The Good, the Bad, and the French

Mimi & Suzy
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

Two American friends discuss cultural differences between the United States and France. 

  1. 11/09/2025

    How to Party Like It's Mille Neuf Cent Quatre-Vingt-Dix-Neuf

    Send us a text In episode 15, Mimi and Suzy break down the anatomy of a French party—from the germ-spreading ritual of la bise to the predictable flow of punch, wine, and classic apéro snacks. They compare regional quirks like Brittany’s surprising “party soup,” try to find out exactly what parts of the pig are in andouille sausage, and run through the typical late dinner, bad music rotation, chain-smoking corners, and obligatory nostalgia stories. Alongside tales of crashed parties, tame “sex-toy” themes, and cover bands killing the vibe, they also touch on Picard culture, Halloween’s slow rise in France, and the near-guarantee of getting sick after any gathering. The episode ends with a question to listeners: would a French party be your cup of soup? Keywords French parties, la bise, germs, fist bump, apéro snacks, crunchy peanuts, saucisson, andouille, party soup, Brittany, late dinners, bad music, Gypsy Kings, ’80s hits, Beyoncé, chain smoking, nostalgia, blind quiz, pétanque, photo slideshows, Picard, Halloween in France, party culture, metro germs. Chapters 00:00 – Sick Season & The Curse of La Bise 02:00 – Party Rules: Punch, Wine, and Apéro Snacks 06:30 – Andouille Debate: What Actually Is it? 09:30 – Brittany’s Surprise: The Mystery Party Soup 12:00 – Late Dinners, Bad Playlists & Beyoncé Rescues 15:00 – Chain Smoking & Childhood Nostalgia Hour 18:00 – Party Animations: Blind Quizzes, Slideshows, Pétanque 21:00 – Crashing the Cardboard-Box Birthday 24:30 – The Tame “Sex Toy” Party 28:00 – Picard, Costumes & Halloween in France 33:00 – Live Music Hijacks: The Host’s Cover Band 37:00 – Is Getting Sick Worth It? 38:30 – Would You Enjoy a French Party?

    39 min

  2. 09/22/2025

    The French Supermarket

    Send us a text In episode 14, Mimi and Suzy dive into the French world of supermarkets—from neighborhood Monoprix and walkable Super U to mega-sized Leclerc, produce paradise Grand Frais, and frozen-only cult favorite Picard. They compare U.S. variety with France’s strict seasonality and origin labeling, swap horror stories about the mustard and butter shortages, and get practical about scoring a good €6–€8 bottle. Picard gets a full love letter, and the episode wraps with souvenir do’s and don’ts. Keywords French supermarkets, Monoprix, Super U, Leclerc, Grand Frais, Picard, frozen food, produce seasonality, origin labeling, mustard shortage, butter shortage, Amora, Maille, cornichons, wine tips, wine medals, champagne, customs limits, how to ship butter internationally, butter, honey, local producers, groceries.  Chapters  00:00 – Supermarket Stories  02:00 – Monoprix, Super U & Leclerc Compared  05:00 – Suzy's Ode to Picard  10:00 – Mustard and Butter Shortages  14:00 – Wine Aisles and Missing Imports  20:00 – Seasonal Produce & Label Laws  25:00 – The Honey Monopoly Exposed  27:00 – Best Souvenirs to Bring Back

    38 min

  3. 09/09/2025

    Dating Frenchmen 101

    Send us a text In episode 13, Mimi and Suzy explore what it’s really like to date French men, from first dates and slow-to-arrive kisses to relationships that seem to form without discussion. They unpack the cultural differences around exclusivity, commitment, and the lack of a “define the relationship” talk, while also diving into the phenomenon of love bombing and how to recognize red and green flags early on. With Mimi’s perspective as someone married to a Frenchman and Suzy’s experience dating in France today, they compare etiquette around splitting the bill, expectations of romance, and why French men may be stylish and expressive but less inclined toward machismo. The discussion also looks at dating apps, presentation and grooming, and the subtle cultural cues that shape relationships across borders.  Keywords Dating in France, French men, French dating culture, love bombing, monogamy, commitment, first-date etiquette, splitting the bill, intercultural relationships, French kissing, dating apps in France (Hinge, Fruitz, Bumble, OkCupid, AdopteUnMec, Tinder), cultural differences, red flags, green flags, communication styles, expat life in France, French masculinity, French fashion, relationship dynamics, dating abroad.  Chapters 00:01 — La Rentrée Stress  01:08 — Dating French Men  07:12 — Exclusivity and Commitment  09:06 — Love Bombing and Red Flags  19:41 — Machismo, Romance, and Style  28:24 — Dating Apps in France  35:00 — First-Date Etiquette  40:36 — Final Thoughts

