Yesterday, I finally ventured into the bar across the road with my tandem partner (language exchange partner for anyone not fluent in Erasmus-speak). We ended up talking about one of my favourite things - cultural cliches. This is such a winner as a conversation starter - so if you're panicking in a conversation with someone you've met abroad I guarantee this will get everyone giggling and break the ice. Here are some of the things I've gathered from my very scientific research with French friends...here goes!
1) "English people like to take a very long time to say what they mean"
I can fully vouch for this one! I find it impossible to start a letter without writing: "Just a little note to say blah blah", and emails without typing something along the lines of: "I was just wondering if I could ask you a question about so & so". I've heard this cliche from two different sources, so who knows...it's probably true!
2) "England invented the rain"
To which I retorted, - "No, Scotland did!" Judging by the rain pattering down on my window at this very moment, I have a hard time stomaching this cruel cliche about Great Britannia!
3) "English people eat their dinner too early"
Not so much a cliche as something that the French find bizarre. I'm told that the frogs eat their main meal at midday, so perhaps that's why they find 6.30pm an extremely premature dining hour!4) "England just love to be different from everyone else"
I can't deny this one, as we drive on the left-hand side of the road and use Pound Sterling instead of the Euro. Maybe our kookiness comes from the fact that we're out on a limb on a tiny little island. Who knows!
5) "English people all love, watch, and speak like the people from Downtown Abbey"
I haven't watched it, so maybe that will help to stall this idea. Onto the next cliche, tally-ho!
6) "English girls dress very scantily on nights out"
100% true. Sadly!
True or untrue, these certainly made me laugh! Let me know if you come across with any other ones :)
À Bientôt !
x
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