As someone whose DNA is 100% French (at least for as long as anyone can remember) but who has spent most of her life in the US, I can say that grumpiness is 100% French. That bitter tea flows through our veins. 😜
I laughed out loud several times reading this, especially “He won’t dilute his highly concentrated bitter tea to make others comfortable.” Perfect line.
And the part about retiring from concerts, slipping away after two drinks, and refusing wine bars after dark… let’s just say my own French husband could have written that rulebook himself. Uncanny. Except he’s not a Scorpio. Make of that what you will 😉
Great point. As a french woman married to an American man, I know we give each other more leeway because we understand some of our differences (and potential points of conflict) are cultural, not personal. It helps manage expectations.
Exactly! I think more than half of our arguments are actually cultural misunderstandings when we pause and think about it more closely. Hard to remember in the moment, sometimes.
I'm smitten with this article and the way you wrote it because it's witty, honest, and so true! My Frenchman is a Libra (thankfully, to balance out my Pisces rollercoasters), and he checks all the boxes. What a breath of fresh air to find your Substack, thank you!
Love this ! The excitment part. I am excitable very easily (in the american way btw 🤣) and the difference between me and the rest of my family is telling. My dad is the worse. We surprised him for his 70th birthday, the dude was surprised and happy but honestly it didn't show AT ALL. Even his wife was pissed and wondered whether he enjoyed it 😫🤣
Loved this. Very witty. I went every day to the same yoga studio in Paris and saw the same (mainly local) people in class and after three months no-one had smiled at me, greeted me or even a cheeky wink when a pose was impossible. It was so not Australian where everything is taken unseriously and by day 3 you'd be getting coffee together. But I came to respect the way Parisians don't just give away friendliness which renders it meaningless and unreliable. When you finally get a smile, it means something. Love your writing.
As someone whose DNA is 100% French (at least for as long as anyone can remember) but who has spent most of her life in the US, I can say that grumpiness is 100% French. That bitter tea flows through our veins. 😜
That is so true. My flatmate when living in the UK bought me a mug for my birthday. It wad Grumpy from Snow White 🤣
I laughed out loud several times reading this, especially “He won’t dilute his highly concentrated bitter tea to make others comfortable.” Perfect line.
And the part about retiring from concerts, slipping away after two drinks, and refusing wine bars after dark… let’s just say my own French husband could have written that rulebook himself. Uncanny. Except he’s not a Scorpio. Make of that what you will 😉
So much food for thought here! 👍🏻
Great point. As a french woman married to an American man, I know we give each other more leeway because we understand some of our differences (and potential points of conflict) are cultural, not personal. It helps manage expectations.
Exactly! I think more than half of our arguments are actually cultural misunderstandings when we pause and think about it more closely. Hard to remember in the moment, sometimes.
To share excitement in French you can say "j'ai trop hâte !"
Thank you! I always mess this expression up, I have to practice it so I can say it without hesitation.
My Frenchman is exactly the same when it comes to clothes. It's painful.
I'm smitten with this article and the way you wrote it because it's witty, honest, and so true! My Frenchman is a Libra (thankfully, to balance out my Pisces rollercoasters), and he checks all the boxes. What a breath of fresh air to find your Substack, thank you!
Love this ! The excitment part. I am excitable very easily (in the american way btw 🤣) and the difference between me and the rest of my family is telling. My dad is the worse. We surprised him for his 70th birthday, the dude was surprised and happy but honestly it didn't show AT ALL. Even his wife was pissed and wondered whether he enjoyed it 😫🤣
Loved this. Very witty. I went every day to the same yoga studio in Paris and saw the same (mainly local) people in class and after three months no-one had smiled at me, greeted me or even a cheeky wink when a pose was impossible. It was so not Australian where everything is taken unseriously and by day 3 you'd be getting coffee together. But I came to respect the way Parisians don't just give away friendliness which renders it meaningless and unreliable. When you finally get a smile, it means something. Love your writing.
This is hilarious. My husband is Corsican and a Virgo and grumpy.
He cannot feed himself!!! And he’s allergic to fun sometimes 😹
This hit home as someone also married to a French Scorpio🥲
This was both delightful to read and also low key hilarious 💕 Thank you for sharing this!
As a glee-filled highly excitable American who also loves a contrarian debate, skiing, and French toast costumes, I really want to make S my friend
Best thing I’ve ever read