Category:Cultural Differences

At the www.aupairclearinghouse, we have many different country descriptions of culture and potential strengths and weaknesses of au pairs coming from that particular part of the world. Below is our description of au pairs from France:

Overview of French Culture and People

France is the largest country in the European Union (EU) and has been a major power for many centuries with strong economic, cultural, military and political influence. During the 17th and 18th centuries, France colonized much of North America; during the 19th and early 20th centuries. France built the second largest empire of the time, including large portions of North, West and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and many Pacific islands. France is a developed country and possesses the fifth largest economy in the world. It is the most visited country worldwide, receiving 82 million foreign tourists annually. Paris is the capital of France and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Their cuisine and wines are internationally famous and food is one of the great passions of the French.

They’ve managed to preserve the splendor of their countryside, and the charm of their villages, towns and cities. The French enjoy the best cuisine in the world and produce many of the world’s great wines. They have good public services, fine schools, exceptional social security benefits, superb hospitals, excellent working conditions and employee benefits, and a first-class transportation system with magnificent roads and among the world’s fastest trains. The country enjoys a generally high standard of living, low inflation and a relatively healthy economy.

Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, and EU subsidies have combined to make France the leading agricultural producer and exporter in Europe. Wheat, poultry, dairy, beef, and pork, as well as an internationally recognized foods and wine are primary French agricultural exports. EU agriculture subsidies to France total almost $14 billion.

Since the end of the Second World War the government made efforts to integrate more and more with Germany, both economically and politically. Today the two countries form what is often referred to as the “core” countries in favor of greater integration of the European Union.

France has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU. These low employment rates are the result of the high minimum wages which prevent low productivity workers – such as young people – from easily entering the labour market, ineffective university curricula that fail to prepare students adequately for the labour market, and older workers who permitted by the French government to retire early.

There is a growing population of Muslims in France. Although Muslims have always been present in France, today's metropolitan France has experienced a mass immigration of Muslims in the 20th and 21st centuries, creating one of the largest Islamic communities in Europe. According to the 1999 French census returns, there were 3.7 million people of “possible Muslim faith” in France (6.3% of the total population). In 2003, the French Ministry of the Interior estimated the total number of Muslims to be 6 million. Tensions occasionally erupt over discrimination against minorities, especially Muslims.

Languages in France

French, the official language, is the first language of 88% of the population. Most of those who speak minority languages also speak French, as the minority languages are given no legal recognition. Not all French speak English and the English that is taught in French schools starts late (after age 11) and does not focus on oral skills. Some French speak German, Italian and Swiss as well as French (those who live on these countrys' borders).

Most French people pretend not to speak English, usually because they speak it badly and perhaps they have an inferiority complex about English, which they blame for the decline of the French language and culture! French was once the univerisal language - English is now the language of the world. Up until even the 19th century, the ability to speak French is was the sign of a civilized person and even the Russian court spoke French instead of its native tongue.

Motivations for Becoming an Au Pair

1. The top reason that drives most French girls to the cultural exchange program is their desire to improve their English skills. Despite the bias against the English language in France, an au pair's job potential is greatly improved if you speak English well.

2. Due to the high unemployment in France, young French women are more open to considering a year abroad, with pay, and the chance to travel and to improve their English skills.

French Characteristics and Manners

1. The idea of becoming an au pair in America (and in other European countries) is very common and well established in France and the majority of French au pairs will not have difficulty understanding their role as an au pair. Most French girls do not have difficulty finding the money for application and program fees.

2. French Family Values: the family is the social glue of the country and each family member has certain duties and responsibilities they must adhere to. Extended family members provide both emotional and financial support. The French have small families (they have few children) but parents take their role very seriously. Roots and strong community and family ties are a prominent feature of French life.

3. The French are very private people and although they are generally polite in all situations, they have different rules of behavior for people in their "inner social circle" and their family. Within these private circles, the French feel most comfortable being themselves. Friendship is important and often involves high standards of loyalty and frequent, if not daily, contact.

4. The French are known as friendly, proud and healthy. They can also be egocentric, anti-American and elitist.

Childcare Experience and Background

1. Common discipline methods include taking away priveleges, "no tv, etc." and in France, a slap on the bottom is okay. NOTE: at the au pair orientation in the states, au pairs are told not to use corporal punishment with American children.

