c'est économique et écologique, donc pourquoi se priver ^^

[@Ankha38]

The only thing you need in cooking stuff it's a raclette device ;-)

[@Vacanciere]

So true ! 🤣

[@telemachin]

Every couples i know, own a raclette device.

[@Petitmoi74]

Et le caquelon pour la fondue... sauf si c'est "exclusif" aux Savoies, etc...

[@MK-ni5kb]

Un bilig. Le reste est superflu :)

[@martialg9425]

and a rice cooker for curry dishes ^^

[@31browny]

I am French. I live near Paris. I just moved back recently after 4 years in the UK. I totally agree with all your points. The gym membership culture, the knick knacks, the effortless hair and makeup and so on... I don't do my hair. I keep my nails clean and natural. I wear my summer dresses to weddings. And I cook every day at dinnertime. Happy with my simple life!!

[@jasper.8988]

Hello sır. I saw your reply to the discussion. I am also a student and i am presently schooling in Türkiye but i'ad love to school in FRANCE. I will be so glad if you can be of help to me. I shall ve expecting your earnest reply. MERCI

[@ButacuPpucatuB]

Understated, simple elegance is how I would sum it up. The French don’t go overboard with makeup, clothes, decorations, and even the food. I love it!!!!!! It speaks to my soul. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’m not in competition. I find what impresses my native French friends is something that comes from the heart - like a home made meal. I hope the rest of the world can follow their example.

[@petersmith2040]

ButacuP PucatuB Unfortunately, the rest of the world will never follow French culture of understated elegance because they follow Hollywood American-Pop Culture where almost everything are fakes & over exaggerated.

[@bernadettehynes-cafferkey3917]

Agree with you, simple is best and not boring , what's the point spending hours doing make up, hair etc

[@anitathompson6571]

Not a gym culture, I love that! In Paris your workout is just walking to get where you need to go. We love vacations there as we walk, walk, walk!

[@snowggirl]

Anita Thompson yes I see books on walking vacations for Europe all the time. Here 🇨🇦 you might see hiking vacations but never walking

[@Stug9680]

@@NotEvenFrench I never make sport. I try to walk 45 min each day and eat ealthy, it's enough.

[@mjBossy3737]

Also, specially in Paris, people like working out at "parcs" and "jardins" . . .

[@noddybebetrain4662]

that's it! physical exertion is integrated into your daily routine, so a gym is an unnecessary expense. and for a country with not much of a gym culture they are healthier than their counterparts in the anglo american world.

[@noddybebetrain4662]

@pprc crzohuh, fake information, and i studied medicine, so go back to your BS lair

[@nicoise1421]

Hey, I am french and i wanted to react about the weeding outfit . In France we have this idea of not wanting to risk of attracting to much attention on us when this attention should be on the bride ! So it’s like we are all ( especially for girls cause all the men generally wear suit) trying to be dressed up the less extravagant, i don’t know if you get what i mean , like it would be so disrespectful to come and catch everyone’s eyes on your dress ! So You have to be dressed formal ! 😉

[@vivouille]

Being french, male and loving to be be classy, i alway try not to go to far on that road since i do not want to have the groom unconfortable of beeing less noticeable... And for girls one of the rule would be do not wear white dresses.

[@martialg9425]

That's a simple forme of respect for the maried couple important day . You can call this behavior " etiquette" .You are not the stars of the show , they are .

[@jasper.8988]

Hey wendy, watsaap i am Solomon by name an aspirant to Universite dé parıs. I will come over to france for studies soon.. Can i knw you more?. THANKS

[@FlorentPlacide]

Everything you said is true in a general way but, as a Frenchman, I can see a lot of counterexamples to what you said about fashion, makeup and cooking. The gym culture is expanding dramatically, with its share of vanity, showing off and social validation. Concerning lunch in the workplace : since most of the companies are below the legal threshold for a canteen a lot of employees has to bring its food to work (Tupperware are not dead ! ;) ) Anyway, thanks for your videos. I usually take time to watch them as they bring an interesting foreign point of view on my country. Keep up the good work ! :)

[@marcmarc8524]

Not sure. Many companies offer Tickets restaurant.

[@FlorentPlacide]

@@marcmarc8524 True. But I don't know if they're enough to cover every meal. And since you can use them to buy groceries I think a lot of people prefer to bring their meal and use the "money" for their household.

[@lili-victorine]

I'm French and I live in Lyon. I believe that most of the things you noticed in this video are unnecessary (like having a big car, big parties, lots of kitchen stuffs ...). Moreover, living in the traditional American way by buying those unnecessary things cause the global issues. Sorry for my English :/ Thanks for your video ! 😘

[@ntakovacj3644]

You do know that she isn't judging Parisians for not having those things, don't you? Just wondering.

[@HopeGardner3amed]

She is not American, she is a New Zealander

[@tomfrazier1103]

American large cars were a result of our native traditions. Europeans shamed the legislatures into passing laws against them. Trucks were excepted, so the plethora of large trucks & SUVs. " Livin' large" is a component of the "American dream". The E.U. is the culmination of the French/German dream of continental domination, left over from Charlemagne, the "First Reich". Finding final expression in les guerres de XIX et XX eme C. Europe.

[@Mn-xh9ps]

we are a part of the problem too, a bit easy to blame US. We are better (on this point), but we are very bad too. Dont dream.

[@jasper.8988]

Hello. My name is Solomon, i am presently schooling in Türkiye but i'ad love to school in FRANCE. I will be so happy if you can be of help to me.I shall be expecting your earnest reply. MERCI

[@lou6584]

Leftovers = reused $ Gym = we walk $ birthday=being together family/friend/neighbors

[@estellemarchand3327]

The minimalistic trend is basically the french way of living.

