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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, monogramy, 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

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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

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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