Fned The Expat

It's funny how my friends in Mexico often tell me that the “only good thing of me living in Europe” (sic) is that I get to “blend” in easier (the blond hair and blue eyes not doing much in my favor back home in terms of "native" recognition) and that people probably don’t even realize that I am a foreigner until after I’ve open my mouth and let out a “Bonjour” that has a ring of a “Que onda” and a “Howdy” all mixed into one….

…. How wrong are they…. Without opening my mouth I scream “Carte de Séjour Holder” in this country …. Here are a few of the things that give me away :

1. I wear sneakers to work and change into high heels once I’m at my desk
2. I refuse to eat yogurt as dessert
3. The idea of tartines and confiture for breakfast never crosses my mind
4. My hair is always in a ponytail
5. I prefer a backpack to a purse
6. I like Monterrey and Cheddar cheese
7. I always forget to sprinkle Herbes de Provence in my salad
8. I smile to strangers on the street
9. I offer to translate if I see the person in front of me in line is having trouble
10. I like cold weather
11. The idea of friends “dropping in” doesn’t stress me
12. My clothes tend to match
13. My perfume is mainstream Sephora-bought stuff (French mainstream, but still mainstream) and not some exotic oriental scent found in a little shop in the marais
14. I prefer The Gap to Manouche
15. I carry a traveler’s toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse
16. I stay away from anything that falls into the “Vintage” category
17. I couldn’t care less about Handball
18. My ideal food while watching a game of soccer is pizza and beer (w/o apéro)
19. In my opinion, the Brittany coastline is NOT an ideal vacation spot if you want to go to the Beach.
20. I stay in the outer lane when in a roundbout (wink at misschrisc)

Despite all this… you can’t say I don’t try very hard to adapt to this country (as I think all Expats do when living abroad). Here are a few of the “efforts” I make :

1. I’ve come to accept the “gouté de 4 heures” ritual (4o’clock snack) and abide by it.
2. I check the weather before walking out the door and for the weekend ahead
3. I always carry a pack of Kleenex on me
4. I stopped drinking Diet coke with my lunch (this used to embarrass hubby in restaurants)
5. I expect the apéro when watching a game of soccer at someone's place
6. I've come to terms with a "salad" consisting only of lettuce and vinaigrette
7. I realize a holiday during which you don’t leave town, doesn’t count
8. My hands don't sweat anymore when speaking about politics with my boss
9. I get frustrated when riding the metro if I don't have something to read on me
10. I suggest we go "se ballader" (to take a walk) on weekends without a precise destination in mind
11. I now know that eating alone is a big no-no
12. A baguette DOES NOT taste the same from one boulangerie to another
13. My bed no longer has sheets and covers but a couette instead
14. I make sure I get my grocery shopping done before 8pm
15. I don't gasp with shock at the meager size of a Birthday Cake anymore
16. I've accepted that chips come only in 2 flavors in this country : plain and cheese
17. I accept (sort of) that Paprika is considered spicy to hot
18. I don't feel silly wearing a skirt in snowy, rainy or cold seasons
19. I carry a map of the city with me at all times, even if I rarely use it
20. I know that "let's go have a beer" means that: ONE beer

Well, they can't say I ain't trying' !!!

Fned.