Sense of humour, gloss and thrift: the whole truth about French men

I think the secret of the special attractiveness of French men lies in their emotionality: they openly show feelings and seem sociable, easy-going. Our men are limited from birth: “Why are you crying like a girl?”, “You are a guy! Be patient! In France, the expression of emotions is not determined by gender – it does not matter if you are a man or a woman.

Back in 2009, I met the irresistible Lionel in a Moscow club. On a date, he noted my manicure, hairstyle, and kept asking about the expression in my eyes: “Anastasia, why are you sad? Let’s have some hot chocolate!” When he told stories from his childhood, his eyes watered. He laughed like a child and danced beautifully. Although the relationship did not work out, I remember his emotionality. And I noticed that French men adore caresses, they are happy to hold hands.

Personal care

In Paris, the culture of self-care is manifested to a greater extent than in the provinces, because the capital meets by clothes. And it’s not about fashion. If a man takes care of himself, this does not mean that he dresses in luxury – he simply bathes every day and uses hygiene products.

Sense of humor

I will also attribute humor to the strengths of the French, because in a country where, without the ability to joke well, you can neither advance at work nor win trust in society, it cannot be otherwise. Local guys love to tease each other and enjoy it.

It happens that we, immigrants from Eastern Europe and the former USSR, are offended by such jokes. It’s useless! It is better to train the response. This is a test of your endurance: can you immediately understand what the interlocutor’s temperament is and adequately answer him?

The art of communication

The ability to keep up a conversation in France has been elevated to an art. What is this skill? In the ability to listen well and actively, ask leading questions and be sensitive to the desires of the interlocutor. The French in general try to be interesting people: they like to talk about politics and culture, they know how to give compliments, they constantly ask how you are doing.

Attitude towards a woman

The French in women are attracted by aesthetics, thoughtfulness of the image, so they always pay attention to details. Beautiful earrings, a manicure, a new hairstyle – all this a man will notice and will definitely make a compliment. For this reason, they are so sympathetic to Russian girls: after all, we love and know how to take care of ourselves.

In a relationship, for French men, the comfort of a woman is most important. They are sensual lovers without any sexual boundaries, so all the hot stuff is at your disposal. As they say here, “the dirtier the sex, the tastier it is.”

By the way, men here do not care so much about the age of their partner – I know many examples of successful marriages of French men with mature women. Recall at least Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron.

Partner selection

In France, a woman, as a rule, is looking not for a wealthy, but for an equal partner with whom she will build a joint project. If a Frenchwoman is in search of such a person, it means that she has already decided the financial issue. She needs a reliable shoulder – a mature person who is also firmly on his feet, ready to buy a home and co-finance the family and its development. Responsibility for children, life, family is divided between partners in half.

How much attention does she get from her partner? Can he listen? Does she share her experience and emotions? What qualities does it show? It is to this, and not to the financial situation, that the Frenchwoman will pay attention in the first place. Therefore, many marriages are concluded here between people from the same social strata – with initially equal opportunities, none of the partners finds themselves in the position of a draft horse.

“Go to the Altar”

French men are often condemned for not wanting to marry, but the problem is not with them as such. Firstly, the attitude towards marriage has changed in French society, and local girls are no longer eager to run down the aisle. Secondly, a wedding requires a lot of expenses. Accustomed to rationally manage money, the French try not to take loans and not start a life together with debts.

Every couple knows that the main “weight” of the wedding will fall on her shoulders. If lovers think about exchanging rings, then the question of a marriage contract arises – if one of the partners has his own business, he will distinguish between the use and possession of financial resources. In addition, it is expensive and difficult to get a divorce here, even if the couple does not have children.

So the beginning of a life together and buying a home is a really serious step for a Frenchman. And, of course, if a man falls in love, then, as elsewhere in the world, he will do everything to be with his beloved.

Whose place is in the kitchen?

In France, there is a different culture of division of duties than we do. Women here received the right to vote in 1944, and the right to have a personal bank account and work without the consent of her husband – only in 1965. And since they became full-fledged members of society, French men have had to learn new skills.

Wash the floor, do the cleaning, wash the dishes – all these are not the most beloved, but normal family duties for both a woman and a man. In addition, the French love to cook. In a country where cuisine and food quality have become a kind of religion, it cannot be otherwise. But if there is no time or energy left for cooking, then the French will order food at home or go to a nearby restaurant for dinner. And it will be an ordinary evening, not a holiday.

So, a man will do everything so that you do not get drawn into the everyday routine, and will expect the same behavior in return. General plans, travel, important purchases, hobbies – you definitely won’t get bored with it.

French as a father

It is curious to observe the local dads. They touchingly and with great pleasure fiddling with children: hugging, kissing, squeezing, picking up. For example, my father-in-law burst into tears as he told me the first time he held his husband and his sister on his chest.

And although divorces are not uncommon here, the French try to maintain good relations with their children and not transfer the negative from the breakup to them. If the court considers the father’s financial situation more advantageous, then the child can spend most of the time with him, and not with his mother.

Stingy or rational?

Here they specifically refer to money: often even family members do not know which of them earns how much. This is due to the Catholic tradition, according to which wealth is a bad thing in itself, and therefore it is better to hide it.

For the French, the principle “the price must match the quality” is important. They won’t buy what they don’t think is worth the money – it’s not their habit to splurge. So the French will definitely not throw fur coats at their feet and send millions of roses.

The partner will gladly support you in all your endeavors, but before buying an expensive thing that you cannot afford yourself, it will take a long time to think. “I want, my love” is not enough. The Frenchman expects maturity from you.

The story of our love

When we first started dating Sebastian, I was captivated by his interest in history, philosophy, and my inner world. “What do you want?”, “Do you like it that way?” He asked these questions with enviable regularity.

When our relationship became serious, Sebastian made it clear that at first he was ready to support financially and morally, but he expected maturity and determination from me. And he is also looking for a responsive interlocutor in me who will listen and hear. You can’t get married and hide behind his back.

At the same time, he gladly gives me as much freedom as I wish: I never ask for time off, I go on business, travel with friends and meet men I know.