 |
| Turkey, in charge of grocery bag (and cart) inspection |
The French tend to take a different approach toward time, in that there’s plenty of it. If you should run out of time today, don’t worry, there will be more tomorrow.
You’ll hear words like ‘sleepy’ and ‘time stood still’ when used to describe villages and towns all across France. Things just seem to slow down, and all that stress you’ve been carrying around in your neck and shoulders magically starts to disappear.
Having done my best to accept this French way of viewing time, my life has seemed more pleasurable. It takes some getting used to though. And like all aspects of French life, even a trip to the grocery store can take a bit of understanding…and a bit more time.
Where are the bag boys, I whispered in my husband's ear as I stood in line for the first time at our local supermarket. There are none, my husband said. We are the bag boys. You're kidding. Well let me just say that you will be in that line for about as long as it took you to shop for your groceries because we just can’t bag it up like a bag boy can. Not only are some people just slowww at bagging up their groceries, but I’ve never seen it take so long to process a written check or debit card. You will age while waiting in line.
Here’s something that’s great though - something I wish was practiced by everyone in the US – the use of reusable grocery bags. (Thumbs up to my Dad who's been doing this for years!) France has been known to be ‘the greenest country’ and this is probably one of the reasons why. French people do their groceries with huge, reusable bags. The cashier will not hand you a bunch of plastic bags for your groceries. You can buy flimsy plastic bags from her if you wish, but hardly anyone does. And believe me, they don't hold much. I see now a real reason for a huge purse! Should the wife pop in to the grocery store and not have one of her reusable grocery bags with her, she won’t buy a bag, she’ll just open up the purse and start filling it up! Note to self: buy a huge purse. Otherwise, tout le monde brings big, ultra-sturdy reusable bags. In one year I’ve collected many. Some are multi-colored (see picture) and are so fabulous that they even get compliments. The amount of groceries that one can place/squeeze/cram into one of these bags is unreal.
I even have a waterproof cart on wheels for the heavier items (see picture up top) or to use if it’s raining. Thinking back on how many non-recyclable, barely-reusable plastic grocery bags that I’ve thrown away in my adult life is just daunting.
So, if you’re planning a trip to France, get ready to slow the pace down...allow more time for the simple things in life, and if you’re stopping to pick up a few things at the grocery store, spend the 50-80 centimes on an earth-friendly reusable bag, and remember: you are your own bag boy. Even if you're staying at a hotel, won't be cooking, and will be eating out, I strongly suggest wandering the aisles of a French grocery store. You'll discover lots of great things, some that you can enjoy right away and maybe some that you can smuggle back home! And while you're there, why not buy extra reusable bags, lay them flat in your luggage, and use them back home? And since many bags are funky and display words in French, they make a more interesting and practical souvenir rather than a key chain for your family and friends.
You’ll hear words like ‘sleepy’ and ‘time stood still’ when used to describe villages and towns all across France. Things just seem to slow down, and all that stress you’ve been carrying around in your neck and shoulders magically starts to disappear.
Having done my best to accept this French way of viewing time, my life has seemed more pleasurable. It takes some getting used to though. And like all aspects of French life, even a trip to the grocery store can take a bit of understanding…and a bit more time.
Here’s something that’s great though - something I wish was practiced by everyone in the US – the use of reusable grocery bags. (Thumbs up to my Dad who's been doing this for years!) France has been known to be ‘the greenest country’ and this is probably one of the reasons why. French people do their groceries with huge, reusable bags. The cashier will not hand you a bunch of plastic bags for your groceries. You can buy flimsy plastic bags from her if you wish, but hardly anyone does. And believe me, they don't hold much. I see now a real reason for a huge purse! Should the wife pop in to the grocery store and not have one of her reusable grocery bags with her, she won’t buy a bag, she’ll just open up the purse and start filling it up! Note to self: buy a huge purse. Otherwise, tout le monde brings big, ultra-sturdy reusable bags. In one year I’ve collected many. Some are multi-colored (see picture) and are so fabulous that they even get compliments. The amount of groceries that one can place/squeeze/cram into one of these bags is unreal.I even have a waterproof cart on wheels for the heavier items (see picture up top) or to use if it’s raining. Thinking back on how many non-recyclable, barely-reusable plastic grocery bags that I’ve thrown away in my adult life is just daunting.
So, if you’re planning a trip to France, get ready to slow the pace down...allow more time for the simple things in life, and if you’re stopping to pick up a few things at the grocery store, spend the 50-80 centimes on an earth-friendly reusable bag, and remember: you are your own bag boy. Even if you're staying at a hotel, won't be cooking, and will be eating out, I strongly suggest wandering the aisles of a French grocery store. You'll discover lots of great things, some that you can enjoy right away and maybe some that you can smuggle back home! And while you're there, why not buy extra reusable bags, lay them flat in your luggage, and use them back home? And since many bags are funky and display words in French, they make a more interesting and practical souvenir rather than a key chain for your family and friends.
