I found it refreshing to adapt to Parisian culture when it came to taking a break. French culture values work/life balance, which is something I was unfamiliar with as an American. Their meals are slower, their work breaks are longer, and even in the hustle of Paris, there are bounds of cafes and gardens to get away from the rush. For me, with this cultural practice came time to read, write, visit museums, make friends, spend time (virtually of course) with my family, take time to make and eat my dinners, and so much more. This was easy to adapt to and I have implemented the value of balancing work and life now that I am home.
I felt extremely positive about this cultural difference. My research before visiting Paris explained the work/life balance in France; I was more than excited to experience it first hand when I arrived. I felt impassioned to explore my surroundings and my hobbies because of this balance. I feel that the host college also encouraged this practice, which made it easier to implement work/life balance in my own life. It also gave me great joy to see this value expressed in the locals of the city. Taking breaks from work is necessary for not only one’s sanity, but it’s what makes people curious to explore cultures and understand the world.
Because this value is instilled at the core of Parisians and French people in general, they would feel strongly about keeping this cultural aspect strong. French citizens are the backbone to this value, and many times they have fought to keep this value in place. In 2023, there were many protests for the lowering of retirement age when government officials and lawmakers raised the age of retirement. Citizens and workers in Paris value work/life balance so much, and this can even be seen through the intricate structure of the city, the many cultural events, and more. For a Parisian, work/life balance is unarguably necessary for living a well rounded, fulfilling life.
This exercise became not only a deepening tool for my understanding of a different culture, but it was also an ode to the culture itself and a reflection on what I value as a person. I believe that with traveling comes a realization of bounds of major and minor things that one either likes or dislikes. However, the important thing in acknowledging and understanding other cultures is the discovery of the “why” in cultural elements. Unlike the value of work/life balance in France, some “why” questions may not be so easy to answer. Further, some answers may not be as clearly cut. However, that kind of healthy discomfort and critical understanding is what makes a global citizen become open and empathetic to the lives outside of their own. From my experience in Paris and my travels throughout the last semester, I found that the practice of reflection through writing, as well as research, helped me to understand and adapt to the culture.