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Think French people are rude? Think about this, how must they feel visiting us? These tips for French travelers reveal some interesting aspects of American culture. For example:

THEY FEEL NO HUMILIATION ABOUT THEIR EATING HABITS, EVEN WHEN ASKING FOR A “DOGGY BAG”

Americans eat and drink anything and at any time of the day: in the street, in a meeting at work, in the car, on the subway, in the elevator, the movies … So, there are drink rests everywhere: cinema seats, baby strollers, shopping carts at the supermarket, in cars, some bike handlebars. [Source]

The portions are often gargantuan in the United States (but you already knew that). Americans are not embarrassed to ask for a “doggy bag” to take home. They’ll even take home the rest of the tortillas appetizer.

The art of asking for a doggy bag (for a French person) is sometimes difficult to implement; between servers who disappear faster than their shadows, and the dread that you will appear stingy, it is not always easy. [Source]

CUT IN LINE AND AN AMERICAN WILL CUT YOU

The film will start in 3 minutes and there are still 15 people in front of you, including a family of six children who are unable to decide anything. You would be tempted to quietly scrape forward a few places so as to be sure you get your popcorn and miss nothing of the film.

Never! In the United States, small barriers often mark out the entries, lines on the ground indicate where to stop and there is no “He who goes hunting loses his place” mentality there. [Source]

There is no chaotic rush to be first, not even if a spot opens unexpectedly, no “I didn’t see you there.” Here each have their turn in order of arrival, even the elderly. It’s pretty relaxing actually, even though I liked the excitement of notching in the queue. [Source]

Full story at Mental Floss.

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