Culture Notes
Emma Sidoli
Supermarkets
The French are exceedingly picky about their food. Although large, cheaper chains pop up all the time, the locals prefer to buy the fresh food at their own hand-picked specialty shops.
Meals
For the french, meals are of the utmost importance. They eat wide varieties of meat and seafood with most every meal. They always eat fresh food, fresh fruit, fresh meat, fresh vegetables, etc. What we Americans might consider strange, is that they eat eggs for dinner, but rarely for breakfast, opposite of us. They reserve pastries, ice cream, and other treats for special occasions.
Special Occasion Meals
In France, special occasions are always celebrated by lavish meals with friends and family. Presents often accompany big holidays, generally for children. Birthdays and Christmases are spent with families traditionally, while easygoing holidays like new Years' dinners are spent with friends.