[@ShalineeinFrance]

I agree with you completely about wearing heels. I haven't bought heels in like the 10 years I have lived in France, whereas the city I lived before in, wearing heels was normal every day. Also agree on hair. Actually I find it expensive to get things done to my hair and prefer to visit parlours when I go travelling abroad! Much love from France! xx

[@melodyrossdeutsch3678]

I think alot if things are specific for paris. For example: if you go more to the country side, ALL the grandparents have stuff to displax abd you‘ll even get those plates as gifts hahaha

[@sossow2526]

Yes but it's only old people in fact

[@corydorastube]

@@sossow2526 No, my ex has loads of ornaments and knick-knack son display.

[@IssyKew]

Your description of French beauty and fashion was pretty much a perfect description of Australia (and probably elsewhere, incl NZ) in the early 90s - androgynous beauty, no dresses (it was hard to even find shops that stocked them!), no heels, no handbags, you had to look effortless and if you looked like you spent more than 15min getting ready for a Saturday night out, you would feel embarrassed and awkward. People talk about the 90s and grunge or 'no makeup makeup' but it was actually more cultural than that - you had to look like you didn't try too hard and any sort of self vanity was really looked down upon. I remember taking a 'selfie' head shot for a boyfriend who moved overseas and being soooo embarrassed by the audacity and vanity of taking a photo of myself! My how times have changed!

[@anne-mariev.3295]

IssyKew Wow I live in Oz and would have never guessed that! Those were the days... I find the duck-lipped, fake tanned, fake nailed, slutty dressed girls here so depressing... It’s like a country of mini Kardashians when I go out and look around me.

[@tomfrazier1103]

That ideal of "effortlessly hot" is a universal, I think. It was evident in California in the 1980s. There was an old pre-War comic strip that featured a hot blonde hillbilly girl. Probably others, Art Historians, are you out there?

[@ParlonsAstronomie]

What do you mean by androgynous beauty ? We are far from androgynous in France

[@IssyKew]

Parlons Astro 'Beauty' specifically as in makeup snd skincare /beauty industry. Makeup application not culturally characterised as overtly 'feminine'. Instead, natural or no makeup. Androgynous in that the beauty/makeup style could apply to either sex.

[@ParlonsAstronomie]

@@IssyKew So we don't have androgynous beauty in France that's my point

[@astrocat88]

You are informative/insightful, funny and honest. I enjoy your channel very much. Thank you!!

[@snowggirl]

What surprised me.was I had an ankle injury last summer in Arcachon. I saw 2 doctors, a radiologist, got xrays, a brace and prescriptions. Total cost a visitor was 80 euro which came months later as a paper bill. This would have cost$$$$ elsewhere

[@solangelauthier2381]

Something wrong here. All the treatments you got cannot have costed a total of 80€. And I have never heard of a French doctor or radiologist sending his bill afterwards ! I am French, live in France and I am 72 so believe my experience. The lowest price for a GP in France in 2019 is 25€ (this is the tariff of "Securité Social") but they often charge more. So 2 doctors is already a minimum of 50€...

[@jide7765]

@Michelle it looks the same to me. Public hospital send the bills afterward. MJ should have been to the Emergency service.

[@TheGrandy123]

In general, it is "de mauvais goût" to show off. The less is the best. In Paris a lot of things are expensive especially apartment. For cars you have so many options with public transportation that you dont have to buy a car. 🤷‍♂️

[@isiartdotcom]

Thank you, I loved this video. We spend a lot of time on France and have also found that we cook with the basics too which I love. Not having to have fish sauce, rice wine, as all of these dishes are not served in the home. I don't even crave them there. It's all about the beautiful seasonal produce that determines the meal we would eat, and crave for that matter. I do much prefer the mono culture aspect of living in France as they know who they are and delight in their culture. Makes life easier, slower and healthier. Oh and yes those cakes! 😃

[@maxxie84]

Good video. I’m French but lived abroad for a few years. I agree with most of your points, though a good amount of them are specific to big cities and I would say maybe more generally big European cities. In Dublin and London it can be the same for transports, for healthcare, for kitchen space, for food accessibility... In the same time, my family in France is not from Paris at all and they would have a lot of junk memorabilia and kitchen tools to cook. I mean a lot more than I do :p

[@ritagaston1556]

Thanks Rosie. ..really good info. Of course, when one gets older we come to these ways of living intuitively. Trying too hard stinks of effort And we give ourselves the joy of Being instead of Doing.

[@Perola34]

Your video is quite spot on. About dressing: it’s something that always bothered me when I was living in France. I love dressing well, fancy and feeling sexy but when you go out like that people are looking at you as if you’re crazy. And I couldn’t find any colourful clothes. Fashion was kinda boring and repetitive to me in France. I understand the effortless look but I found fashion happiness when I was living in London. You have more freedom to express yourself and nobody will look at you funny.

[@simplycj5460]

This was really interesting. Great topic choice!

[@susanzumback7711]

Thank you for recommending Almost French,what a good read,you must’ve felt you could’ve written it w all of the parallels!!❤️😂

[@laetitiad7181]

Lots of people do bring their lunch to work. You can pay in supermarkets with your ticket resto for food. So you shop and cook and bring your food. But maybe not in Paris. The rest of France, a lot more.

[@romanyimesgen6136]

Laetitia D I don’t understand that part .what happen if you’re vegan. You cannot bring your lunch . If you do you’ll be ridiculed. That sounds big-time French snobbery.

