life in france book2

7/28/2019 Life in France Book2

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Life in France 5

Contents

Foreword

Part 1. DAILY LIFE 7 1Les repas 8 2-5Les courses 15 6-9Lemploi du temps 22 10-13Les rythmes de lanne 29 14-17

Part 2. LEISURE TIME 37 18 la maison 38 19-22Les sorties 45 23-26Le sport 52 27-30Les vacances 59 31-34

Part 3. LIFESTYLE 67 35Le logement 68 36-39Lducation 75 40-43Le travail 82 44-47La mode 89 48-51

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Life in France 16

DAILY LIFE

Les courses

Most French people will only purchase food for the next few days orthe week ahead. Large bulk purchases are not common. The daysbaguette is often picked up on the way home from work so that it isfresh and crisp. Some French people will purchase their meat, fruitand vegetables in their local supermarket, but many will restricttheir purchases there to groceries and toiletries, preferring to shopat their local butcher or at the market for fresh food. In rural areas,people may still purchase their bread or meat from the local bakeror butcher who travels around in a van, sounding the horn to alert

the villagers.

Hypermarkets, les grandes surfaces as they are often called, areparticularly popular, especially at certain times of the year such asthe early autumn when the Foires aux vins, wine fairs, take place.Many French people will peruse the numerous magazine articlesrecommending which wine to buy at a given chain.

lhypermarch hypermarket/superstorele supermarch supermarketla superette mini-marketun centre commercial shopping centre/mallun rayon department, counter, aislelpicerie groceries

les fruits et lgumes fruits and vegetablesllectromnager household electrical appliancesle mobilier furnitureles vtements clothesun caddie trolley/cartun panier (shopping) basketla caisse checkout, cash deskles espces cashun chque cheque/checkune Carte Bleue debit card, bank card

faire les courses to do ones shoppingfaire des achats to shop, to go shopping

KEYWORDS

In supermarkets, payment by debit cardis accepted even for very small amounts,but in smaller shops there is usually aminimum amount that is indicated nearthe cash desk. The practice of asking fora certain amount of cash back froma supermarket cashier when paying bydebit card is not current in France.

All goods, except heavy items such as packsof water, must be placed on the conveyor

belt. You may be asked if you require a bag.Many supermarkets no longer supply freeplastic bags for ecological reasons butwill have reusable bags available forpurchase. You will need to bag your goodsyourself as it is not common in Franceto have assistants who do this for you.

When French people pay by cash, you willoften hear them refer to this as en espcesand also as en liquide. The latter may

sound a little odd, but it means ready cashand is related to the notion of liquidity.

CULTURAL TIPS



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Life in France 18

DAILY LIFE

Les courses

THISTORY AND TRADITIONS

The first hypermarket in the world was opened in the southern

suburbs of Paris in 1963 by Carrefour. Further hypermarkets soon

followed as other chains copied this new model of self-service on

a huge scale. Stores were built in areas far from city centres and

access was facilitated by the increasing use of personal cars.

Large parking areas and petrol stations were included on the sites.

In order to qualify as a hypermarket, French law states that theremust be at least 2,500 square metres of sales area and more than

a third of turnover must be from the sale of food products.

O se trouve le rayon poisson ?Wheres the fish counter?

Excusez-moi, je cherche le dentifrice.Excuse me, Im looking for toothpaste.

Je pourrais avoir un sac, sil vous plat ?Coud I have a bag, please?

Je veux payer par carte, sil vous plat.Id like to pay by debit card, please.

Vous pouvez maider, sil vous plat ?Coud you help me, please?

Jaurai besoin dun conseil, sil vous plat.I need some advice, please.

Je cherche un bureau de poste.Im looking for a post office.

Il y a un distributeur de billets par ici ?

Is there a cash point/ATM around here?

USEFUL PHRASES

Most chain stores and supermarketshave loyalty cards, les cartes de fidlit.These award points depending on theamount spent. The points then allow forcoupons or special reductions. In the caseof bookstores, loyalty cards permit a 5%discount on books. This is the maximumamount books can be discounted in France.

A shopping centre or mall is called un centre

commercial. This is often abbreviated onroad signs and signposts to Ctr Cial.

DAB is the acronym for automated tellermachines, un distributeur automatiquede billets, and GAB is the acronym for unguichet automatique bancaire, a machinethat also allows users to perform otherbanking operations. Many banks no longergive money over the counter except byarrangement or at certain times. However,they have machines outside branches or

in specially enclosed areas. Access issometimes restricted after banking hoursto people who have that particular banksdebit card. They must swipe it to gainentrance.

