Russa lives in Paris and talks honestly about the city (her French husband also comments)

Hi! I am Anastasia Sokolova-Bualle, known as “the most curious historian” and “Anastasia know-it-all”. I am 30 years old, I live in Paris, but I often visit my hometown Moscow. I graduated from the History course at Moscow State University, and my research topic led me to an internship in Spain. Then I went to France, where I created an education project dedicated to the history and culture of that country.

I will show the readers of awesome.club that history is very interesting. And that Paris is not only an eternal party, but also a very curious city.

I have been a member of the Association for the Protection of Historic Paris for over a year, and I work as a volunteer in a house-museum where you can find some of the most incredible Gothic halls from the time of the construction of Notre-Dame, an oak vault from the Renaissance, a large library and a bookstore.

In France this type of volunteer work is common. No less than 22 million French people donate money every year to projects from various associations. My husband, for example, is a member of the Board Game Creators Association, and my in-laws help support the Family Home at the hospital.

No matter where I am, between 12:00 and 14:00 I always start to get hungry. The French habit of eating at midday is now my custom too.

Other common habits in France:

Always greet people and wish them a good day. Wear scarves all the time. When I go out without this accessory, I feel like I forgot something important. Write and communicate in a more formal way (the French look for a delicate way of speaking even when they want to say not very pleasant things). Drinking wine, talking about it and distinguishing its types. Save money (at first I thought the French were stingy, but then I realized that they have no other choice, because of local taxes and the cost of living). Cycling regularly, although I still don’t know how to pedal and stay elegant at the same time, like the French. Chatting and joking (the French people’s need to always be in someone’s company and to enjoy life taught me to be more playful and to face things with more humor).

The motto of Paris, “Fluctuat nec mergitur” (“It is shaken by the waves, but does not sink”) originated in the 16th century, in a corporation of river merchants. Today, only pleasure boats sail along the Seine, but in the 19th century, up to 67,000 ships passed that river a year. 🇧🇷

The Seine has always been busy. Its course calmed down only in the 19th century, with the construction of canals between Paris and Rouen. The elegant Marais district is a great example of this transformation through human labor, because “Marais” means “swamp”.

This dirty river, delicately speaking, was officially closed for bathing only in 1923. Today, the City of Paris has set itself an ambitious goal: to make the river clean for open water competitions in the 2024 Olympics. In fact, salmon and swans have already returned to the Seine .

In French universities and technical schools, people study at the expense of the government. Students only pay 200 to 300 euros per course. In private universities the cost reaches 16 thousand euros per year, but after graduation it is easier to find a job with a good salary, thanks to the partnership programs and their connections.

There are no dorms as we know them. There are student residences with cheap studio apartments, but generally they don’t have many spaces.

Exams are written, and take place throughout the year. The studies last until March-June. But the student status is maintained for several months, so that the student can do an internship, a necessary requirement to receive the diploma.

The French don’t think of breakfast as a full meal. I have the feeling that they sit down at the table just to peck at the bread and butter and jam. On the weekend, they are more comfortable, with a croissant from the bakery around the corner.

The biggest problem in Paris is the eternal humidity. That’s why your thermal sensation will always be about 5 degrees below the temperature that thermometers mark in winter.

Coat or overcoat? What can you use to not feel cold? How to protect yourself from the wind? Put on very warm clothes and don’t forget your gloves too. Remember that in Paris not all establishments have coat racks, so in many places you’ll have to leave your coat on the back of a chair or over your knees.

In the French capital I never felt cold on my feet. Put on what is most comfortable for you, it could be sneakers or shoes. But elegant Parisian scarves and gloves are an absolute must.

I remember when I first moved I was surprised how quickly people in France started calling each other “you”. This didn’t go with the classy snobs I imagined. Also, if you start calling someone “sir” in a group of French people, they will correct you. They say that calling “sir” imposes a certain distance, and for relationships this can be bad.

