I’ve lived in France since 2012 and I’ve had a variety of time over time to mirror on the French lifestyle and the way it differs from how we do issues within the U.S. Normally right here on the weblog, I attempt to present info and hold my opinions out of it for probably the most half, however not as we speak. Some opinions are coming proper at you! Listed below are seven issues I really feel France does higher than the US.
7 Issues France does higher than the U.S.
1. Wine/bread/cheese
Everybody is aware of France does meals proper. Interval. French wine, bread and cheese are wonderful! You’ll discover a number of the greatest on this planet in France. Talking of wine particularly, you’ll be able to purchase it straight from the producer and it’s reasonably priced. You may even discover good wines on the grocery store for below 10 euros/bottle. Or go on a street journey. There are wineries all around the nation that you could go to.
On high of that, the bread in France is phenomenal and there are bakeries seemingly on each nook. All of them make fairly darn good bread. When you attempt genuine French bread in France, you’ll be able to’t return to consuming anything. And there’s not simply baguettes however all types of various breads and pastries you’ll be able to attempt.
Let’s not overlook in regards to the cheese. It’s additionally reasonably priced and a should after each meal. What can I say? France will get wine, bread, and cheese proper!
77 Little variations about life in France >>
2. Larger schooling prices
It prices a fortune to go to school within the U.S. as of late and lots of college students can’t afford it in any respect, not to mention their college of alternative. In reality, based on Federal Pupil Mortgage Portfolio, they report that as of June 2023, the common federal pupil mortgage debt within the U.S. was about $37,650. Additionally in June 2023, the overall federal pupil mortgage debt stability was simply over $1.63 trillion.
To present you an concept of school prices, I had a have a look at US Information & World Experiences. The common price of tuition and charges to attend a ranked non-public college for the 2023-24 college 12 months is $42,162. For one 12 months. With out housing.
And don’t even get me began on the debt medical professionals get into. Many docs graduate with pupil mortgage debt nicely into the six figures that may take a long time to repay. Larger schooling shouldn’t be price prohibitive! France appears to know that.
For many people in the US, relying on the place we went to highschool, the one choice was a 4-year college when you have been on that monitor. However in France, commerce and technical faculties are widespread. Two-year levels are additionally very common issues to pursue so as to put together your self for a specific profession.
In France, the federal government subsidizes tuition charges so the common public college in France expenses €170 per 12 months for a bachelor’s diploma, €243 for a grasp’s diploma, €380 for a PhD and €601 to attend an engineering college. For worldwide undergraduate college students, the charges can be slightly extra, closely sponsored although nonetheless, at €2,770 euros per 12 months, €3,770 for postgraduate examine.
Personal faculties are larger however nowhere close to what they’re within the U.S. College students graduating with out debt is an efficient factor. Method to go France!
3. Reasonably priced healthcare
In France, healthcare is a primary human proper afforded to all and never a privilege or advantage of working for a very good employer. In reality, in France when you lose your job, you and your loved ones don’t lose healthcare protection together with it. Dental care too. Costs of various providers and coverings are clearly posted within the docs’ ready rooms so what you’re going to pay forward of time.
Isn’t that the way in which it ought to be in all places on this planet? Healthcare is such a primary human proper, however within the U.S. many individuals are uninsured or underinsured. Healthcare prices — together with treatment prices — within the U.S. are exorbitant.
The WSJ writes, “Entry to well being care seems to have produced a more healthy nation. France’s toddler loss of life charge is 3.9 per 1,000 reside births, in contrast with seven per 1,000 within the U.S. The nation has extra hospital beds and docs per capita than the U.S., and a markedly decrease charge of mortality from respiratory illness. And France spends much less (10.7% of gross home product) on well being care than the U.S. (16% of GDP).”
Hmmm, France appears to be doing one thing proper. Now after all French healthcare isn’t with out its shortcomings, no system is ideal, however it’s good to know an accident or critical well being analysis isn’t going to bankrupt you. And that offers me peace of thoughts.
On the subject of healthcare, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out French pharmacies. They’re implausible, and to be taught extra about them, I made a behind-the-scenes video at a French pharmacy that you could watch to achieve a greater understanding.
Myths about French healthcare it is best to cease believing >>
4. Gun legal guidelines
Sure, weapons exist in France however know what doesn’t? Folks obsessive about their weapons. There’s no gun tradition. There’s no open and hid carry. I don’t worry being shot when strolling round in France as a result of folks don’t have weapons on them.
