(American Lifestyle)

 (French Lifestyle)

Books Concerning the "mystique" of French Women:

First , I would like to emphasize that this Post is targeted specifically to American women in France, and those looking to live in France. 

Not long ago, I was having lunch with some American women who happened to be married to or living with French men.  They were exploring the reasons for the difficulties in developing friendships with French women. 

The reasons explored ranged from “they tend to make their friends in elementary school» or “they are so busy with their raising their families and cooking gourmet meals for their men, or “they are not as liberated as American women…they close their eyes to their men’s affairs” to “I am so intimidated by those stylish French women and their chic , black ensembles.” 

It made me reflect on the numerous books on the allure of French women published by Anglophones.  After indulging in a conversation and theories that went no where, we changed the subject, finished lunch after which I returned home to the comfy familiarity of my American husband. 

Later that day, I looked up books on Amazon.fr  to see whether  French women extolled the  feistiness,  progressive, liberated openness… or anything else…about the American woman.  I found nothing! 

Absolutely nothing.  (Perhaps some of you out there might be able to name a few for me). 

Further research revealed that there appeared to be no reciprocal interest between French and American women, regarding anything! Over the years I’ve meet French women who expressed in subtle and diplomatic ways a curiosity of what the attraction American women had for their lifestyles…French cuisine and social politesse, notwithstanding…  and their men, in particular.  It seemed to them that we, American women, had access to more wealth, comforts and gorgeous men of such diversity that it was globally enviable.   

I kid you not! 

Although, I can personally understand the unpredictable power of love and the unpredictability of where you might unearth a lover or mate in this big wide world, I can also understand the ominous consequences of choosing a life partner from a tribe whose women are an unknown entity to a newcomer. 

After all, women compose about half of everyone's population.

On impact, I might look like a poacher, myself.  However, my girly- girl posse prior to marriage and for most of my life consisted of members of the tribe among whom I eventually found my mate.  It was inevitable that I would end up marrying one of their brothers, cousins or uncles!  I had been acculturated by the population of that particular tribe already.

My advice: Think twice before poaching!