Eggs and bacon or the daily croissant? with Laurel Henning
Le goûter, a snack enjoyed daily at around 4pm by French adults and children alike, was introduced to me by one gentleman as a foreign concept, because of my English origins. Had Monsieur never heard of the great English institution that is afternoon tea? There is also an assumption that the English obsess over jelly, though the originality of this stereotype escapes me.
One thing students love to know about are English schools. Following our discussions it seems they view them equally as prisons and holiday camps. The idea of a prison is a result of the uniform. Not only is this a completely foreign concept to them, but they also struggle to understand the advantages of it. English schools look like holiday camps after comparing timetables. These students have school days that can last up to nine hours, as well as Saturday school! A 9am till 3.30pm day is difficult for them to even imagine.
T
he question I have been asked most frequently by my students whilst teaching on my year
abroad in Paris is simple, ‘Which is better, France or England?’ For me, the answer is not quite as simple because the two are extremely
different from one another. So, when I was asked to write an article for The Four Shires about the differences between the two, I was more than happy to oblige.
Food is an enormous part of everyday life in France. It does more than just provide sustenance, it brings people together and it makes them smile. This is one country not appropriate for those embracing a gluten free lifestyle. Boulangeries and pâtisseries are everywhere, enticing you in with the smells of freshly baked wonders. I have made it a personal mission to taste each cake and pastry at least once and so far, a Religieuse au chocolat is by far the height of decadence. Imagine one large, perfectly formed profiterole, attached with Chantilly cream to another profiterole, smaller, but just as perfectly formed. Fill and ice both of them with chocolate and what you are left with is complete satisfaction for any self- confessed chocoholic.
The French seem to be under the assumption that we eat eggs and bacon everyday for breakfast. Although more of a cereal and orange juice girl myself, I have been more than happy to enjoy a croissant and coffee!
Living in the heart of the countryside at home in England, city life can sometimes make one feel like a fish out of water. The smiles from those you know in your town or village, the traditional values of a community and the support which that community gives to its local businesses, can feel a world away. Fortunately, I have stumbled across a local market where I live. The Sunday pilgrimage to the market square is more than the weekly shop, it is a social event. I couldn’t have felt more welcomed when I first visited in October and I have returned as often as possible since. The greengrocer in particular always provides a warm welcome as he announces the arrival of l’Anglaise to the rest of the market.
I end my short comparative here and perhaps you can conclude which is best, eggs and bacon or the daily croissant? I have been here for four months and the answer still escapes me, though I am certain there is no place quite like home.
• Would you trade a full English Breakfast for a croissant and coffee?
March 2011 55
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