Can a non-public citizen personal a gun in France? Sure, however it’s a reasonably in-depth course of. Its meant use is on the taking pictures vary and apart from that, a private weapon must be locked in a gun secure. You’ll additionally want a medical certificates, a house secure, and a legitimate taking pictures license (that you just do on the vary, which takes time). That’s all required earlier than you’ll be able to apply to get a weapons allow and that is the case nationwide.
In France, a gun isn’t for private safety or a logo of 1’s freedom — it’s for sport taking pictures — and you’ll’t stroll round with a gun in public regardless (looking can be an exception).
On high of that, possibly extra importantly, the overwhelming majority of French folks don’t have any need to personal a weapon or pursue any kind of taking pictures license. It simply isn’t a factor.
For me, it comes all the way down to this. There are six instances extra weapons within the U.S. than France, and certain the inhabitants is greater, however the charge of firearm murder per 100,000 folks is 4.52 within the U.S. and 0.24 in France. Sufficient stated.
5. Public transportation
France is a a lot smaller nation than the U.S. and I’ve to say that France’s public transportation is a significant plus. From excessive pace trains, the TGV (prepare à grande vitesse), to tramways and buses and metro networks, you may get round France with out driving or flying fairly simply.
In reality, France has 27,483 kilometers of railway traces (solely second to Germany) making prepare journey in France a highly regarded choice for good purpose. It’s usually reasonably priced as nicely. I wrote a information to coach journey in France (together with the place to purchase tickets so that you don’t get ripped off).
6. Maternity depart
Maternity depart in France is a minimal of 16 weeks lengthy. Quickly-to-be moms are entitled to 16 weeks off work with pay, which breaks down to 6 weeks earlier than beginning and one other 10 after. It’s longer you probably have twins, if there are issues, or if it’s your third youngster.
One thing I discovered fascinating is that maternity depart is compulsory. It’s strictly forbidden to not take it… a lot in order that the employer could also be fined as much as €1,500 if a pregnant particular person doesn’t comply and tries to work throughout this time!
Turning to paternity depart, it breaks down as follows: 4 days of obligatory depart proper after the beginning after which 21 extra days throughout the subsequent six months. Adoptive dad and mom additionally get depart (slightly bit shorter although). Keep in mind, this quantity of paid depart is what’s given by regulation and isn’t a perk of working for an awesome firm.
Within the U.S., it would shock you to know that firms are below no authorized obligation to supply paid parental depart or any depart in any respect, though good firms do and package deal it as a profit. The Household Medical Go away Act (FMLA) covers as much as 12 weeks of unpaid depart however is simply an choice for many who work at an organization with no less than 50 workers.
France will not be the unicorn. It’s the U.S. that’s the outlier. Most civilized nations supply paid maternity depart. France wins right here and I say this as somebody who’s child-free. I’ve no horse on this race. However it’s good to know that France offers folks the time they want earlier than anticipating them to be again at work.
7. Work-life stability together with 5 weeks of paid trip time
Folks in France — and I’d wager many nations all over the world — work to reside and never the opposite manner round. All full-time workers get 5 weeks of paid trip per 12 months that they’re anticipated to take (plus public holidays). Work isn’t crucial factor in folks’s lives and it’s not so entwined with folks’s identities.
It’s not a badge of honor to say you have been within the workplace till midnight or made an additional $1000 working extra time.
Relaxation time is necessary too, a lot so that almost all shops are closed on Sundays and after 8 p.m., generally earlier in small cities. Some locations like banks are even closed throughout lunchtime. My financial institution is closed from 12-2. You’ll even discover that some shops and locations of enterprise, like my financial institution, are closed all day on Mondays as nicely if they’ve Saturday hours.
That is all to say that the French way of life prioritizes relaxation, trip, household time over just about every thing else. They actually have a phrase for individuals who trip in July and August. Listed below are some the explanation why I really like dwelling in France.
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I need to hear from you down within the feedback. What issues does France get proper?
Within the title of stability, keep tuned for the reverse submit on what issues the U.S. does higher than France. Additionally, I’ve a Francophile vacation reward information now reside that I’d love so that you can take a look at. They’re all high quality presents that I both personal or have tried over time.
Thanks and see you again right here on Oui In France quickly!
