I met my husband in a bar. I had been laid-off from my job in Chicago, and decided to come to Paris for a short break and to clear my head. We met in a boisterous Brit bar during a rugby game, hit it off, spent a few weeks driving around France in an old 2CV and then decided to move to San Francisco together. A few years later we were hosting our wedding in a little town in the North of France. Yup, it’s all really magical and romantic, except if you happen to be at a party in Paris with more than one other Franco-American couple. If that’s the case, you’re sure to find that at least 5 out of 7 of the couples have nearly the same “meet cute”, and quite frankly, it can be down-right embarrassing! We (American women) all know what we see in 
them (French men): from Pepé Le Pew to Marge Simpson’s randy French bowling coach, Jacques, we’ve grown up with this stereotype of the French man being romantic, sexy, intellectual and an excellent cook. It’s not until you actually move in with a French man (and then connect with other American women married to French men to gossip about it ) do you learn about all of the other stuff- the thing with the heat, the thing with the lights, the thing with the hot lunches…. the thing with his mother (who knew?!?). But is that other stuff just part of the stereotype as well? And what about the other side of the coin: what is it about American women that causes so many French guy’s eyes to stray Stateside?
For an insightful, entertaining peek into Franco-American relationships, you’ve got to pick up a copy of Polly Platt’s recent book, “Love à la française.” Through interviews and case studies, Polly looks at the attraction between American women and French men. What makes American women chuck it all in, marry their French man and move to Paris- and what does (or doesn’t) keep them there? Like all of Polly Platt’s books, this one shouldn’t be relegated to your “chick lit” shelf. I think it’s an interesting read for both sides of an Anglo-Franco couple, and should sit high on the required reading list of those considering taking the Parisian Lover’s Leap.
hey Kim
what an exciting story! I also met my boyfriend in another country - I’m Swiss, studied in Alaska Fairbanks, and met him there. We’re not married yet but well I hope one day! In any case, I can relate to cultural differences hahaha. And mother… oh YEA. Laugh.
Keep your eyes peeled, I’ve outsourced my wedding blog, should be up very soon!
Talk to you shortly. Greetings from Alaska to
the city of romance (smile)
Astrid
Interesting to look at it from this perspective. I’m actually an Englishman with a French female partner, and I’d say this set up is far more common in my experience. The reasons for the initial attraction are quite easy to understand - English man falls for beautiful, gracious female, whilst French female falls for gentleman with sense of humour. It’s a cliche, but generally true, and often seems to be a match that works well together.
What about things that don’t live up to the cliché? Well, French girls today don’t cook for one thing!
They cook? Mine doesn’t!
The other side of the coin, as you put it, is something I’d be interested in reading about. Thanks for the book suggestion. I’m also really curious about Adam’s comment about Englishmen dating French women - that’s something that often comes up when talking with other American women married to French men. That is, who are all the French women dating? Now we know, I guess!
Question: I am an american, son of French-Canadian parents, who has spent a long time living in Paris. To tell you the truth, I don’t really know the stereotypes of French men. I think there are a higher percentage of French men who have very limp handshakes, and I don’t always understand their in-group, out-group cliques, but I have not met an American woman who has fallen for a French guy. As a result, I don’t know the stereotypes…..but I’m interested! Can you suggest any websites to catch up on my cliches?
Sarah -> I guess it depends on the circles you move in, but I know of quite a few French female/English male combinations and not many the other way around. I suppose there examples of just about every international combination in Paris, but the generally accepted rule is that French women look north and French men look south. I think English/Dutch/Scandinavian women probably put the fear of God into French me too!
I love your love story Kim
LOL I went to Paris and nobody fell for me :o( A lot of pigeons followed me around but no charming French men.
But I fell for the city, the food and the people so it was a one-sided love affair. C’est la vie. I came back to the states and dated one more mistake before meeting my very wonderful Canadian husband who took me to Quebec City to propose. LOL it was close enough to France for me. Better then if he had taken me to Vegas to the *fake* French hotels that everyone is always telling me I should go to if I loved Paris. I’m sure they’re nice and all but come on…. It’s not the same thing.
Cute story. I have always loved foreign men myself.
Hey! Just discovered your blog on Polly Vous Francais!
I married my Big Cheese and left everything behind in the USA.
Totally agree with the lights, lunches, and MIL!! Venting about it is great therapy isn’t it?!
Bisous from La Mom