I’ve lived in France since 2012 and I’ve had loads of time through the years 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 data and hold my opinions out of it for essentially the most half, however not in the present day. Some opinions are coming proper at you! Listed below are seven issues I really feel France does higher than the USA.
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 superb! You’ll discover a number of the finest on the planet in France. Talking of wine particularly, you possibly can purchase it straight from the producer and it’s reasonably priced. You possibly can even discover good wines on the grocery store for below 10 euros/bottle. Or go on a highway journey. There are wineries all around the nation that you would be able to 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 strive genuine French bread in France, you possibly can’t return to consuming the rest. And there’s not simply baguettes however all types of various breads and pastries you possibly can strive.
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. Increased training prices
It prices a fortune to go to varsity 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 selection. Actually, in line with Federal Pupil Mortgage Portfolio, they report that as of June 2023, the typical federal pupil mortgage debt within the U.S. was about $37,650. Additionally in June 2023, the full federal pupil mortgage debt steadiness was simply over $1.63 trillion.
To provide you an thought of school prices, I had a have a look at US Information & World Reviews. The typical price of tuition and costs 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 effectively into the six figures that may take a long time to repay. Increased training shouldn’t be price prohibitive! France appears to grasp that.
For many people in the USA, relying on the place we went to highschool, the one possibility was a 4-year college for those who have been on that monitor. However in France, commerce and technical faculties are widespread. Two-year levels are additionally very common issues to pursue in an effort to put together your self for a specific profession.
In France, the federal government subsidizes tuition charges so the typical public college in France prices €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 somewhat extra, closely sponsored although nonetheless, at €2,770 euros per 12 months, €3,770 for postgraduate research.
Non-public faculties are increased however nowhere close to what they’re within the U.S. College students graduating with out debt is an effective factor. Strategy to go France!
3. Reasonably priced healthcare
In France, healthcare is a fundamental human proper afforded to all and never a privilege or good thing about working for a superb employer. Actually, in France for those who lose your job, you and your loved ones don’t lose healthcare protection together with it. Dental care too. Costs of various companies and coverings are clearly posted within the docs’ ready rooms so you recognize what you’re going to pay forward of time.
Isn’t that the way in which it ought to be in all places on the planet? Healthcare is such a fundamental human proper, however within the U.S. many individuals are uninsured or underinsured. Healthcare prices — together with remedy 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 dying price is 3.9 per 1,000 dwell 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 price 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 prognosis 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 incredible, and to study extra about them, I made a behind-the-scenes video at a French pharmacy that you would be able to watch to achieve a greater understanding.
Myths about French healthcare you need 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 individuals don’t have weapons on them.
Can a personal citizen personal a gun in France? Sure, however it’s a reasonably in-depth course of. Its supposed use is on the capturing vary and except for that, a private weapon must be locked in a gun protected. You’ll additionally want a medical certificates, a house protected, and a legitimate capturing license (that you just do on the vary, which takes time). That’s all required earlier than you possibly can 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 capturing — and you may’t stroll round with a gun in public regardless (searching can be an exception).
On high of that, perhaps extra importantly, the overwhelming majority of French individuals don’t have any need to personal a weapon or pursue any sort of capturing license. It simply isn’t a factor.
For me, it comes all the way down to this. There are six occasions extra weapons within the U.S. than France, and positive the inhabitants is larger, however the price of firearm murder per 100,000 individuals 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 serious plus. From excessive pace trains, the TGV (practice à grande vitesse), to tramways and buses and metro networks, you may get round France with out driving or flying fairly simply.
Actually, France has 27,483 kilometers of railway strains (solely second to Germany) making practice journey in France a very talked-about possibility for good purpose. It’s typically reasonably priced as effectively. 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 go away
Maternity go away 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 delivery and one other 10 after. It’s longer when you’ve got twins, if there are problems, or if it’s your third baby.
One thing I discovered attention-grabbing is that maternity go away 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 go away, it breaks down as follows: 4 days of necessary go away proper after the delivery after which 21 extra days inside the subsequent six months. Adoptive mother and father additionally get go away (somewhat bit shorter although). Keep in mind, this quantity of paid go away is what’s given by legislation and isn’t a perk of working for an ideal firm.
Within the U.S., it’d shock you to know that corporations are below no authorized obligation to supply paid parental go away or any go away in any respect, though good corporations do and package deal it as a profit. The Household Medical Go away Act (FMLA) covers as much as 12 weeks of unpaid go away however is barely an possibility for many who work at an organization with a minimum of 50 workers.
France isn’t the unicorn. It’s the U.S. that’s the outlier. Most civilized nations provide paid maternity go away. 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 individuals the time they want earlier than anticipating them to be again at work.
7. Work-life steadiness together with 5 weeks of paid trip time
Folks in France — and I’d wager many nations world wide — work to dwell and never the opposite approach 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 a very powerful factor in individuals’s lives and it’s not so entwined with individuals’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 time beyond regulation.
Relaxation time is vital 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 effectively if they’ve Saturday hours.
That is all to say that the French way of life prioritizes relaxation, trip, household time over just about the whole lot else. They actually have a phrase for individuals who trip in July and August. Listed below are some the reason why I like residing in France.
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I wish to hear from you down within the feedback. What issues does France get proper?
Within the title of steadiness, keep tuned for the reverse put up on what issues the U.S. does higher than France. Additionally, I’ve a Francophile vacation reward information now dwell that I’d love so that you can try. They’re all high quality items that I both personal or have tried through the years.
Thanks and see you again right here on Oui In France quickly!
