Cathy's Culture Questions

Cathy asked her readers to give a few details about their way of living in their country. Here are my answers.

What is (roughly) your daily schedule? What time does work begin? What time does it end? How about meal times? Does your country go in for the afternoon rest time?

I usually get up at 7:00 - I just love early mornings! Seb usually gets up at 8:00. The time work begins varies a lot according to the job and even the place where you live. The people in Paris generally start working later than in the rest of France (shops for instance often open later)... But of course, they finish work later too!
That being said, many workers start working at 6:00, which means getting up at 5:00 or earlier if you live far away from work.
The meals in France are: breakfast, lunch (anywhere between 12 and 1:30 pm), often a light snack at 4-5 pm, and dinner around 7:00-8:00 pm. But DBF and I tend to get absorbed in our occupations in the evening and often start to think about dinner after 8:00! ;)
I believe most people go to bed between 10:00 and midnight. That being said, my parents go to bed between 9 and 10 - but they get up early too. I usually don't manage to go to bed before midnight or a quarter to midnight... There are so many things to do in a day!
I don't know if many people take a nap. I never do, and I don't know anyone personally who does. But I know some people do take naps if they've been up early, and provided their work allows them to nap. Little children usually nap after lunch, although I remember I hated to! ;)

What is the predominate language spoken in your country? Are many people bi-lingual?

The language is French. People born in France and from a non-immigrant background are not bilingual. People who immigrated to France of course speak their own mother tongue often better French, and those whose parents were immigrant usually know the tongue spoken in their originating country as well as French.

So far, the teaching system in France was excellent at teaching written foreign languages, but quite poor at teaching oral skills. Hence the reputation of the French having such a heavy accent abroad! ;o) In France, unless you decide to do the effort yourself and go abroad and practise lots and lots, you can't get an authentic pronunciation. Fortunately, that is right in the process of improving, as several heavy and demanding pronunciation tests have now been introduced in the exams you need to take to get a professoral degree. I took those exams 2 years ago, and believe me, unless you have a really authentic pronunciation, you won't pass, irreproachable as your written knowledge of English and literature may be! That's good news for the next generations of students - their teachers will have received a good oral training, which means they'll have at heart to teach the right pronunciation to their students. That's a virtuous circle! :o)

What sports are popular in your country?

Football, cycling, tennis, rugby, gymnastics, athletics.

Are there supermarkets where you live?

Yes. But they don't open on Sundays and none are open 24/24 as many are in the US. But it's easy to plan ahead just for Sunday.

Who are the real-life heros in your country?

Jean Moulin and De Gaulle, undoubtedly, because they led the Résistance movement during WWII. De Gaulle turned out a very conservative President after that (remember May 1968!) but he is nonetheless very much admired. And Father Pierre (l'Abbé Pierre) for his action in favour of homeless people.

Is there a day you celebrate your country? What is the celebration like?

We celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th, when the people of Paris, starving, rebelled against the King and took over the Bastille (which was a prison). It marks the beginnings of the French Republic, although democracy was to be had at a bitter cost! There is a big parade on the Champs Elysées on that day, and every town/village has its fireworks at night. People used to dance (bal du 14 juillet) but I'm not sure that's still very much done.