In many bistros, waiters call customers “you”. This isn’t a sign of bad manners, but it also doesn’t mean you’re already friends with the waiter. Even the oldest ask to be called “you”: “Anastasia, why do you call me sir? Am I that old?”

At the end of May the Louvre was closed because of a strike. The union claimed that “the museum is too crowded and workers are complaining that working conditions have deteriorated too much”. Tourists who didn’t get to see the Mona Lisa were heartbroken. They traveled thousands of miles to arrive to find that the museum was closed.

This is a paradox: while all the museums in the world want to increase the flow, the employees of the Louvre go on strike, complaining that there is too much movement. Last year the place received about 10 million people.

For example, in Bordeaux it is forbidden to take pictures. And no one can be buried in Paris if he has not lived in the city.

A 2 m² space in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery costs €6,000 for 50 years, and around €15,800 forever. The most important thing is that the family of the deceased takes care of the grave. Otherwise, the abandoned graves are demolished, the bones are sent to some storage place and the site is sold.

The movement of semi-vegetarians (also called flexitarians) is becoming fashionable in the country. Its appeals match French philosophy, which places common sense above all else. Why be extreme and complicated when you can be more restrained in your spending habits?

In contrast to the diet of vegans and vegetarians, semi-vegetarians do not reject animal products, but advocate their moderate and quality consumption.

In the Provence region of southeastern France, there is more space. There, those who are used to the crowds of Paris wonder: where is everyone? In fact, Paris is the most densely populated city in Europe. So don’t be surprised if people stand very close to you at the local bistros.

People in Provence are always considerate of others. In the pharmacy they will explain for half an hour how to take some medicine, even if this is already written in the prescription. You go to a restaurant and they open the doors for you. In Paris, compared to Provence, everyone is on the run or nervous. Incidentally, a phrase beloved by Parisians, who often say it with a snobbish intonation while sipping a €6 cup of coffee looking at Notre-Dame is: “Et ça m’énerve” (“It makes me nervous”).

In this country, following the orders of your superiors at work is not enough. You must also be sociable with co-workers, otherwise they will harm you.

With the French it is necessary to be “in tune”. Never start doing something right away. They will think you are direct and rude. Ask: “Comment allez-vous?” (“How are you?”), make a joke, ask how things are going. This will help you get closer to the other person.

You also have to get used to the fact that in the morning at work there is always a wave of kisses. You still haven’t managed to drink coffee and you already have to kiss like 50 people. Didn’t kiss, offended. It’s better to devote half an hour of your working day to kisses, and life will be more fun.

You are a Parisian at heart if:

Under no circumstances will you refuse a cup of coffee. He is capable of living in the microcosm of his neighborhood and not even looking at the opposite side of the avenue (does anyone else live there?). You understand that 15 square meters is a lot, but a 7 square meter flat is another matter. Can move in a crowd and know a thousand types of intonations of the word “sorry”. He doesn’t usually go to IKEA, he prefers a thrift store: it’s very common for them to buy a sofa, but finding one that was abandoned is priceless. You can easily park a Hummer (SUV vehicle) in a space that fits a Smart (compact car), although you probably already bought a scooter.

“Are Parisian men and women the most elegant people in the world?”
Not. For them, practicality is above any fashion. And you’ll prove them right after walking miles of cobbled streets in Paris.

“Parisians don’t like country people?”
Not. Native Parisians there are few. The city is empty at Christmas, because everyone goes to relatives in the interior of the country.

“Are Parisians snobbish and arrogant?”
Not. In fact, Parisians are stressed, because of the tiny apartments, the high prices and the crowds of people.

— Parisians always spend a lot of time in restaurants. Do they spend some time at home?
Stay. They would love to invite their friends over, but have you ever stayed in a Paris apartment? A shower, a kitchen and a bed crammed into 9 square meters. That is, you are practically obliged to go to a restaurant.