[@laetitiad7181]

@@romanyimesgen6136 Absolutely not. I said that a lot of people DO bring their lunch at work. When I was living in France I went eating lunch in a restaurants only for occasions. Most of the time we brought our lunch and eat together in the office's kitchen.

[@georgiafrye2524]

I just got back from France Bourdeau area for two weeks and saw one nail salon. Food eating ran about15 Euros, but tips included. We tipped if the server was really helpful and friendly. All fresh and very good.I love the Pharmacies there.

[@camillelg7894]

Bordeaux you mean ?

[@86am]

Please do not tip outside of the US. It gives the impression that Americans throw money around.

[@gengis737]

@@86am To tip a small amount is a mark of politeness in France. Not 15% of the bill, rather 1 to 5 euros for the quality of the service.

[@aeolia80]

I will not give up my baking supplies when I move to France. I made it work in my super small kitchen here in Korea that doesn't even have an oven so I have to use a toaster oven, and I'll make it work in France. Baking is therapy for me.

[@aeolia80]

I'm also super picky about my North American baked goods that I really don't trust foreign bakeries to even try to do it right, unless the baker making them at the foreign bakery is from North America or trained there.

[@alexandrepepion2584]

@@aeolia80 well that means french bakeries made in other countries are bad aswell ... Depends who's baking it

[@lotstolearn5350]

Perhaps learn to make pain au levain ...

[@mistice7]

Hello, I don't agree for the first part about lunch. I think it's might be true for Paris but for the rest of France it's the contrary. Same for the appliance. But I agree about the rest. Maybe about the curry, French people do not like anything spicy at all, probably why you struggled to find different kind of curries.

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

I agree with you on the tupperware thing ; a lot of people in province bring their lunch to work, I know my boyfriend and I do ; same for almost all my colleagues. Some people keep the "ticket resto" for other purchases. I think it depends on you canteen, the quality of the food and if you prefer to cook yourself. Anyway very interesting video Rosie, I feel proud of how minimalistic we look from a foreigner's perspective !

[@clairebreuleux2928]

Curry isn't part of french culture simply because India isn't a french colony but a British one. In the Comonwealth countries, I don't think you'll eat couscous for instans cause Northen Africa is not part of the British colony. But if you're looking for curry in France you can find it , maybe not different sorts but at list one.

[@Jcrams]

Yeah I live in Brittany and was super surprised by that! Lots of Tupperwares in my office!

[@carinedemolin7832]

Loads of french people eat spicy food. My brother in law slathers tons of spicy sauce on his food. Go to a chip shop in northern france, they all have a range of spicy sauces. In the south, piments d'espelette are a local delicacy. Yeah they don't eat currys like we do in the UK. But the takeaway culture has not invaded france yet. We also don't eat out anywhere near as much as in foreign countries. Most people cook homemade dinner everyday and a lot of people go home for lunch.

[@Arkayjiya]

@@clairebreuleux2928 The reason France manage to keep having a very reputable and good cuisine is becase we're famous for stealing food from all over the world to mix into our own which correlates with having restaurant from a wide variety of origins. We of course don't have anywhere as many Indian restaurant as the UK because as you mention, India was a British colony, but we have a lot of them. In fact the two most popular type of foreign cuisine in France is Italian and Chinese, both of which were not our colonies. Indian is definitely among the most popular non traditionally French cuisine here with cuisine from China, Japan, Maroc and Italy (and you'll notice that only one of those was a French colony). You don't really need to look for Indian food in half of France, you'll find it easily without looking for it. Note that is only true for the cities, it's much harder in the rest of France (but that's true of almost any type of cuisine that's not traditional French cuisine, including cuisine from the colonies).

[@surlespasdondine]

I know many French people who use Tupperware (love how they pronounce Tupperware btw; p) For me Tupperware containers and ziplock bags are to keep leftovers from dinner or lunch in the fridge or freezer for another time, especially with kids I could not imagine living without them. I would imagine that people in France do batch cooking too? My sister lives in France and she sure does...

[@nadbwah282]

Of course we do ! What is said in this video is not accurate. Few people live like it's described in this video and the rest of us we really are same as you guys 😄

[@nadbwah282]

Not true. Many many many people bring their own food that they cooked to work using Tupperware or Bento boxes. I witnessed that and I worked in many Parisian companies over the years.

[@Charles25192]

In my company I have both canteen and restaurant tickets. I use tupperware to bring food from home and I use the tickets to buy groceries or when I'm on hollydays.

[@Charles25192]

@@charline5620 Many people take food from home and use the tickets in other opportunities!

[@sarahdelvigne4602]

haha loved it, I'm French , living in Nz for the last 10 years. You are so right! They are a few thing that I forgot about

In Australia, I had to add health to my budget...coming from France medical care is really expensive here especially the dentist!

[@bionity4749]

You're hell of an observer. It's hard to really find out this things when you live your life everyday as a native french. Earing you talk about all this "specificities" is quite enjoyable :) Don't really know why, maybe an ego thing. But thank you.

