A French Day vs. An American Day By: Samantha Mallozzi

Meals Breakfast is a rapid meal, usually consisting of only bread, butter, and jam. Coffee or tea are common drinks at this time. Lunch, traditionally was a two hour break, has been replaced by a one hour break. Sunday lunch has remained a long meal, in which family and friends gather together. Dinner has become the main meal of the day. *Only young children tend to have snacks between meals. Traditional meals have at least three courses, hors d’ œuvre, plat principal (a main course), and cheese/dessert. All are accompanied by bread, wine, and mineral water. *Today the French spend less time at the meal table during the work week. Meals have become more simple, usually consisting of two courses.

Bread and Pastries Boulangerie- The French bakery; it is a part of the everyday life in France. Baquette- the most cherished national symbols. Bread holds a significant political standing since the days of Queen Mary Antoinette. This is so, because during the French Revolution the French had no bread. Since then, the French government would not allow the price of bread to climb out of reach for the poorest French families. No French meal is complete without bread. Many pastries have historical or religious connections. One example of this would be an une religieuse, an éclair shaped to resemble a nun.

Cafés One of the best know symbols of French lifestyle. They sell espresso, drinks, and food before and after restaurants have closed. Alcoholic beverages are served. At most cafés it is common to stand at a table, as opposed to sitting. Tipping has been replaced with a service charge.

Work The standard French working week is 35 hours. A typical workday starts at 9:00a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. If you would like to go shopping do not go between 12:30 and 3 p.m., especially outside Paris: shops are closed and shop-keepers are enjoying their lunch.

Common Activities to do After Work Read the newspaper- In Paris, the most read newspapers are Le Figaro or Le Monde Read a magazine - Among Europeans, the French are the biggest readers of weekly magazines, unlike the USA, they are sold much more by copy than by subscription. l'Express or le Point and l'Observateur are some of the most commonly read. Watch TV : Just like the USA, there are hundreds of channels through cable or satellite. Listen to the Radio- Enjoy a before-dinner drink- less frequently but depending on the region or the social status, it can be port wine or whisky, or a traditional " anisé " drink (like Ricard) ; you drink champagne (" brut ", i.e. dry, of course) whenever you want to celebrate something special Shop every day : Before EACH meal, you buy your bread, generally a baguette. Buy a lottery ticket-The French lottery is known as the loto.

Smoking Everyone smokes, everywhere as opposed to America where in many places smoking is prohibited. 66,000 people each year die in France as a result of smoking. 90 percent of all lung cancers are caused by actually smoking and a 5 percent by passive smoking. France is to ban smoking in all public places from next February. Public places include stations, museums, government offices and shops, but not streets or private places such as houses or hotel rooms.

American Day An average American adult will usually work 40 hours a week. When surveyed, Americans report that they have only sixteen and a half hours of leisure a week, after the obligations of job and household are taken care of.

American Pastimes American football is the most popular nationwide, but baseball, both amateur and professional, is considered America's "national pastime.” Basketball remains a very popular sport in the USA. Ice hockey is also popular, especially in certain regions. NASCAR racing is very popular, especially in the south. Soccer is not a very popular sport but it is increasing popularity with Major League Soccer as a major factor.

American Food Contributions of various immigrant groups have made an impact on many so called American dishes. American food is in fact based upon the cooking traditions of other countries. For example, apple pies, pizza, chowder, and hamburgers are all identical to European dishes. The cuisine of the East Coast and Pacific Northwest makes use of fish and seafood more abundantly than that of the Midwest, where corn and beef are more readily available Many companies in the American food industry develop new products requiring minimal preparation, such as frozen entrees.

Bibliography The French Way by Ross Steele Walking in France by Sandra Bardwell