Being American, or even North American there are plenty of things that are taken for granted. One is customer service. When traveling anywhere in North America, and usually abroad, the idea of customer service, or the idea that someone will be more than happy to help a paying customer seems innate. However, that is not the case in France.

My current trip to France, as well as previous trips to France has revealed something to me, something of, what I feel, is the fundamental difference between the French and Anglo-Saxon societies (ie: Canada, US, England and Australia): we are customer oriented, they are employee oriented. I sincerely believe this is the root of all divisions from our two systems or ways of life.

Perfect example: at Darty (an electronics store in the center of town) I had to wait 30 minutes before someone came to help me. The one sales associate was busy, but none of the other sales associates could be bothered to even attempt to help me, because I wasn’t in “their department” or if I was in their department, they didn’t even bother. It was ONE woman, to this particular department. Granted, I have lived outside of the US for about two months now, but I don’t things have changed too drastically. Typically, sales people don’t stop bugging you! Especially in electronics stores! Or another example, at super markets. THEY SIT DOWN! They have CHAIRS! Where all they do is scan and take your money. They don’t help you bag, at all. They don’t even give you bags. As an effort to stay green, they make you purchase reusable bags for 10 cents, which I totally agree with, but at least at other super markets states-side, they HELP YOU BAG. Not because they want to be super nice to you, but because there is a line that they want to get through.

Not in France! A super market is more concerned with making sure the employee is comfortable and not over extended rather than the 10 person long line of customers. So just a little forewarning if you ever venture to France: be polite, and above all, be patient.