[@Sidodo]

For the dressing up part, I would had that it depends on where you come from in France For example when you come from the French islands (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island) and Guyane, people like to « overdress » and a lot is never enough :p So I feel like when you are on the continent and you go to parties where the people mostly comes from the island, everybody would overdress, and even have heels on, even if the party is in Paris ! Sorry for the English and love your videos ;)

[@martialg9425]

what i am gona might not applied for the réunion island .because i do not know the culture of the island and the etnic mix is différent from westindies and guyana . but there is 2 cultural aspect about the overdress and gold wearing in westindies and guyana which might make sens for it. -the first is a social status affirmation toward metropolitan france .Acting like a Rodshillde meaning you are good as or better than " the former béké - 2nd is the social status inside the Matriarcal socity and cultur here Women "show" there power ranking in a way : " thooses who have thooses who know " ( informations always mean power) i will add as 3rd is more freedom and less judgement : " you go girl you do you "

[@mariedeclercq2716]

Nice video :) indeed a lot of the things you mentioned are considered "superflu" so not included in the regular budget! the type of expense that I found weird leaving in the UK is to hire someone to clean your home windows (outside). Such a strange concept that only exists in France for "not-home" buildings... but once you see that most home windows can only be half open, it makes more sense.

[@dayle5101]

This is really interesting! Thanks

[@anne-mariev.3295]

I live in Oz and 100% agree with all of your points. I’m pretty sure I’m underpaid compared to my Oz colleagues, but I’m very happy with my level of disposable income because my spending pattern has remained very French for the most part - although I do get my nails done regularly, own a (2nd hand) car and have a gym membership. Because when you spend money on all of the stuff you’ve mentioned, plus have 3+ kids, a big home, change your car often, have pay TV to watch sports games etc, for sure you need loads more money than us French. Next step for me: ask for a pay rise!!! 😆💪🏼

[@pimakpimak]

The kitchen accessories, the size of the home, displaying souvenirs. All of that is really a thing for Paris because in the rest of the country, we have bigger place, and so we are able to do all of that.

[@simonewoodwell7354]

Great video! Surprised by 2 things. Not dressing up for weddings and not having knick knacks

[@QuiestErnestine]

Hello Rosie! I live in Canada and I am from France. Since being here, I started to buy food containers! I have an entire collection and I was wondering why I never did that in France but your video reminded me why :-) I also started to go to the gym... I think the reason why is that if I don't go to the gym, I don't exercise. In France I would walk a lot, or play sport with my friends or just go outside in the nature and that would do it. And I don't know, maybe it was also a way to adapt to the new culture. The things people buy a lot I don't understand here is food and coffee. Buying you coffee every morning at Starbucks is just so much more expensive than making your own and bring it to work. Same for the food, people do a lot of take out for lunch, expensive meals everyday. Instead I bring leftovers to work and I think I save a lot of money that way. And my cooking is gooooood :-) When you started speaking about beauty I started to miss France a lot. I often feel "under made up" here (if that's a word), I still like very classic clothes and natural make up. Although I have started to go out with outfits and make up I would never wear outside of my house in France! In a way I am being more bold. Anyway, watching your videos make me want to go back live in France. I think you are very sensitive about French culture and that warms up my heart. I would love you to talk about kiwi culture soon! Keep doing what you do!

[@paranoidrodent]

I was just wondering which location in Canada you are in since there's a fair bit of difference between local habits between regions. Your description reminds me of back when I lived in Toronto. Food containers are pretty universal in North America though. The gym thing varies a lot by city and in some places, just going out and being active is the norm. As for beauty norms, I grew up exposed to French beauty norms via mass media (I'm Quebecois) and always appreciated the simple elegance thing (and quite a few folks I know consider it very tasteful) but we do tend to be a bit more casual (or dressed up) depending on the occasion.

[@heyitsAxone]

I never understood the take out starbucks either, if i'm having coffee I'm making it at home, drinking it sitting down with breakfast or at my desk, then getting ready, then going to work. Having to buy it makes you so much more likely to be late for an extra expensive cup of sugar ; if it's not at home, I'll at least take it at a proper café

[@marievigneron5068]

I agree with everything you said being linked to the french culture (lack of gym culture, the natural look when it comes to beauty/make up....) except for the part on kitchen gadget ! Most people/families have robots, mixers etc in their kitchen, I think your remark closely linked to Paris and its small flats ;)

[@JeanFB16]

Fun video, Rosie! This is just an aside, but as you were speaking of the differences, particularly in dress (dressing up or not, etc) - I was thinking of the video you did with your partner that was kind of a skit format, with you dressing a certain way and he was looking at you like "Are you really going out like that? Are you really going to do that?" If he is willing, it would be hysterical to do that with the roles reversed now that you are in NZ.... things he does that Kiwis think are so odd. Just a suggestion. So happy that you are continuing!

[@studiocelestedesign]

Rosie these are so fascinating! Just in these simple everyday things it spells out such a world of difference between the cultures. In general it seems there is a little more ease and simplicity attempted in France. (Offset by the stupidity of French paperwork or the frustration of service or making home repairs happen!) 😂 They simplify everything but those.

[@ShroomAndMoss]

I live in Paris' suburbs and I definetely have kitchen gadgets and food processors, etc. I do think we don't have the culture of having all of the kitchen tools out on the working tops, but Paris make it even more hard to do so :) Finding this video particularly interesting ! xxx

[@michelbeauloye4269]

Hello Rosie! I want to point out that not every business has a cantine nor offers restaurant tickets to its employees. In fact, most small companies do have a cantine but does not offer meals. This cantine is normally equipped with a large fridge and a microwave oven. So, (mainly) the workers take their meal from home and warm it up and eat it together with colleagues at a long table where all sorts of discussions take place.

[@zxszert573hg46]

As a french I find it mysterious/strange that people from the english speaking countries always have a coffe or something to eat in hands while walking outside. They must spend so much monney for that

[@lemons2001]

I was quite impressed at the strong gym culture that there is in other countries. Oh and french people are always shook when an american comes in for a hug 😂

[@paranoidrodent]

And Americans are baffled by la bise.