CULTURAL TIPS

FRENCH PEOPLE LIVING IN

RURAL AREAS WILL OFTEN

TRAVEL INTO TOWN ON

SATURDAYS TO SHOP FOR

GOODS THEY CANNOT

OBTAIN LOCALLY.



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Life in France 23

DAILY LIFE

Lemploi du temps

les horaires timetable, schedulelemploi du temps timetable, schedulele matin morningle midi middaylaprs-midi afternoonle soir evening

la nuit nightla crche day nurserylcole maternelle nursery schoolla nounou nannyles heures de pointe rush hourles transports en commun public transportla voiture carle courrier post/maille journal newspaperles infos the news

le week-end weekendloffice (church) service

Once at work, there are normally no breaks until lunch. The Frenchdont often snack, preferring to wait for an enjoyable lunch.

The lunch break used to be two hours, but nowadays its usually

about an hour or an hour and a half. By law, it must be a minimum

of 45 minutes if the business or shop remains open all day.

The working day ends at five oclock for administrative services

and at six oclock or half past six for most offices and private

companies. People working in shops will not finish before seven

oclock or later.

Schools usually finish earlier, particularly where very small children

are concerned, although even primary schools may continue until

five oclock. This means that grandparents or nannies are often

asked to collect children from school, give them their goter,

an afternoon snack, and ensure they start their homework.

KEYWORDS



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Life in France 50

LEISURE TIME

Les sorties

WLANGUAGE TIPS

When you go to visit a famous place or a museum, you can use

the verb visiter: Jai visit le Louvre quand je suis all Paris.I visited the Louvre when I was in Paris.

However, when you visit a person you should use the expression

rendre visite: Je suis alle rendre visite ma tante hier.I went to visit my aunt yesterday.

When talking about the release of a new film, you will need to ask:

Quand est-ce que ce film va sortir en salle ?When will this film be in cinemas?

If you want to know at what time a particular film is showing,

you should ask:

Cest quelle heure la prochaine sance ?

When is the next showing?

You can find other examples of asking aboutthe times of activities in Lemploi du temps, p.22.

For further examples of asking for information,you can refer to Les courses, p.15.

LEARN MORE

When you go to see a foreign film inFrance, you should check whether, afterthe title, the letters VF or VO appear.The former indicates that it is the Frenchversion and that the dialogue will bedubbed in French. When a film is markedVO, it means it is the version originaleand French subtitles will have been added.

You will probably find that performances,other than films, will not start exactly ontime in France but about 10 or 15 minuteslate. The French mockingly call this lepetit quart dheure, which is their wayof affectionately accepting this.

CULTURAL TIPSIN JUNE, MANY

THEATRES AND

CONCERT HALLS

WILL START SELLING

SEASON TICKETS,

LES ABONNEMENTS.



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Life in France 58

LEISURE TIME

Le sport

Most famousTwo events dominate the sportingcalendar in France: the FrenchOpen tennis tournament andLe Tour de France bicycle race.

The French Open is known bythe name of the site where thetournament takes place in Paris,le stade Roland-Garros, namedafter a famous World War I Frenchaviator. Roland-Garros runs overtwo weeks in late May and earlyJune and is the largest and mostfamous clay-court tournament inthe world. It is one of the four GrandSlam tournaments and the onlyone played on clay. The FrenchmanYannick Noah won Roland-Garros

in 1983.

Le sport

in France means walks and longer hikes are popular.usually includes time spent skiing in the winter.has meant lasting popularity for key French sports personalities.

is an element in the grading of school-leaving exams.includes two important sporting events: Le Tour de France and Roland-Garros.

Circle the words that dont belong.A. les baskets, les skis, les chaussures de marche,

les pantalons

B. un set, un corner, un ace, une raquette

C. le judo, le rugby, le football, le tennis

D. un short, un bret, un tee-shirt, un maillot

E. nager, surfer, plonger, grimper

Quiz

Answers:A.lespantalons(lespantalonsarenotwornonthefeet),B.uncorner(uncornerisinfootball,nottennis,)C.lejudo(theothersareballsports),D.unbret(youdontwearabretforasportingactivity),E.grimper(theothersarewatersports).