2. Prospective au pairs receive childcare experience by babysitting, summer camps and working or volunteering in daycare centers. Because the French family is small, au pairs do not get the opportunity to care for younger siblings in the home.

3. Young women are accustomed to sharing household chores and they have the freedom to socialize and date. Curfews are not common.

Education

1. More than 50% of young women continue their studies after high school at French Universities, while the remaining attend technical schools or try to find a job.

2. The educational opportunities that the cultural exchange program offers are very important to French au pairs, so it is important to remember that your French au pair has a car to drive to her classes at the local college or university.

3. The academic year in France starts in October and ends in June, so most au pairs will be available in the summer months.

4. French teachers generally have high expectations of pupils and the system is hard on slow learners and the not so bright; although most schools have special classes for children with learning difficulties, these are beginning to disappear as education budgets are cut. France has a highly competitive and selective examination system that separates the brighter students from the less academically gifted at around the age of 14. From primary school level, children are subjected to constant testing (at least twice a week in every subject). However, despite the generally high standards, there have been reports of an increasing number of children entering secondary education unable to read or write adequately.

Driving

1. Most French au pairs, who come from middle and upper middle class families, have access to the family car and can drive fairly well. Parisians may not own a car, so you should check when you interview an au pair from Paris. Having access to a car means your au pair has had practice driving and will drive better compared to those young women whose family does not own a car.

2. Driving skills can vary widely - those au pairs from large cities may use mass transit and may not have enough practice driving. France has a reputation for having the "worse" drivers in Europe! Many do not respect speed limits and driving laws and only use their brakes when their horn doesn't work! Behind the wheel, the French can become impatient and even aggressive. These tendences are seen in women as well as men. If you want an inside scoop regarding French driving practices, please read the article: French Driving - The French Way of Driving.

Health

1. Medical services are not free in France. Most au pairs visit the dentist on a regular basis, but it is very expensive.

2. Eating disorders are not very common, but they do exist.

3. Most youth are inoculated for tetanus, polio and diptheria and are tested for TB.

4. The French diet is very healthy, but there are fast food restaurants, such as McDonald's.

Diet

1. Most French au pairs eat meat and vegetarianism is not as common as it is here in the states.

2. Usually, the French eat appetizers, a main dish and dessert for dinner.

3. Most youth drink at age 16, usually wine and beer, at dinner or in bars.

Religion

1. The most common religion is Catholic and 63% of the population are raised Catholic. Most young people in France do not practice their religion on a regular basis.

2. There is a growing muslim population in France and 6 million French practice Islam and most young muslims do practice their religion on a daily basis.

Potential Strengths of the French Au Pair

1. French au pairs may drive fairly well. Make sure you ask if her family has a car that she practiced with.

2. Some French girls are conservative and come from strict Catholic families. They will not party and drink and go out with men.

3. French girls want to be part of the family - if you welcome her as a "daughter" she will adjust well and become part of your "inner circle."

Potential Weaknesses of the French Au Pair

1. Oral skills in English may be weak due to the focus on written language in elementary school. Their accent may be very thick.

2. French au pairs may be biased against American culture and food and feel that both are inferior to French culture and food. Because of this, they may suffer Culture Shock and have difficulty adjusting to their new environment.

3. Many French au pairs smoke. Most au pairs who smoke will not tell you that they do; others will tell you they are in the process of quitting or will quit. Be prepared for your French au pair to struggle with this habit while she is in your home. 4. Some French girls are used to a lot of freedom to socialize and enjoy going out to clubs and bars. This may be a problem if your au pair is under 21 and you do not like "party" girls.

5. Let's face it - the typical American meal is usually full of starches, with a salad from a bag and chicken served several times a week. French au pairs eat well at home and they may refuse your meals unless you are a good cook. Don't expect her to eat the meals Americans usually serve their children: macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, pasta with butter, peanut butter sandwiches on white bread, etc. French au pairs complain loudly about our food - our bread, meat, cheeses and salads are all considered second rate compared to French food.

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