[@rosaf19]

Hmm... I'm American, and on two different occasions I've had the experience of a French person thinking it was appropriate to hug me, because they'd been taught that's what Americans do. I was "shook" myself, because for me, that's absolutely only for close friends and family -- not new acquaintances.

[@tomfrazier1103]

The "hug thing" is a California habit, we believed was "European" I grew up in the '70s-'80s as it was taking hold there. Never underestimate the "Euro-envy"of American "Tastemakers". American hatreds are directed at these people, at times it only looks like we are Eurobashing.

[@sultanoliv]

Great video. So true. A couple of insights from a an expat parisian native: Parisians would rather go all out on the food and drink quality than on fancy decorations. With clothes and decor it's all about being classy and being eccentric is much less accepted. Otherwise it will be judged "vulgaire" or "chelou". On sports in general gym is less popular for sure but people tend to jog or practice sports in clubs (football, tennis, squatch, judo etc...). So many cheap options with subsidised sports clubs. Love your work.

[@carinedemolin7832]

Agreed. Team sports are a lot bigger in France. In the UK most people give up team sports when they leave school.

[@laba2246]

For the last point, yes in France you do not pay for your health care (doctors, dentists, specialists, meds, surgery...) because you actually paid it in advance in your salary taxes. To make it simple, if your gross salary is 2000 euros, you'll actually receive +/- 1500 euros net, and the total cost for your boss is basically the double of your net income : you receive 1500 and he pays an extra 1500 (500 from your gross salary + 1000 for his part) for the retirement system and social security. And i love this system, even if people tend not to care about the real costs of health treatments as they feel like it's free. The 40E you paid each month was for the "mutuelle". Basically the social security pays 70% of the bill and your mutuelle pays the 30% left. Now every company in France has an obligation to provide a mutuelle to their employees (and your 40E was your part of the price) and for those who cant afford it : governement gives you one for free (social security + mutuelle!) Readers of this comment can now understand why the majority of the 3rd world wants to come and live here !

[@noddybebetrain4662]

yes, we want to live there, but only those of us who understand democratic socialism. because in Singapore, for a foreigner with an annual salary of 65,000eur you only pay 7% in taxes and you even pay that after the financial year ends, so you have all your money with you. but people are greedy and poor at handling their finances, you can only imagine how many professionals struggle to pay the 7% tax. not to mention any health emergencies where i have seen people crowdfunding because they couldn't pay the 30,000eur hospital bill. there are always tradeoffs but for myself i don't really care if my take home pay goes down 30% if it means i don't have much to worry about being admitted to the hospital or about retiring.

[@laba2246]

@@noddybebetrain4662 Singapore is not part of the 3rd world, is it ?! I forgot to mention that those 1500 Euros netto are BEFORE TAX, which are not high with such a salary. If you earn 65,000Euros netto per year in France, taxes are 30% of it ! Plenty of possibiities exist to pay less but it's too long to explain here. For example, you can donate up to 7,500 Euros per year to a political party, and 66% of what you donate will be taken off your tax.

[@noddybebetrain4662]

@@laba2246 i forgot to mention, i come from southeast asia but lived in singapore for years, so i was comparing the two

[@noddybebetrain4662]

@@laba2246 ah similar to tax breaks in the US, but in my case i would rather pay my full taxes to the state so it goes to 'everyone' rather than donate to a particular party like PS or LREM

[@laba2246]

@@noddybebetrain4662 I understand what you mean, the thing is that the 'everyone' you talk about is actually 2 groups : the super rich people (political system included) and the super poor people, especially FOREIGN super poor people ! 2 examples which are ABSOLUTELY TRUE despite what hysterical leftist liars will say : (this 1st example exists in my own family) Wherever you come from, you just need to get a passport from ANY european (EEE) country to come and live legally in France without any visa or obligation whatsoever. And if you manage to find a job and get paid ONCE the minimum salary (1204Euros netto), even if you arrived in France 3 months ago, when you reach the age of retirement (67 years old for a full pension), with the solidarity system you will receive a retirement pension of 868 Euros per month FOR EVER till you die (and free health care of course !). Do you know any other country in the whole world where you can have that ? I dont. Other example : Whatever your age, come from any shitty/muslim/middle-aged country in the world and say (or pretend) that you are a persecuted gay or lesbian in your country : France will welcome you and will give a free appartment + money every month. Does Singapore or any other country in the world offer such an unbelievable possibility ? NO. Ultra Rich people, as for them, pay much much less taxes than they should through a system especially created for them and, in fine, BY them. Big companies such as Carrefour, Whirlpool etc receive MILLIONS of Euros from the government through a thing called "CICE", sort of "competitivity act", VOTED BY A "SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT" (president François Hollande from PS party) and do you think they prevent themselves from firing thousands of employees and relocating their factories in low-wages countries ?? Not at all !! And of course, who pays for all that ? The basic French worker who has only 3 rights : pay more and more for the others, receive less and less and of course shut the f+ck up, or it means that you are a fascist nazi racist antisemitic homophobic extreme-right selfish heartless ugly monster ! In France, the great idea of Solidarity has been turned into a huge scam for the biggest and exclusive benefit of the 1% and the foreign poors !! And dont misunderstand me : i dont blame the foreign poors for leaving their shitty country to come and live in France. They actually would be stupid not to come to a country that offer so much to them !! I blame our elite that organizes what will finally end up in a horrible chaos !!

[@_bebeboudeur_]

I love this video because it gives me optimism, there are good things in my country ahah (health insurance is a big one). Spices are easy to find if you're ready to use them in powder forms (herbs of Provence, paprika, curry, cumin, and so on). Some people are starting to go to the gym in big cities, I see more Basic Fit bagpacks around at least ! If you wanna save money on public transportation, you walk so yeah not much need of a gym membership anyway to stay in shape :')

[@Mn-xh9ps]

Nice point of view on our country. Always interesting to have from a foreigner. A french.

