Firstly, it is necessary to realise that this guide is mildly biased. I come from London and Canterbury; the biggest cultural differences have come from the fact that Saint-Dizier is a rural area, not just because it's French.
- (Note for students) If you are told that your room will be sparse, they mean it. "Prison chic" was the first expression that came to my mind.
- (Another note for students) Your idea of "recently refurbished" will probably be different from theirs. Hessian wallpaper with vertical stripes, anyone?
- Learn to love filling in forms.
- There are not very many trains. If, for example, you turn up at Saint-Dizier station at one in the afternoon wanting to go to Reims, you will discover that the next train is at 14.03, and after two changes you arrive at Reims at 17.13. This is a distance of about 55 miles. Plan all of your journeys in advance, or buy a car. When you do catch a train, however, they are quite ridiculously cheap and reliable compared to England.
- Be careful about "vous" and "tu." You learned in the classroom that one is polite and one is friendly; now try applying it to real everyday situations.
- Kebab shops close before pubs. Well, cafes.
- When in said cafes, you don't have to go up to the bar to buy drinks; a waiter will come to you. However, he will only bring a half of lager - no pints of real beer. If you wait for the waiter, you will probably think that you're not drinking very much; if, however, you go to the bar in the meantime to top up, the locals will probably think you are a complete piss artist. If you want a pint, ask for "un baron," but be prepared for an odd look from the barman.
- Nothing opens on Sundays. Not much opens on Mondays. Nothing opens at lunchtimes. Learn to organise your life around these facts.
- However, some things happen very quickly; France Telecom will re-connect an old phoneline within two days and send an engineer round to check that it works.
- SNCF staff are Not Helpful.
- Everything is cheap. Except chocolate.
- Toilets are much better than they used to be.
- Lunch happens early; dinner happens late.
- French food is not nearly as interesting as French people think.