Guest Post: French Influence on American Culture

I’ve known Amber since we were tiny dreamers at the age of 12 living on an island in Hawaii. Even then, she taught me how to let go of my inhibitions and never care for what others thought of me. While the years have shaped us, matured us, and helped us evolve, Amber never lost that childlike carefree quality to daily living – something about her I hope never changes. Life has taken us down paths far from one another (it’s been 2 years since I last saw Amber [pictured above is us at Union Square, San Fran the last time we got together] and over a decade since we were able to hear one another screaming from our homes as the most adorably annoying and idealized childhood neighbors), we’ve always seemed to be headed in the same direction: we both developed a passion for France, both are heavily influenced by art, started blogging at about the same time, and both still enjoy the occasional prank call. It’s an honor to have her be a part of La Belle in France and I hope you head over to Amber’s Mouthwash soon to catch a glimpse of the wonderful person I’ve come to know so well.

Bonjour readers of La Belle in France! I am so excited to write for Stephanie and her wonderful website. My name is Amber and I am a fashion blogger; the author of Amber’s Mouthwash, who also shares a love for art, art history and France. Particularly Paris. Today in my guest post I will be sharing with you the French influences on American Culture.


You’re so French! The French Influence on American Culture.

France, ever since the rise of the Bourbons, has held a pinnacle of interest for the rest of the modern world. During the time of kings, queens, dauphins, Louis XIV, and later Marie Antoinette, France came to represent the height of fashion, lifestyle, gardening and culture. The French Revolution of 1776 revolutionized and forever changed the face of Europe. Almost simultaneously, the boom of la gourmand in cuisine flourished with the Versailles chefs who after and during the revolution, had to seek jobs elsewhere.

Americans have long held a love/hate relationship with the French. However I would venture to say that here on La Belle in France, I am in good company with those who share a passion for France and it’s culture. But what of the French and their influence on Americans? You may be surprised to learn that you are more French than you know.

You search for that one “perfect” item

Going beyond our shared passion for Karl Lagerfeild and striped tee’s, French fashion greatly influences Americans. Twice a year Paris holds a fashion week: the styles that walk down Parisian catwalks during the week directly influences the colors that you see in your local Target, department store and make-up counter. Paris trends used to take an average of one to two years to hit mainstream fashion in here America, but thanks to blogging and social media, the time frame now is much shorter.

Have you ever gotten together with your girlfriends for a shopping mission? “I’m on the hunt for the perfect pair of flats.” If you have spent countless hours scouring online shops, department stores, second hand venues, and boutiques to find your HG (holy grail) item, then you have been influenced. The French pride themselves on finding a few select classic pieces that they can integrate seamlessly into their wardrobe – whereas Americans like having several classic pieces. While the number of pieces may vary, the concept still holds.

You go to the movies

While there is some debate over who invented the motion picture, there is no debate that it was the Lumière Brothers who invented the cinematographic process and the cinema culture that we know today. It was in Paris that they introduced le cinematographe which functioned as a camera and projector in one. They created over 1,400 short films, which were shown in theaters, behind cafés and basements. Soon snacks were served with the films, and the cinema culture was born. This is one cultural influence that Americans take very seriously!

It should also be noted that the French can also be accredited for another ever present cinematic influence in America that you may or may not be thankful for.

That certain je n’ai sais quoi

It has been said that for the average American who has never studied the French language, he/she already knows 15,000 French terms and vocabulary words! If you live in the South, particularly Louisiana, that number almost doubles. Even if you have never cracked open a French textbook, you speak more French than you know! For example:

“This morning I met with Susan at our local cafe for coffee. She had a soy latte (poor thing is lactose intolerant), and I had my usual cafe au lait. Afterwards we browsed a few boutiques. I found the cutest bikini at an “end of summer” sale! It always baffles me as to why people don’t wait for sales like these, before spending full price. When I shop, I always need to be on a budget.”

Can you spot the French vocabulary? There are seven words:
café
lactose
café au lait
boutique
bikini
baffle
budget
[Technically "sale" is too, but with a completely different meaning]

Every day we use hundreds of French words without even knowing it! What other French influences have you noticed in your day to day life? Do you have particular French traits that you have adopted?

Tagged as: Cultures, Guest Posts