I thought about not 'liking" this so soon after you posted this, not wanting to appear too eager to let you know how much I love your writings, but what the heck. I love your articles, and Don's too!
Hello Theresa. Such a fun but true portrayal of the time management protocol in France and how it differs from that on the East coast of the US particularly in Philadelphia. As someone who lived in PHL and has enjoyed many extended stays in various parts of France, the differences are striking at first but become fun to embrace. I have a Brother in Law who has had some business dealings with French companies and he just doesn’t understand how they are closed for the month of August or extended holidays. I’ve given up trying to explain the cultural differences. I am grateful that I have experienced these differences.
Hi Theresa. I remember as a kid growing up in south Philadelphia tailor shops and clothing factories were everywhere. Unique to that industry was that tailors would be off during the first two weeks of July. The Jersey Shore was full of tailors staying in boarding houses and small motels. Longshoremen would be off in June and august. Ah if we could only return to those simpler times. Sll best….Joseph D retired in Cape May.
Thx. How are you dealing with the heat? I stayed in the Vienne and Paris last June/July when the heat was sweltering. I had to cover myself with damp towels in order to get some sleep. This year I spent about 2 weeks in a Gite outside of Antigny and between Saint Savin and Chauvigny. Way too rural for me. Did get back to Paris for 4 nights before heading home.
Spending time these days watching the Phillies who are kicking some butts. All best…Joe.
A few years ago we bought a portable AC that works pretty well. Except for this last week we haven’t used it often. Under normal conditions we do well using the shutters to manage heat and cooling.
Ooh Theresa. This would drive me bananas. I am always at least 15 minutes early to appointments, sometimes more. I cracked up about you having to hide, I have done that!
My ancestors were primarily half Teutonic and half Irish. So I grant myself the privilege of arriving either on time (Teutonic) or late (Irish), but never early.
It also means that I can leave whenever I want without warning or notice - known as both the "Irish goodbye" and "taking French leave."
So I'm covered on most social fronts. When we lived in Germany, it was customary for those arriving for a social occasion to sit outside in their cars in the street or parking lot and wait until the exact minute of the invitation before strolling up to ring the doorbell. Being late was acceptable if you explained that you were of Irish or southern European upbringing. But arriving early - unacceptable.
I would note that during the years we lived in southern Italy, it was perfectly acceptable to show up for a social engagement as late as you like. If you were invited for dinner at 21H00, for example, no one blinked an eye if you came at, say, 22H00. In fact, you may have been among the first to arrive.
The only time it is essential to keep time, according to MIles Davis, is when you're making music.
Lol, and then there are the people to whom I’ve given different times for arrival. Example: friend in law school consistently 45 minutes to an hour late to dinner parties. I started simply giving an arrival time of an hour before the actual time. 😂
I'm like you, so France's flexible timing used to drive me crazy. I don't know if it's age, but something has changed lately within our different circles of friends, almost all "real French peopl". Nearly everyone has started arriving for lunch and dinner parties right on time, and if people are more than 15 minutes or so late, tant pis, apéro starts without them and they might miss out on the best bottle of champagne. However, as first guests, we've yet to be greeted by hosts already sipping wine. Might the day come?
Professionally, I definitely noticed punctuality norms change somewhere around the new century. "Le quart d'heure tourangeau" or, later, "le quart d'heure aveyronnais" used to be widely tolerated for work meetings, but by the time I left my job at the Chamber of Commerce, meetings were starting right on time and we were definitely expected to be there.
Being over doing - imagine! As I was reading the first part, I thought, ‘we must be twins!’ because I feel the same way about promptness (here in the States, I’ll sit in my car, a half hour early because I anticipated traffic and road construction).
But the ability to pivot in these situations is a gift, and what a joy it is to linger, to amble, to wait patiently! I’ve experienced all of that, but only in Europe.
I should adopt that verb flâner into my consciousness. 🇫🇷
We are still adjusting to the time thing. Fortunately being rural the businesses are pretty prompt about openings because they serve the workers at lunch and they only have 2 hours (!) so better be on time. I read that in Sweden punctuality is so important that everyone arrives early and waits in their vehicles (in the cold likely) so they can arrive at the door exactly on time. Now THAT is anxiety.
Ha ha ha, this. I joined an orchestra here and was perpetually early to rehearsal because I wanted to give enough time for tram mishaps on the way. As a result I was put on the ‘set-up’ team and now am expected to show up early. As for the rest of the group, the violins appear as if we are performing Haydn’s Farewell Symphony in reverse and by fifteen minutes after we’ve started the rehearsal, they are mostly all there. It used to stress me out, but nobody else seems to care, so 🤷🏼♀️
Ha! They finally got someone to set up! The last time I ignored my instincts to give enough time for mishaps, the metro line I needed to take to an appointment with a neurologist stopped running. I had to run across town and arrived sweating and out of breath.
My email signature - If I don’t respond immediately, it’s because I'm on Provence time.
I do however, want a glass in my hand when I come through the door. The good thing about living in Aix it that there are many French people who have lived elsewhere and offer you a cocktail on arrival.
I thought about not 'liking" this so soon after you posted this, not wanting to appear too eager to let you know how much I love your writings, but what the heck. I love your articles, and Don's too!
Thanks Jolyn! That means a lot to me.
Hello Theresa. Such a fun but true portrayal of the time management protocol in France and how it differs from that on the East coast of the US particularly in Philadelphia. As someone who lived in PHL and has enjoyed many extended stays in various parts of France, the differences are striking at first but become fun to embrace. I have a Brother in Law who has had some business dealings with French companies and he just doesn’t understand how they are closed for the month of August or extended holidays. I’ve given up trying to explain the cultural differences. I am grateful that I have experienced these differences.
