French Culture Vs American Culture Essay

Understanding how other cultures believe can help one appreciate his or her own culture even more. In society, there are numerous different beliefs out there in turn causing no two cultures to be alike. For example, the interesting culture of France is very diversified because of the country’s religions, social norms, relationships, and gender roles.

Covering such a vast area and population dispersion, France is home to several different religions. The majority of people in France practice mainly Roman Catholicism. Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim religions fall into the minority with around ten to fourteen percent of the entire population practicing these religions. Each religion has its own set of rules, beliefs, and bylaws with only a few overlapping ideas, this is what causes a culture to be so diverse and ultimately making other cultures differ from one another.

In France, there are many different social norms that are practiced throughout the nation. For example, there are

gender-specific normalities that are used when greeting one another. For men greeting other men, “Men shake hands when greeting one another while maintaining direct eye contact” (Culture Crossing, 2014, “Greetings”). For women to women and men to women greetings, most of the time light kisses on the cheek will occur depending on familiarity with one another (Culture Crossing, 2014). The way that people greet other people is a good way to compare and contrast differences between cultures.
Like any other culture, the French have their own way of communication. The main religion of France is French which is spoken by 88% of the country (Kwentessential, 2015). Many French speakers can speak English, but tend to be hesitant when it comes to speaking it (Culture Crossing, 2014). When meeting a native for the first time, they may seem very distant like they are trying to ‘figure you out’ so to speak. The French also do not beat around the bush, they tell it like it is, but in a polite manner (Culture Crossing, 2014). The communication its self is just one major way that cultures can differ one another. No culture is alike especially with the way its natives communicate with one another.
Family, relationships, and marriages are another way makes each culture unique. Some cultures tend to stay distant from their family members and others live together and spend most of their time with one another. In France, families are relatively small and “the extended family provides both emotional and financial support (Kwentessential, 2015). With this being said, it is safe to say that the French are close knit with their family members. When it comes to relationships and marriages, the French are more reserved. Although in the culture they are seen to be romantics, “the French have a practical approach towards marriage” (Kwentessential, 2015, “French Family Values”). This romantic perspective is typically a stereotype that people associate the French with. However, this is not always the case.
Gender roles play a major aspect of how a culture is unique. In France, it can vary by region, but for the most part has the same guidelines. For example, in France in earlier years, men and women typically work together. However, due to the industrialization of the country, women and men typically both work, but in separate industries (Countries and their Cultures). Like in the United States, there is a wage gap between men and women present in France (Countries and their Cultures). There are people that are pushing for gender equality in gender roles.
Often times people look down on others who do not believe the same as they do. The best way to define this is with a term called ethnocentrism, or “judging other cultures in terms of the standard of one’s own” (BOOK). This type of judgement happens all over with every culture. Just because people in China believe something, it does not mean that what the French believe is incorrect.
The French follow a social stratification theory on class systems.

This theory follows Karl Marx beliefs on the class system. This class system is very unique and is not as similar to that of the United States class system. The higher class that has say on what goes on in the country is called the Bourgeoisie (Countries and their Cultures, 2016). Just like other aspects to a culture, every culture differs from one another in some way.

The French culture is currently in a post modernistic time period, a theory written by a French philosopher, Jean Baudrilllard (BOOK). This is a time when the government does not govern by history or progress (BOOK). With the idea of modernization of not only the government, but of the cell phone and internet capability as well, those in other countries are able to share cultures with one another. Whether it be the French looking up American music or vice versa, this shows how the modernizing of technology can help aide in sharing cultural

ideas.
As one would assume, there are some small overlapping areas among cultures. If one was to compare the French culture to that of Americas, you would see some overlapping. Like in France, Americans tend to have close knit families. Americans also tend to greet others with handshakes. However, when it comes to religion in the United States, the majority is flipped. Similar overlaps in cultures allow people to appreciate both their native cultures and those that have are similar. Appreciating other cultures allow people to have more respect for other people and their beliefs.
Every culture is unique in their own way. No two cultures are exactly alike. However, there are a few overlaps. These overlaps have come about because of sharing beliefs from culture to culture. France has a lot of aspect to its culture that makes it unique such as religion, social norms, relationships, and gender roles. Learning details about other cultures is vital to help people appreciate and understand other people’s beliefs evens more.