When I moved to Paris 9 years ago, I shouldn't have worried so much about dressing 'wrong' and knowing French
Some of the biggest challenges of moving to Paris from the UK weren't what I expected, from language barriers to vacation culture to fashion.
When Jodie Hughes moved to Paris nine years ago, she wasn't overly concerned about her fashion choices or mastering the French language. Surprisingly, she found that her language skills weren't as crucial as she'd anticipated, as many Parisians spoke English. This convenience, however, hindered her efforts to improve her French.
The language barrier was less of a challenge than initially thought, as she discovered that English-speaking expats dominated social interactions, including restaurant settings, shops, and public transport. Consequently, Jodie's French proficiency remained rudimentary, but she eventually boosted her conversational skills through dating apps.
Nevertheless, Jodie encountered unforeseen obstacles that she hadn't considered prior to her relocation. The bureaucratic processes in France proved to be more daunting than anticipated, particularly for EU citizens like herself. Tasks such as obtaining a social-security number and health card took longer and required more effort than she expected.
Despite her optimism, Jodie still struggles with the French administrative system, urging newcomers to remain patient and dedicated in their efforts to navigate these challenges.
Jodie was also pleasantly surprised by Paris' fashion landscape. Contrary to her preconceived notions, she didn't feel the pressure to conform to a certain dress code. She discovered that Parisians exhibit a diverse range of styles and levels of dressiness, from extravagant to understated, without judgment. This liberating fashion environment allowed her to express her personal style without concern for fitting Parisian norms.
One unexpected aspect of life in Paris was the city's Sunday schedule. Unlike Jodie's expectations, many businesses, including popular department stores, remained closed on Sundays. This pattern, enforced by local labor laws, created uncertainty for residents and visitors alike. Jodie found that only about half of the shops she frequented were open on Sundays, and even those that advertised Sunday hours often had inconsistent closing times.
Consequently, she advises potential expatriates to avoid relying on Sunday shopping and to plan accordingly for essential purchases, particularly when alcohol is involved.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