All best to you. Joseph D.
I love how much the city empties out in August! I can get behind the French vacations.
Hi Theresa. I remember as a kid growing up in south Philadelphia tailor shops and clothing factories were everywhere. Unique to that industry was that tailors would be off during the first two weeks of July. The Jersey Shore was full of tailors staying in boarding houses and small motels. Longshoremen would be off in June and august. Ah if we could only return to those simpler times. Sll best….Joseph D retired in Cape May.
Wow! I didn't know about the tailors and longshoreman. I love info like that.
Thx. How are you dealing with the heat? I stayed in the Vienne and Paris last June/July when the heat was sweltering. I had to cover myself with damp towels in order to get some sleep. This year I spent about 2 weeks in a Gite outside of Antigny and between Saint Savin and Chauvigny. Way too rural for me. Did get back to Paris for 4 nights before heading home.
Spending time these days watching the Phillies who are kicking some butts. All best…Joe.
A few years ago we bought a portable AC that works pretty well. Except for this last week we haven’t used it often. Under normal conditions we do well using the shutters to manage heat and cooling.
I too am always early-waiting around nearby till it's time. It's always better to be early than to be late.
Ooh Theresa. This would drive me bananas. I am always at least 15 minutes early to appointments, sometimes more. I cracked up about you having to hide, I have done that!
15 minutes early is correct!
This is great!
My ancestors were primarily half Teutonic and half Irish. So I grant myself the privilege of arriving either on time (Teutonic) or late (Irish), but never early.
It also means that I can leave whenever I want without warning or notice - known as both the "Irish goodbye" and "taking French leave."
So I'm covered on most social fronts. When we lived in Germany, it was customary for those arriving for a social occasion to sit outside in their cars in the street or parking lot and wait until the exact minute of the invitation before strolling up to ring the doorbell. Being late was acceptable if you explained that you were of Irish or southern European upbringing. But arriving early - unacceptable.
I would note that during the years we lived in southern Italy, it was perfectly acceptable to show up for a social engagement as late as you like. If you were invited for dinner at 21H00, for example, no one blinked an eye if you came at, say, 22H00. In fact, you may have been among the first to arrive.
The only time it is essential to keep time, according to MIles Davis, is when you're making music.
Lol, and then there are the people to whom I’ve given different times for arrival. Example: friend in law school consistently 45 minutes to an hour late to dinner parties. I started simply giving an arrival time of an hour before the actual time. 😂
Smart!
Haha I'm the same, it's somehow ingrained in my that on time = late
I'm like you, so France's flexible timing used to drive me crazy. I don't know if it's age, but something has changed lately within our different circles of friends, almost all "real French peopl". Nearly everyone has started arriving for lunch and dinner parties right on time, and if people are more than 15 minutes or so late, tant pis, apéro starts without them and they might miss out on the best bottle of champagne. However, as first guests, we've yet to be greeted by hosts already sipping wine. Might the day come?
Professionally, I definitely noticed punctuality norms change somewhere around the new century. "Le quart d'heure tourangeau" or, later, "le quart d'heure aveyronnais" used to be widely tolerated for work meetings, but by the time I left my job at the Chamber of Commerce, meetings were starting right on time and we were definitely expected to be there.
I always enjoy your articles!
Maybe as we age we become more conscious of time and want to spend more of it with people we care about?
Or maybe, conscious of how time is passing, we just want to get straight to that apéro!
Upon reflection, I believe this is the correct answer!
Being over doing - imagine! As I was reading the first part, I thought, ‘we must be twins!’ because I feel the same way about promptness (here in the States, I’ll sit in my car, a half hour early because I anticipated traffic and road construction).
But the ability to pivot in these situations is a gift, and what a joy it is to linger, to amble, to wait patiently! I’ve experienced all of that, but only in Europe.
I should adopt that verb flâner into my consciousness. 🇫🇷
Pivot!!!
We are still adjusting to the time thing. Fortunately being rural the businesses are pretty prompt about openings because they serve the workers at lunch and they only have 2 hours (!) so better be on time. I read that in Sweden punctuality is so important that everyone arrives early and waits in their vehicles (in the cold likely) so they can arrive at the door exactly on time. Now THAT is anxiety.
I might for more at home in Sweden! (Well, except for Swedish language part.)
Ha ha ha, this. I joined an orchestra here and was perpetually early to rehearsal because I wanted to give enough time for tram mishaps on the way. As a result I was put on the ‘set-up’ team and now am expected to show up early. As for the rest of the group, the violins appear as if we are performing Haydn’s Farewell Symphony in reverse and by fifteen minutes after we’ve started the rehearsal, they are mostly all there. It used to stress me out, but nobody else seems to care, so 🤷🏼♀️
Ha! They finally got someone to set up! The last time I ignored my instincts to give enough time for mishaps, the metro line I needed to take to an appointment with a neurologist stopped running. I had to run across town and arrived sweating and out of breath.
I would not survive there. I am always early. I consider arriving on time late.
I’m from NYC, but I am always late. I might finally find my home in France even if I also arrive there late in life.
Looks like I'm one of many commenters who are pathologically prompt or early - I hope you feel seen.
I do!
My email signature - If I don’t respond immediately, it’s because I'm on Provence time.
I do however, want a glass in my hand when I come through the door. The good thing about living in Aix it that there are many French people who have lived elsewhere and offer you a cocktail on arrival.
My people!