[@tinus1429]

Reaaally nice video, now if you have the occasion to go to South-East of France you’ll see that they’re not joking about Christmas decorations 🤣 whole other level

[@mep8083]

Thank you Raymond for clarifying the English and French for frippery.

[@lorihaley2292]

Less is more in France for sure. I joined a gym when I lived there and I was the only one who actually made an effort in cardio class.;) You could tell I was an expat! Haha.

[@TomPalissade]

For the parties, never forget that French never show any excitement, it's "vulgar" There is a word used in French never translated as a concept in English it's the word sobriété - not sober of alcohol but not being excessive in your manners. All cultures have internal snobisme, French are like others. A snob is someone who pretends knowing things without ever explaining them. A lot of people are saying things that lets them think they are better than you think, using words, buying brands, knowing such people etc. I think my folks are using those artificial ways because they are not allowed to show off with money. Kind of compensation. This is also a way to show your potential of rivalry witch is not the best human quality

[@AndersonWheaton]

I agree. I read an article not long ago about the impossibility of translating "I'm excited about it" into French (without sexual connotations), and the conclusion was that people in France never say that anyway.

[@leatt6136]

AndersonWheaton I can think about at least 3 ways to translate this without the sexual connotation so...

[@neydaferrel2251]

I TOTALLY agree... thanks for this video!! I'm from Bolivia anyway... and I just feel the same...

[@Kurayzeru]

Hey Rosie, just a little thing I'd like to correct: employers in companies with over 50 employees indeed have some obligations when it comes to lunch break, but it doesn't have to be only one of the two options you've mentioned. We are about 350 to 400 people where I work and we're not provided with either a canteen (where we could actually buy food) nor a restaurant card, but simply a refectory with refrigerators and microwave ovens so people can bring their lunch box and eat there; and that's what most of my coworkers actually do. Trade unions have been asking for more benefits on this topic but for now, that's all we have to deal with and it's still legal. Anyway, thanks for posting new videos even from your home country! Getting close to the 100 K subscribers! :)

[@fredlevel897]

ZipLoc bags: We do buy them a lot, to place food in the freezer, to waterproof packing (I use them a lot and you can find them in every supermarket) Gym: you're dead right! Very expensive in France and we don't care as much as some other cultures about muscly-shiny bodies Party decorations: Yeark! I'm so glad we don't see in France the crazyness you see in other places like US. A nice warm welcome, genuinely friendly relations and quality time don't need fake "happy" blin-bling Sauces: so easy to make and you just can't beat it Car expenses: when I used to live in Paris I was glad not to have a car and really didn't miss it. Now that I've been living in "province" for decades, like 50% of the french population, car is a MUST have

[@DL-bh8bv]

Very true about the gym culture!! We have a massive gym culture here in Australia too, and my French friends just don't understand that when I say I "go to the gym" I actually mean I actually go to *the* gym (I.e not just play sport).

[@victoriaa2281]

One thing I'm missing already after being in Bordeaux for a few months are cheap massages. So many good spots near my old place in South Auckland.

[@betsyrose7897]

My daughter and I go to France every year! Beautiful

[@irinaskaya2882]

We like your style and personality a lot. May I ask you include in near future some videos about country and place you live now, please. You are you, in France or not. Thank you

[@cjordan1161]

You are stuck in the past. For you France is over. Right about your NEW LIFE!

[@lotstolearn5350]

Write ... Actually she's of immense assistance to those from the Anglosphere who are about to visit Paris.

[@LillianJ.]

Early yaaayyyyy!!

[@brianwinters5434]

Great information.

As a French person, I would nuance that. I always worked in small companies so I was bringing my lunch from home. Also a lot of my co workes go to the gym a few times a week, I go to the swimming pool twice a week for example... So let's not generalise :)

[@Unammedacc]

I'm french. And I still don't understand how can you buy bottled cheese in the US ...

[@temperateortropical161]

The very mention of American cheese makes me want to vomit. Kraft cheese contains Senomyx; all Kraft and Nestlé products do.

[@sanniepstein4835]

@@temperateortropical161 American and I agree.

[@filiaaut]

I went to visit a friend in Sweden, and for some reason, they really like toothpaste tube-like containers. You can find cheese in those kind of tubes, they seem quite popular, and are usually flavoured. It is actually quite similar to apericubes (so not great and not exactly what I would call cheese, but it's kind of fun to try out and in the end, like most spreadable cheeses, it's meh). I guess american bottled cheese is similar, maybe even more artificial...

[@corydorastube]

@@temperateortropical161 Citation required.

[@geekbaritone]

I think you mean Cheese in a can. I'm American never seen cheese in a bottle. I've seen cheese in a Jar too but not in a bottle.

[@Danvers_clicks]

I've lived in Ireland for 2 years and the birthday cheers, especially at the office always seems like a bit too much. But I'm slowly loosing my Frenchness by getting used to it ;)

[@sleepycalico]

French values sound wonderful! Thank you for this video.