    40 min

  4. 08/20/2025

    Learning French Part 2: How It's Going

    Send us a text In episode 12, Mimi and Suzy explore the reality of speaking French with the French—from cafés and comedy clubs to parties that last until dawn. They share stories of microaggressions, waiters switching to English, the cultural “art of sparring,” and how accents shape perception in France. With Mimi’s immersion-through-slang approach and Suzy’s years of formal study, they compare very different learning experiences and reveal what it actually takes to feel confident in French. Along the way, they recount comic misunderstandings, frustrating encounters with French administration, and joyful milestones that prove persistence pays off.  Keywords Speaking French, French language, French culture, living in France, accents in France, French slang, French administration, microaggressions, cultural sparring, Parisian culture, bilingual life, learning French abroad, foreigners in France, French identity, expat life in France, French waiters, French integration, French comedy, cultural adaptation, French fluency, French pronunciation.  Chapters  00:00 – Introduction & Listener Shoutout  01:30 – From Learning French to Speaking with the French  03:00 – Parisian Sparring, Microaggressions & Administration Culture  06:20 – Mimi’s Slang Beginnings vs. Suzy’s Formal Study  09:30 – Accents, Perceptions & Cultural Bias  11:00 – Comedy Clubs, Roasting & Regional Speech  15:30 – Pronunciation Struggles & Being Understood  19:20 – Identity, Bias & The “Where Are You From?” Question  21:30 – Waiters Switching to English & Language Pet Peeves  27:00 – Milestones, Parties & Professional Confidence  42:45 – Practical Tips for Visitors & Final Reflections

    49 min

  5. 08/07/2025

    Learning French Part 1: How It Started

    Send us a text In episode 11, the first of a two-part series, Mimi and Suzy share their personal journeys learning French both before and after moving to France. They reflect on the challenges of grammar, pronunciation, and cultural expectations, as well as the emotional and practical realities of trying to become fluent in a language that often feels endless. With two very different learning paths—one self-taught through immersion, the other shaped by years of formal study—they discuss what helped, what didn’t, and why learning French is about more than just vocabulary and verbs. Keywords Learning French, French language, living in France, French grammar, language learning, subjunctive, French pronunciation, identity, classism, Duolingo, French culture, French integration, moving to France, bilingualism, French language trauma, French language tips, Beauty and the Beast, foreigners in France, multilingual life, French vocabulary, French fluency, cultural adaptation.  Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Listener Shoutout 01:30 – Why We’re Talking About Learning French 02:30 – Language Test Stress 04:00 – Is French Hard to Learn? 05:20 – The Subjunctive Struggle 06:45 – Mimi's Self-Taught Journey 13:00 – Suzy’s Structured Language Path 19:30 – Time, Fluency, and Frustration 22:30 – Language, Identity, and Confidence 26:00 – La Dictée 30:00 – Grammar and Class in France 36:00 – The Culture of Eloquence 40:30 – Tools That Actually Helped 47:00 – What to Avoid When Learning French 51:30 – Looking Ahead to Part Two

    49 min

  6. 07/27/2025

    PACA Suitcase: Provence and the French Riviera

    Send us a text In episode 10, Mimi and Suzy discuss the South of France, focusing on Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA), known popularly as Provence and the French Riviera. They explore its geographical scope, distinguishing between the glitzy, crowded coastal region stretching from Monaco to Marseille and the quieter, nature-rich inland areas like lavender country and the Verdon National Park. They contrast the crowded beaches, flashy tourism, traffic, and commercialized vibe of the Riviera with the rustic charm, authentic villages, and beautiful nature of inland PACA. The episode also touches on local culture, culinary highlights, wildfires, and the diversity of Marseille, discussing both its appeal and controversial reputation. Keywords South of France, Provence, Côte d'Azur, PACA, Marseille, Monaco, Riviera, lavender fields, wine, lakes, tourism, Mediterranean, French culture, beaches, wildfires, hiking, authenticity, climate change, culinary experiences, diversity, racism, tourism impact. Chapters:  Introduction (00:01) Defining the South of France (00:52)  French Riviera vs. Inland Provence (04:38) Monaco & the Coastline (05:38) Nature Highlights: Calanques and Lakes (08:45) Lavender Country Experiences (10:01) Crowded Beaches & Traffic (15:28) Marseille's Unique Vibe (17:18) Cultural Observations & Local Life (23:15) Wildfires & Climate Challenges (49:57) Final Impressions & Recommendations (55:48)

