Day 21: Vive la différence!

Travelling abroad makes one question their assumptions about what is 'normal'. What is normal in France and Australia, while being largely the same, is littered with so many differences.  Not bad or good per se, but different.  After 3 weeks here, we thought about some of those differences today. 

The roads

Of course, the obvious thing is that we drive on different sides of the road. But that is minuscule compared to the way we drive and what we consider important or normal. In Australia, we are a very compliant, safety-conscious lot.  We have warning signs about what speed to take each corner; we have guardrails everywhere; when there is a solid line painted in the middle of the road, we tend to obey that; and we have low speed limits. In France, you actually have to take responsibility for your own actions.  There are often no guard rails next to 50-100m drops, and the curves have no advisory sign about what speed to take that corner with a sheer drop! If you get too close to the edge, you go over... so don't go too close!  That line in the middle of the road, well in France it is more of a suggestion than a rule, and the suggestion is often ignored!  Despite that, the road fatality rate in Australia and France is very, very similar.  Is all that safety consciousness in Aus actually doing anything? France is only 1 place higher than Australia in fatalities!

Cycling and cyclists

It is fair to say that Australians hate cyclists.  Monash University published a paper a few years ago that reported how cyclists are deemed by many as non-human, even to the level of cockroaches.  Aussies therefore act aggressively against them! When passing a cyclist in Australia, drivers tend to use a cyclist's chamois to buff the paint on their fenders (ie, get as close as you can) honk, yell abuse and stick out their middle finger. In France, drivers give you space, and even pull over for you to overtake them on long downhills!  When motorists overtake a cyclist in France, they go over that funny white line in the middle of the road, preferring a head-on crash around a blind corner over getting too close to a cyclist! And the cycle paths! Amazing! There are many; they are wide, well used, and picturesque! What we rode on today around Lake Annecy was a real highlight of our trip. After our ride (and a little nap) we finally got to do some real swimming in the lake.  My main thought whilst swimming (not being distracted by the fear of sharks, blue bottles, stingers, blue-ringed octopi, etc.) was, "when is the Annecy Triathlon?" (Answer: September 26-27 September 2026).

Bread: 

In Australia, bread is quite pragmatic; I know homemade sourdough is on the rise (pun intended), but outside the Inner West and those having a mid-life sourdough crisis, bread is something to make a sandwich with.  In France, it is an art form, a lifestyle, and so central. The boulangeries and patisseries are amazing.  The downside is the coffee is crap in France; sorry to my French friends, but French bread makes up for it. We did go to an Aussie-themed cafe yesterday, and the coffee was a solid 6 out of 10. (Note the map of Australia on the cookie!)

Obesity

Despite the amazing food, it is noticeable how many fewer obese people there are in France. Australia has an obesity rate of 32% while in France it is only 12%.  People here cycle, eat amazing food, and enjoy the outdoors.

Summer

French people enjoy their summer.  Perhaps it is because they have a real winter and have to enjoy the warmth when it comes, but it is noticeable how many people are still swimming in the lake, or walking, or cycling at 9pm!  It was also noticeable that in the 4 hours sitting in the gutter waiting for the Tour to come by, how few children were on devices.  They played with real toys and ate real bread while everyone enjoyed a wine and the world coming to France!! 

Smoking.

Most people, everywhere!  On the beach, in the restaurant, whilst riding a bike, whilst overtaking around a blind corner! Not only that, vaping. Really? Just when I thought we had sunk into the deepest pit of human stupidity, along came vaping to prove me wrong. And it is everywhere here. 

Flags

French people seem proud of their flag, whilst in Australia we seem to increasingly shame anyone who flies our national flag. But we are not ashamed!!

Postscript: We are (almost famous). 

After scrolling through the coverage from yesterday, we saw ourselves in the crowd. We will be on the course again tomorrow, so hopefully more fame!