It is a strange thing to feel culture shock in your own country. We are kind of in an inbetween phase right now, where things feel strange to us here. Lucas keeps telling me it doesn't really feel like we're home.
I guess I kind of know what he means, because I can't quite believe that I can just go outside and get in my car and drive whenever I want. Although I had to fill up my car today. No one mentioned the gas prices! It felt like a kick in the face to pay $3.20 a gallon for regular old unleaded. Yikes! Our monthly Métro passes are really seeming like a great deal right now, but there are only a few stairs to get to the driveway, and I don't have to carry a stroller!
I can't believe how dry it is here. It's hot -- really hot -- but it still doesn't bother me as much as the humid heat we left behind. I can't believe how much more manageable my hair is here! But my mouth always feels parched.
Our schedules are still totally off. A neighbor knocked on our door last night at 8:00 and the phone rang around 9:00 and we felt totally invaded, as if it were the middle of the night. The kids have been waking up very early in the morning. 4:30 yesterday, 5:30 today, dare I hope for 6:30 tomorrow??
Marc went to get his hair cut and saw a marquee advertising a 44 oz. drink for $.69. He just couldn't wrap his mind around it. 44 ounces?? $.69?! We're used to the 33 oz. cans being roughly $3.00. And he heard a woman at the Costco food court crudely demanding what she wanted. We're used to always addressing people kindly with a "Bonjour, Monsieur" or "Bonjour, Madame" and telling them what we would please like. Politeness is a good thing...
It doesn't really seem real that I went to book club tonight {it was lounge club, really}. I was with friends again! I saw Jill in person, hugged her, laughed with her, enjoyed her mannerisms and the kind of in-person conversation that is just different from being on the phone -- especially with my stunted phone skills.
Eva is rediscovering her toys -- and our dog. She acted like her room was uncharted territory, yet when we went to Great Clips to get haircuts for Max & Lucas this morning, she immediately remembered that they give out lollipops there...
I put a piece of paper on the fridge today that has "what we miss about Paris" on one side and "what we appreciate about being home" on the other. I'm hoping it will help ease the transition a bit. I'll keep you posted on what gets added to the lists.
14 comments:
i love your list on the fridge idea. brilliant! i hope you all survive the jet lag and feel at home again soon.
I went through culture shock when I moved to Utah, and I think I may go through some more in the South. (Spitoons, for example.)
It's a frightening thing if The French are more polite than Utahns isn't it? I don't think rudeness is justified ever, especially to food service workers, but how humiliating is Marc's Costco experience?
I'm so glad you put a list on your fridge (photo please) and that the whole family will be contributing. It will be interesting for sure.
I'm so happy you came to lounge club last night, it would have been pointless without you since the whole purpose was for us all to be together again. Even though your trip went quickly, it still feels like "finally you're back" followed by a long exhale.
That's totally understandable about the US culture shock. Living in Paris for two months really does make it so become accustomed to things there. Good luck getting back into the groove!
You'll always have Paris.:)
oh michelle i just adore your posts...you are so insightful on things and the way you express them is just a delight. after comming back from england from being there almost 2 months....it was really strange to get the baby out of the stroller....however tough it was carrying him through stairs and all that...at least you could keep him in the stroller leaving home to comming home sometimes...since their public transportation is wonderful...i would walk, literally get on the bus, get off...get on the metro get on the train and he would still be sitting or sleeping...it was wonderful...here you have to deal with the car seat....yiac...but then again, you can get your self and go asap too....so it is those differences that make either place charming/practical...but yeah it is true, you would think french people are rude....sometimes, but i do think they have more politness than the typical american dealing with its own kind
The list idea is a great one! I can't believe a soda was that expensive over there.
The rudeness thing is interesting. American's are just so used to getting what we want that I suppose some don't think twice about being rude to get it.
So glad you are back!
I'm glad you've all got back safely and all is as you left it.
That's sad that home is feeling less 'well-mannered' than Paris. We found New Yorkers very *snap snap* now, now, now! But then we said, at the time, that an economic success like the USA must've been built on a type of 'go-getting/results' people. Similarly, Germany picked itself up well after WW2 in terms of technology and finance, and we've found Germans to be quite brusque and to-the-point. I don't know...Europeans may be more genteel, but none of us are Empires anymore :-(
Funny that Eva remembered the lollipops too!
When I flew home from Dublin, I landed in NYC and had to spend the night over in New Jersey (long story). I remember seeing the huge lawns in front of people's homes and the HOMES! It was overwhelming to realize the prosperity in American and the things we take advantage of. I also remember having mixed emotions about being back in the US (I had been away for 3 months).
I love the lists on the fridge idea! What a fun way to ease into life back at home.
I for one am glad to have you back on this side of the pond!
LOVE the fridge idea. i think somehow it will help!
I am glad you are home and hope you settle in quickly and smoothly.
that list idea is great- what a fun way to see how much you love both places. it is funny how you can feel culture shock being back in your "homeland." you see things differently after being away from it- just a different perspective.
that's AWESOME that eva rediscovered her toys! think how much more "extended use" they get now!!
by the way- welcome back! good luck with the time issue!
I'm sure it's bittersweet to be home again...but what an amazing adventure for your entire family (can you feel the jealousy oozing??!). I love the idea of your list on the fridge.
Welcome Home!
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