    59 min

  7. 07/01/2025

    Temps Up: How to Survive a Heat Wave in France

    Send us a text In episode 9, Mimi and Suzy dive deep into the cultural, emotional, and physical toll of French summers without air conditioning. From Mimi’s Texas childhood horse shows and heat strokes to Suzy’s swampy memories of New York and Atlanta, the two explore why France remains stubbornly anti-AC despite rising temperatures and alarming death tolls. They bust myths about AC, debate solutions, and weave in humor, not-so-fun facts, and even a touch of climate anxiety and fairy porn.  Keywords  Heatwaves, France, air conditioning, AC resistance, climate anxiety, heat stroke, French culture, portable AC, heat death, myths, environmental impact, thermoregulation, Ministry for the Future, romantic fantasy, eczema, wine culture, fan death, temperature regulation.  Chapters 00:00 – Heatstroke & Horse Shows  03:00 – AC Culture Shock: France vs. USA  06:00 – Fashion, Heat & French Summers  09:00 – The AC Desert of French Homes  14:00 – Portable Units: The Ugly Truth  21:00 – Deadly Heat: The Numbers Don’t Lie  24:00 – The French Aversion to Water  26:00 – The Ignorance Around Heat  28:00 – Mythbusters: AC Edition  35:00 – Future Tech: Hope or Mirage?  38:00 – PTSD from 2022  41:00 – Aging, Menopause & Climate Doom  44:00 – The Little Joys of Summer  49:00 – Reddit Bunkers & AC Shame  55:00 – Romantasy & Mental Escapes  57:00 – The Final Plea

    56 min

  8. 06/08/2025

    C'est Cheese!

    Send us a text In episode 8 of The Good, The Bad, and The French, Mimi and Suzy dive into the delightful world of cheese, exploring its cultural significance in France. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences with cheese, discuss the health perspectives surrounding high-fat diets, and highlight the regional varieties of cheese found across France. They discuss the intricacies of cheese making, the etiquette surrounding cheese consumption, and the challenges of dietary restrictions in a cheese-loving country. The conversation also touches on the yogurt culture in France and the rules of cutting cheese, all while maintaining a light-hearted and humorous tone. Keywords cheese, dieting, health, France, butter, nutrition, food culture, obesity, regional cheese, cheese making, cultural differences, yogurt, food etiquette, farm life, cheese preferences, culinary experiences, French cuisine, charcuterie, raclette, cheese boards, cultural differences, cheese preferences, cheese pairing, melted cheese, French cheese, cheese experiences, cheese, fromage blanc, aged cheese, French cuisine, cheese preferences, Alps, butter, cultural context, cheese consumption, regional delicacies Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:04 Exploring the World of Cheese 02:14 Dieting and Cheese Consumption 08:02 Health Perspectives on Cheese 09:12 Obesity and Cheese Consumption in France 11:03 Regional Cheese Varieties in France 15:29 Cheese Preferences and Grocery Adventures 17:12 Life on the Farm: Cheese Making Experience 19:32 Cultural Cheese Consumption in France 25:02 Yogurt Culture in France 26:40 Cheese Etiquette and Cutting Rules 31:00 Cultural Differences in Cheese Consumption 33:57 The Art of Charcuterie and Cheese Boards 36:57 Raclette: A Communal Cheese Experience 39:58 Favorite Cheeses and Ideal Cheese Boards 44:56 The Importance of Sweetness in Cheese Pairing 46:04 Personal Cheese Preferences and Experiences 49:47 Exploring Fromage Blanc and Fresh Cheeses 52:03 The Love for Aged Cheeses 54:05 Cheese Preferences and Cultural Contexts 55:56 The Holy Trinity of French Cuisine 58:08 Regional Delicacies: Cheese in the Alps 61:38 Reflections on Cheese Consumption

    1h 5m
See All (15)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Two American friends discuss cultural differences between the United States and France. 

Information