KEYPOINTS

Le Tour de France is a gruellingbicycle race that is held annually.The first race was in 1903 and ithas since become one of the worldstop cycling events. The race takesplace in July and lasts for threeweeks with a finish on the Champs-lyses. The route changes everyyear but always includes sectionsin the mountains and time trials.The overall winner gets to wearthe famous yellow jersey. Everyyear millions of people line the

route to watch the race.



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Life in France 63

LEISURE TIME

Les vacances

On prend la voiture. Cest plus simple.Were going by car. Its easier.

Nous allons en Corse cette anne.Were going to Corsica this year.

Nous avons lou un gte en Provence pour un mois.

Weve rented a holiday cottage in Provence for a month. Mes enfants adorent la mer.

My children love the seaside. On prend trois semaines en juillet.

Were taking three weeks off in July. Nous allons camper en Ardche.

Were going camping in the Ardche. Nous partirons plus tard.

Well go away later. Nous allons nous reposer un peu.

Were going to rest a bit.

YOU WILL HEAR

RememberHolidays or vacations can have severaldifferent names in French dependingon their nature and length.

A short holiday over a weekend with anextra day added will be called un longweek-end. If it is extended further becausethe Tuesday or Thursday is a public holiday,

it will be called un pont, the intervening daymaking literally a bridge with the publicholiday. School holidays are les vacancesscolaires and the main summer schoolholidays are called les grandes vacances.

Days taken off work may be called desjours de congs or des jours de RTTdepending upon whether the leave is partof a persons paid holiday entitlementor compensatory time off. The latter is aresult of the introduction of the 35-hourweek (rduction du temps de travail)following which the hours worked up to39 hours could be cumulated and takenas days off. The annual summer leave foremployees is called les congs annuels.

Gradually, children from the growing middle classes also began

to spend part of the long summer school holidays in les colos,

as they became known affectionately. As more mothers joined

the work force, it became a practical way of giving children a safe

and stimulating environment during the summer months when

paid annual leave was shorter than the school holidays.

The heyday ofles colos was in the 1960s. Since then, they have had

to compete increasingly with foreign language courses and coaching

in a variety of sports as parents decided their children needed

to acquire added skills. For many French people, however, les colos

remain a precious childhood experience.



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Life in France 68

The general upkeep, quality of construction

and appearance of an apartment buildingis called le standing. If luxury apartments

are described, they will be said to bede grand standing.

The suburbs of French cities, les banlieues,are, contrary to those in many English-speaking countries, often the mostdeprived areas of a city. They aregenerally associated with economic andsocial problems including, in some cases,violence and drugs. The connotations

are comparable with those of the terminner city in English.

Le logement

F

WHAT TO EXPECT

From an impressive, spacious apartment in a traditional Haussmannian

building on one of Pariss main avenues to a miniscule chambre

de bonne, or maids room, under the rafters, the range of propertyfor rent or purchase in Frances capital city is enormous. However,

there will be one common characteristic: it will be expensive.

The demand for apartments is considerable, particularly intra-muros

in one of Pariss 20 arrondissements. Large apartments are difficult

to find, especially on the average budget, so many people have to

make do with small apartments, often on the upper floors of older

buildings that dont have lifts or elevators. Extra square metres and

the presence of a lift are an important factor in the rent or purchase

price of an apartment.

Whether in Paris or other cities in France, the choice will be betweenan apartment in an older building, described familiarly as dans

lancien, or in a modern block, dans le neuf. Traditional buildingswill have the advantage of high ceilings, sometimes with thenarrowly spaced beams characteristic ofles plafonds la franaise,parquet floors, vast fireplaces and French windows.

CULTURAL TIPS

LIFESTYLE

Le logement



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Life in France 79

LIFESTYLE

Lducation

AHISTORY AND TRADITIONS

A nursery or primary school teacher used to be called un instituteur.

When reading French novels or when visiting museums depicting

local life, you will find many references to linstituteur. His role was

an important one. In many small villages there was only one class

in the primary school and linstituteurtaught the children together.

Linstituteurknew all the village children and was a point of reference

because of his learning. It was always considered that there were

three key male figures in a village: the priest (le cur), the mayor

(le maire) and linstituteur.

The first instituteurs appeared during the French Revolution. Since

the priests had been banished, illiteracy had become a real problem.

The State, therefore, took over the traditional teaching role of the

church and organised the training of teachers known as les instituteurs.

Poorly paid and working without proper means, the life of an

instituteurwas not an easy one. Finally, in 1889, they became State

employees. After the law of 1905 consolidated the separation of

church and State, their status and pay gradually improved.

