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Thursday, 21 June 2007 |
has lived all over France for
18 years, now in Brittany,
married to a Breton. She has
three children and works as a
translator and teacher.
“I speak almost perfect
French by now and have some
French friends. Conversation
with French people is usually
about food, and often about
cultural differences. They have
a much more abstract way of
thinking. It is hard to get them
out of the stratosphere, they are
always philosophising. There is
lots of navel gazing. I try to put
in an outsider’s point of view,
tell them how lucky they are,
compared to lots of other
nations they are doing well.
“I try to keep the best of
both worlds. I love the quality
of life in France, but miss the
Irish mentality which is more
laid-back.
“The best advice I can give
is to learn the language.
Classes are important but it is
also important that people
don’t isolate themselves.
“I’ve got kids who are
bilingual, it was amazing how
quickly the French took over
when they went to school.
“French men are more
romantic, but Irish men have
changed a lot: they are more
willing to express themselves.”
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