Some things I have seen.

I have to comment on how openly affectionate men are here in France. Men seem so much more involved with their children. I see solo men picking  up their children from school, pushing baby carriages , strolling with their children, shopping with their children....and they seem happy to do it.
I saw a man retying  his daughters pig tail in the middle of the supermarket. I see many older men holding their wife's arm as they walk. I saw a man openly hugging and kissing his little dog. I see families, including the father, walking together along the river. I saw an old man yesterday with his arms filled with branches of bright yellow mimosa. It's ok for men to love flowers, animals, children, and each other here. It  feels so different to me than what I am used to with American men.

Also, men are very affectionate with each other. When 2 men meet and greet each other with a kiss to both cheeks, it is not rushed , perfunctory , it is sincere. It seems as though the men in France are not in denial of their feminine side. Perhaps it makes women more able to display their masculine side. Women seems to be truly equal to men here, and in a good positive way.

The gym that I joined is very interesting. It's quiet big with all kinds of activities. They even have spinning that is done in the pool. You and the bike are submerged up to your shoulders. The mens and the women's locker room connect to a big Turkish that is lit with blue light. You wear your bathing suit to go in. I don't think I'm ready for that yet.
 At this club, you can get your hair done and have a tanning session. They also have a big restaurant. Their daily specials are things like Beef Bourguignon  , not the healthiest fare but they seem unconcerned with that part of health. In California they would be serving baby lettuces and wheat grass. When you first walk in to the club there is a circular bar where they serve espresso, wine and  beer. There is a huge video screen over hear with music videos going on all the time.
I like it.

The french don't name their animals ordinary people names. My dog walkers dogs are named Slash, Baloo, Betty Boop, M. L's dog is named Chanel. C's dog is Thangkha and now that I think of it, I think it is the same in Italy. I know a Negroni, a Napoleon , a Diamanté, a Bonnie , a  Clyde, a Petula and a Aenas. They think it is odd to have a dog named Kate, or Emile.


Another thing I have noticed is that there are very few car accidents. The driving is definitely more precarious. There are dangerous rotaries in some places that its hard to believe there are not constant accidents on, but no. Everyone seems to know how to traverse safely. I think that because everyone is driving manual, you are more connected to the car and therefore more aware.
I love driving standard here. It's fun and really feels like driving as opposed to the easy lull of an automatic.

Everyone parked Face Out. 

I mentioned that everyone parks face out. I don't know why this is but it is rampant. Perhaps people are early and want to leave fast. I don't know. I see it especially in parking garages where the spaces are so small. Often in these garages, the floor is squeaky and you can hear echoes of  little cars turning around and backing in.

Also, cleaning is always being done. At the supermarket, a man drives around in a big Zamboni type machine with a long stick to pick up trash. He drives around cleaning the floor even at the most crowded time. He's like a big kid on a toy and you better not get in his way....he is dead serious.
The roads are always being cleaned and worked on. I have seen them use big brooms that look like they are made of rough branches to sweep the streets with.

I am lacking this skill...after a certain part of the day, one switches from bonjour to bonsoir. I miss it every time. I will be at a store buying something , I will say bonjour ...and damned if I am in bonsoir time and I am subtlety corrected. I can't seem to get the hang of switching over. In the US, we just say hello all  24 hours....

Me with the red "Temporary"  Plate parked in.