[@emelinebrunet788]

Since I moved to England (I'm french, living in france for 22 years / 3years in England) I start buying cloth that would be consider as "hoe" cloth in France but no one's judging here because everyone dress up the way they want ! just loving it so much! Even wearing fake eyelashes and fake nails, no one is staring at you like judging so bad! So I have bought so muuuuch more make up and cloth since I moved here and I just love it ! I used to love living in Paris, but we have to be honest, London is much cooler :D

[@socoline5727]

Hi ! I'm French and I lived in Paris and in other cities :) a lot of things here are very specific to Paris I think... Thanks for your videos though because it's so interesting to learn what is surprising about French cutlure :)

[@girldy]

Système Douille I agree

[@Chapineofthe69]

It's really interesting, and I think it says a lot, how you're English has changed since you get back to New Zealand!

[@lotstolearn5350]

Auto Correct really messed with you. ... your ... got ...

[@monelove721]

Rosie have you converted back to your kiwi ways since you've moved back to NZ or are you maintaining the economical yet frugal Parisian ways you've learned in your 6 year adventure living in Paris?

[@aliawhite1757]

Great video 😘

[@DarkRedman31]

For the different curry powder it's better to go to a local market (and I don't mean store of course but outside) and find a trader who sells spices (powder) so you can pick different sort of curry and make your own paste with other ingredients that has that liant property, if it's too thick you can add again something that does countrary even mix with a green lemon juice, everything is possible in France for cooking ;) And it's way less expensive to do it yourself thant to buy something all done and not necessarily healthy. For the china/glasses display ect... it's more about our grandparents (generation W) but for our generation it's less a thing, I'd say the display is more a geek thing.

[@tromboline14]

Hey, your video is so funny. As a French woman, it's funny to see what is so different. But, I disagree with several things : we still have lunchbags/tupperware because even if in some companies you have a canteen, it's not always a good quality. And concerning the restaurant tickets, it's quickly very expensive to go to the restaurant each day, even with the reduction. So we still use lunchboxes in many companies. And for the nail polish : nooo !! we love colors too !! and we do go to the esthetician. But maybe it's less common than in the USA. Still, happy to see that we have good bakeries, and that we don't waste money on garnements for birthdays haha

[@mdqquinn2513]

wow...that sounds bizarre! I'm American, and only time that would be appropriate to bring your own food is mass tailgating (sports events), or mass picnics with many people unrelated...

[@aurelieysebaert2741]

Thanks for this video. It's always interesting to know how foreigners see us and our habits... But i think there are many faces of France. It depends of where you live, if you're rich or poor, if you're a business man, a Bobo, a worker, etc. For example, when you talk about dresses in special occasion, i can tell you that it depends of your social status! For really rich people, dresses will be totally "extravangaza" haha, for middle social statut, the clothes you wear are not so important. About the kitchen theme, you talk about curry. If you're really interested in cooking, there are many many special store where you can find so many things you can't imagine! I love cooking and when i want to cook special dishes, i never go to supermarket. I prefer Biocoop and many international stores (Tan Binh market for example or Antillais store, Japanese supermarket, indian store etc... ) you will find everything you want.

[@blueddd]

I would love to live in France! Great video

[@christianeschmidt2038]

For me it was different with the gym membership moving from Germany to angers, France. The price of the gym membership in my studio (Les Milles) is 40 Euro per month which is cheaper than in Germany. I am wondering how this compares to Wellington, as I soon will move there for work also but only for 3 month. I am excited and following your videos.

[@RRPGP]

Hi Rosie, about the "tickets resto", not every company has it, even though some are more than 100 employees. I think it's at the employer's discretion if the company already has a room big enough to eat (not a cantine, just a "local"). About the curry, I was so surprised to discover there were many different sorts when I went to Australia haha. By the way, is it just me or are you speaking faster than when you lived in France ? Bisous :)

[@nozaakilkhanova6874]

I have to disagree with a lot of things. I would title video things you don't need when living in Paris not France. Most French people live outside of Paris, they have big houses with big kitchen. Lots of nick nacks in the house. Most houses have lots of antique furniture. I have to agree that they don't buy much stuff, most of the things are inherited and passed down from family. Gyms are definitely out of ordinary, instead lots of hiking and walking. Love the fact that they don't use much make-up, so refreshing and beautiful

[@Nico_Transformations]

I lived in Wellington for 2 years and at 1st l thought it was odd to see that people go to parties and bring their own drinks+food. They don't share most of the time although some do...

[@elisabetharbour]

Allô, je suis du Québec (province française du Canada). J'ai l'impression que le Canada et la Nouvelle-Zélande sont très similaires! Lorsque tu décris les différences entre la France et la Nouvelle-Zélande, le Canada est identique à la Nouvelle-Zélande!! Nous sommes vraiment imprégnés par la culture anglaise aussi! Super intéressantes tes vidéos! :)

[@yourfunsister]

All of that sounds wonderful

[@cellan67]

Par expérience, il me semble qu' on mange moins bien chez les gens qui ont de grandes cuisines super équipées, aux étagères remplies de gadgets, d'épices, de sauces et d'un tas d'ingrédients. Parce que la clé d'un bon repas se sont de bons produits et un savoir faire (et un bon couteau quand même!). Tous ceux qui ont des mamies simples, à la campagne, savent de quoi je parle.

[@HolandaChiquita]

I'm from the Netherlands and planning on moving in with my French boyfriend in a few months time. Luckily most of the things you mentioned are already "normal" for me since I'm Dutch. Except for the spices and a lot of the things they sell in supermarkets etc. Some stuff seems to completely non-existent. Their way of life does seem more relaxed and uncomplicated, less on timing and almost sobering to some extend. Or maybe that's just my boyfriend XD But well I guess every place on earth can be like that. You just have to make it your own...

[@aidanclarke6106]

So what do your friends think of your Parisian chic style?

[@ashleyr666]

I’m like 9 months late but you should make a video dedicated to meals you would make in Paris!!