Un pion can be translated by apawn, as in chess. It is also theslang name given to un surveillant,the person, usually a universitystudent, who helps maintaindiscipline and who supervisespupils when teachers are notpresent.

Dont forget that if a French persontells you he is aprofesseur, itdoesnt necessarily mean he hasa chair in a university. Any teacherin secondary or in higher educationis known as un professeur.

Since 1989, les instituteurs, traditionally trained in teacher training

colleges, les coles normales, are gradually being replaced bylesprofesseurs des coles who have a university degree. Since 2010,

primary school teachers have been required to have a masters degree.

Although it is best to refer to a primary school teacher as un professeur

des coles, you will still hear French people talk about linstituteur,

frequently shortened to linstit. Old habits die hard.

RememberThere are some expressions inFrench when talking abouteducation that can easily tripyou up.

To pass an exam in French isrussir un examen. Passer unexamen means simply to take

an exam. And dont be surprisedif a young person refers toscherlcole. Literally translated,to dry school may indeedseem odd, but it actually meansto skive off or skip school.



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Life in France 84

LIFESTYLE

Le travail

Finally, around six in the evening, most people will pack up andleave, not forgetting to say goodbye to their colleagues. Executives,

les cadres, may stay on longer, as that is what is expected of them.

Of course, if its a Friday afternoon, there probably wont be many

people in the office. The 35-hour working week means that Friday

afternoons are no longer on many peoples timetable. The motorways,

though, will be busy even earlier in the afternoon than usual as

people rush to their second homes in the countryside, or the sunnier

South, for what they consider to be a well-deserved break from the

world ofle travail.

The boss in a company is le patron inFrench, but you may also hear himreferred to as le big boss, le chef, or morepejoratively as le singe, the monkey.

In some French companies, employeesreceive what is known as le treizimemois, the 13th month. This is a bonusequivalent to an extra months salary,

usually paid at the years end. It is partof the work contract, not an occasionalbonus, and is used as an enticement toattract and keep staff. Certain companieseven offer le quatorzime mois, but thisis far more rare!

It is a legal requirement in France forevery employee to have a work contract.Employees nearly always prefer to havepermanent contracts as they can find itdifficult to rent an apartment or obtaina bank loan without one. However,companies are often reluctant becauseof the complex rules in France whenmaking people redundant or firing them.Many companies prefer therefore to issueshort-term contracts, particularly indifficult economic times.

O est-ce que vous travaillez ?Where do you work?

Vous avez un travail plein temps ?Do you have a full-time job?

Vous aimez votre travail ?

Do you like your job? Vous travaillez dans lindustrie ?

Do you work in the industrial sector? Je travaille de chez moi.

I work from home. Je suis mdecin.

Im a doctor. Mon patron est trs sympa.

My boss is very nice. Je travaille dans une petite entreprise.

I work in a small company.

CULTURAL TIPS

USEFUL PHRASES

SOCIAL SECURITY

CONTRIBUTIONS PAID

BY EMPLOYEES AND

EMPLOYERS ARE HIGH

IN FRANCE.



11/11

Life in France 89

FASHION IS A WAY

OF LIFE IN FRANCE.

LIFESTYLE

La mode

La mode

W

WHAT TO EXPECT

When the British Queen Elizabeth II made an official visit to Paris in

the 70s, a Parisian newspaper dedicated an entire page to discussing

and illustrating how the Queen carried her handbag. This attentionto detail is typical of the French approach to fashion, la mode.Fashion is a way of life in France. People care about the way they

look and the image they project.

The French can dress up, but they are also masters of a casual chic.

Casual means relaxed, but never untidy or shapeless. Tracksuits

are worn in the gym, but not in the street. A pullover across the

shoulders will have the sleeves tied in front just so.

A scarf will seem to fall just right to give an extra degree of elegance

to a classic coat and a piece of costume jewellery will give, as the

French say, a touch offantaisieto a simple dress.

Coco Chanel suggested that everyoneshould look in the mirror before leavingthe house and remove one item, such asa belt or a necklace, before going out.

In boutiques in France, shop assistants

selling clothes or accessories will oftenshow you how best to tie a scarf orstylishly adjust the clothes item you arepurchasing.

In a perfume shop, une parfumerie, youcan try perfumes and purchase cosmeticsand skin care products. These shops areextremely busy around Mothers Day,Valentines Day and during Decemberas French people consider perfume to bean excellent gift.

CULTURAL TIPS


life in france book2

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