France

When people think of the "City of Love," what usually comes to their  mind? Paris, France? Paris is one of the most known cities in the world. France is also one of the most influential country known. From Fashion to sterotypes, France has influenced America in different ways.. As time evolved, France became a republic and is "one of the most modern countries in the world" (Central Intelligence).

 Fashion

Paris is one of the biggest fashion cities in the world. "Parisians definitely have a certain chic sartorial air about themselves. They can appear casual and elegant without being overdressed or under dressed" (Kelsey). Although the fashion in France is widely adored, the models are known for being very thin. An article titled  France urges care on skinny models but rejects ban  explains that  "France will not ban skinny models from Paris catwalks but will introduce a voluntary charter to make the fashion industry more aware of the health risks of being very thin" (Willard). I can understand this pressure because my cousin lives in France and when she came here to visit, she would run every morning and not eat carbs. She told me that in France, being thin is normal because food is expensive over there. 

French Etiquette

 The French have similar etiquette values like Americans do but there are some differences.
  

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks, once on the left cheek and once on the right cheek.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->First names are reserved for family and close friends. Wait until invited before using someones first name.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->You are expected to say 'bonjour' or 'bonsoir' (good morning and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or Madame when entering a shop and 'au revoir' (good-bye) when leaving.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Flowers should be given in odd numbers but not 13, which is considered unlucky.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->If you give wine, make sure it is of the highest quality you can afford. The French appreciate their wines.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

I found the table manners to be odd because I am right handed. I have tried to eat with my left hand and it did not go so well. Reading these etiquette's makes me feel like Americans don't have manners because we are a big melting pot of different cultures.

 Influence on America

Mustache, chauffeur and bouquet are all french words that we use in English. Not only only does Americans use French words but also in dance, food and architecture. The french brought Ballet dance to America and now ballet is danced around the U.S. In D.C there are ballet performances you can go see. If you go to http://www.washingtonballet.org/ to buy tickets if you want a taste of French ballet. Speaking of taste, there are French restaurants in the U.S and the closest to Woodbridge is in Tyson's mall. The restaurant is called La Madeleine and although I have not tried it, the restaurant looks pleasing. The French also influenced architecture in the United States. "French Settlers introduced French building styles to Quebec and Louisiana" (French). Since the French settled in Louisiana, there are many influences there. France has influenced America in many ways and the French even let the United States film movies there.Recently, movies like Pink Panther, Taken and Rush Hour 3. It is certain to say that the movies that these movies that were shot in France was a big hit. This may be because of the unique and romantic culture.

Stereotypes 

Americans stereotype many ethnic cultures and French is one of them. I have heard that French people don't take a lot of showers and they don't shave. I realized this is just a rumor because my cousin showers everyday and keeps up with her hygiene. She is as Parisian as it gets and laughed at the stereotype. While searching the web I found on connexionfrance.com, stereotypes that Americans perceive about the French. It listed  "prejudices Americans have about the French, based on their portrayal in the US media" (Connexion).

1. The French strike all the time, are lazy and are Communists
2. All French people smoke
3. French women don’t shave; especially their armpits (but the French think this applies to Germans, said TF1)
4. They love wine and cheese, often eat snails and frogs’ legs and always walk about with a baguette under their arms. “Americans think of the baguette in the same way as they think of the Eiffel Tower: a French person without a baguette isn’t French”
5. They are chic and sophisticated. For example, dinners among friends are often more refined than American ones

I found the stereotypes ridiculous because anybody can be lazy, smoke, love wine, and sophisticated. My family from France are nice and down to earth. Judging French people from the media and rumors make a person ignorant.  

Learning about France has made me feel closer with my other family. They have lived on the outskirts of Paris for years and I realize that I have overlooked the country. From the Fashion, Culture, and Influence, France has maintained its power and class for years and by the looks of it, will maintain it for a long time.

References

"Central Intelligence Agency." CIA. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.

"France - French Culture, Customs and Etiquette." Kwintessential. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.

"French Influence in North America." : Text, Images, Music, Video. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.

"Website Lists Americans’ Top 10 Prejudices about the French – The Connexion." Website Lists Americans’ Top 10 Prejudices about the French – The Connexion. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.

Willard, Anna. "France Urges Care on Skinny Models but Rejects Ban." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 30 Mar. 2007. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.

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