[@aenor190]

I can say as a French living in a big city (Lyon), that even if some points are more related to Parisian lifestyle, I can agree with what you said. For the heels, I would say that in Lyon you can wakk in heels without trouble, except in you're in the paved "Vieux Lyon", but still if your flats are matching with your working outfits, then you can go with flats. And for makeup, it's... partially true. I don't wear a lot of makeup, and if I'm not going out I simply don't wear any. But I've realized that passed 25yo, french women tend to buy a good amount of skincare products. Oils, cremes, night cremes, day care, hydrating products... As you must look like you didn't try hard, you have to keep you skin in good health, because we see it as good skin means no foundation.

[@kaorimakimura114]

For the tupperwares and plastic boxes it depends on where you work. I don't have a restaurant at work, so I have either to bring my lunch or to buy a sandwich or something outside.

[@XanagiHunag]

When it comes to small kitchens and all that, I think it depends on the size of you flat/house. My parents' kitchen is full of big stuff (maybe not as big as somewhere else, I don't know). When it comes to not having a need for a car, it's not specific to Paris. I believe it's more specific to big towns, especially if you are not too often travelling during the middle of the night.

[@marcusscott5363]

As an American expat (not in France) I'm still continually surprised at how awesome, cheap, and comprehensive the healthcare appears to be in places like France. You mention 50 euros a month for everything from dental to vision to surgery. I'm assuming social security tax is hella then?

[@IRACEMABABU]

It's our employeur who pays the health insurance, and we don't see it as a tax, but a "cotisation"(social contribution). The difference is : you can have a company who didn't made profits, then is tax free, but all the social cotisations have to be payed. We earn less money than an american, but the difference goes to all the health care (including retirement pension, social help for children education, unemployement, etc...), at the end the french system is cheaper than the american one, due to mutualisation of the financial effort. We call it solidarity. You pay high cotisations when you're young and healthy, your money goes to help other people, but when you're ill, or old, or unemployed, other people's money is helping you. It's working very well, and is very heplfull during fiancial crisis. The last one of 2008 was a lot less painfull in France due to this system.

[@SeniorsenVadrouille]

Thanks for tour video

[@nadbwah282]

Yeah but not accurate at all so don't make up your mind according to what is said in this video

[@SWBGTOC]

The space in my kitchen is really a problem. I often read recipes that tell me to use very specific cooking tools or spices but I just have my loyal pan and curry

[@jbloveday9538]

Thank GOODNESS there are no singing gnomes in France at Christmas- I think I’ll go there to live! 🇳🇿

[@j-loosenfout67]

:))) So funny comment Imao!

[@vicky-leemcseveney1452]

Hi, here in Nice people are rather fit, they run, cycle and gym. We have great weather most of the year so everyone loves outside. I joined a gym to feel more "French" as everyone here is skinny and I am not so much. I guess it depends from area. Thank you for a great video.

[@SuperJezzara]

What do you keep leftovers in AT HOME? Or like that extra half an onion that you didn't use? What do you store that in?

[@thomastacheron5927]

When needed, in a box in the fridge. But an onion doesn't need to be stored in a fridge!

[@temperateortropical161]

A cut onion uncovered in the fridge will cause the butter to smell of onions; not a concern for me. A cut onion left uncovered on the kitchen bench (counter) should not be used the following day as it absorbs whatever is in the air and nowadays many kitchens have a family room area (away from the main living room) that has fabric covered furniture containing bromide as a flame retardant.

[@sandman9924]

Have visited Paris numerous times for business, and spent some time there on pleasure as well. Don't agree entirely on the descriptions of Parisian women's approach to fashion. Have observed that while there is a certain studied uncomplicated approach to their "presentation," they are definitely working on it. Women in heels was not a rare sight, nor was makeup. I thought Parisian women were generally a little heavier on the lipstick in the evenings than their Anglosphere counterparts. Hairstyles did trend toward low maintenance but fashionable. Overall, I have to say the look was generally elegant without being too obvious where effort to look that way was concerned.

[@wge621]

I'd say this video was a mix of things she's seen and mostly her personal experience. I think it's fairly well known that Parisian women tend to wear more bright lipsticks and less foundation/concealer/contour etc. I don't think she was saying that none of the women wore makeup or heels, just that the quantity and frequency were less

[@britt-sen]

Having moved to europe, i find myself in the supermarket more often. Because of the limited space and the drudgery of carrying heavy bags up flights of stairs, i get groceries perhaps 4/5 days a week. Ooh that reminds me i need to go today. haha

[@youpihat]

Although decorations of Christmas inside the House is rare in France, but those foods for Christmas Eve dinner and the New Year Eve dinner, is the best of the world ! So many many many choices, that is really too too too much ! Mama Mia !

[@KimberlyGreen]

gym memberships don't have the same weight 😂🤣😅😋

[@musicalneptunian]

The Paris Sanitation Corp has cleaned out all the gym rats.

[@laken1804]

No pun intended.

[@w3ab]

I find I have so much stuff that I use that my house doesn't have room for "useless" things. I'm wondering whether american builders, as tools have gotten more advanced over time, have started including stuff as standard in their houses. Or whether you have to sort of work to collect all the things for a house. The reason I'm asking is because I feel my house is not up to date. And I'm wondering whether I should keep working at collecting tools. Or whether there is an easier way to make my house feel more comfortable, if such things are considered standard.

[@zaydalaoui9397]

Only thing i dont agree with is GYM. But it may be my particular case. All my friends and colleagues hit the gym very often and go skiing hiking etc all year long.

[@aceoline]

You had me at "Free Food", but lack of ornaments made me stay!