Differences

      Oh my gracious, I don't even know where to start. Basically I've complied a list of the banal things I don't want to forget. You see, I figure that I'll remember the big things, but I don't want to forget the small things. So here is my list:
*the word "cool": the french say "c'est tres cool" to say something is interesting. And they say it with such a cute accent and it sounds like 'kewl'--it's adorable
*tu vs. vous: trying when to figure out when I need to use the formal vs. the informal
*smoking: my morning tradition was this--to wake up, drink coffee, step outside and inhale a massive breath of smoke
*old building: when I look up and realize I'm standing beside something that is hundreds of years old. Months later? It's still breathtaking every time.
*people always being in a relationship: I've asked the French and they admit that they often define themselves based on whether they are dating someone or not...interesting
*thursday night party: I still don't understand why the French college students always party on Thursday night and go to Friday classes hungover/still drunk
*winking: people here just wink at you to signify a joke, a laugh, etc. I'm probably going to start doing this in the States and people will think I'm flirting--but I won't be
*bisous: when you stare at someone for more than 2 seconds, it's obligatory to do the French bisous (kiss) greeting
*burning cars: people here burn cars (by burn I mean the car is beyond recognizably burnt) just for fun
*men peeing everywhere: seriously. I have seen way too many men peeing in the streets--even in broad day light
*dog poop: ah yes, this is everywhere. When walking, you are obliged to look down at your path in order to assure that you aren't stepping in dog crap
*beeping the horns for marriages: a caravan of cars full of people sticking their heads out of the windows while screaming, blasting music, and incessantly beeping obviously signifies a marriage. I'm just curious why they make so much noise for a marriage but nada for all the divorces . . . 
*walking everywhere: ah, yes--walking a few miles every day is nothing now. What's stranger? I really enjoy this.
*French people are obsessed with their image: I've actually had several conversations with my teachers and French friends. They all admit that the French are overly obsessed with their body image--it's fascinating to ask why they are like that though because they give so many different answers.
*france is the #1 country in regards to an increase in meat consumption: I actually just find this interesting . . .
*being able to hop on a train and explore other countries: seriously America, why haven't you jumped on board with this idea yet? It's lovely to spend a weekend in Switzerland and then return to France.
*hearing a swirl of languages about you: it's like you're catch in a whirlwind of chinese, spanish, french, etc. It's lovely.
*how people can just walk away from goodbyes: somehow people just can walk out of your life without acknowledging that you'll never see each other again. They say "au revoir"  which literally translates to "till the re-seeing" but you know you'll never see them again.
*religious symbols but lack of religion: there is a massive cross that overlooks the city and the entire town shuts down on Sunday but there is no alive religion to be found
*strikes: I think the French people just sincerely enjoy going on strike. Yesterday I walked by a strike against Hollande and his policy on horses--no joke. 
*the police: I've never seen the police do anything useful. Even the people in Chambery say that. The one time I saw them at work was when they were stopping traffic so that the people who were striking about the horses could take up the entire road . . .
*delicious tarts: need I say more? just yum
*bars: I'm going to miss how bars aren't pick up joints but they're just a place to hang out with friends--and I might add that I have some pretty great friends here
     Well, I'll probably add more later but that's it for now! Oh, I saw a guy do an amazing dance tonight with a yo-yo. Seriously--it's too awesome for words and I don't know how to upload videos on a blog so oh well! Bonne nuit a tous et a toutes!