Reasons You Wished You Live in France

So, here in France, they have this thing called "The Pause." The pause is a not very short lunch break. At around 12 noon until about 2pm (although it can fluctuate depending on the store or office) everyone goes home to have lunch. What else people do at this time, I have no idea. I mean, I like to sit for a long time over a nice sandwich, but 2 hours!

But today when we were walking home from school, we decided to stop and pick up a baguette for lunch. We stopped in at a Boulangerie (pronounced: "Boolangairee") and bought two small baguettes famous for their crunchy, bites-you-back outside, and their soft, I-want-to-get-inside-the-baguette inside. On the way back we passed 5 friends, all heading to some sort of lunch engagement with friends. A nice way to spend the middle two hours of your day in sunny Chambery today. As we walked up to our apartment, I realized that the parking lot was full, and there was a mass retreat into the buildings, all the people having left behind their stressful work days to take a nice lunch with their loved ones, or simply read the paper and take a nap.

The pause hours here are sacred. You don't call someone during the pause. You wouldn't dare bother them. And don't try getting anything done during the pause, since all the stores and offices will be closed, except for a few boulangeries who have the ominous task of feeding all the hungry people. It's kind of like forced rest. Seriously, even if you wanted to be productive during this time, it would be pretty difficult! So do as the French!!

Oh, and don't forget about the "Goutee". That little practice happens around 5 o'clock (work ends around 6). The goutee is a short break in which people eat a snack, which should consist of something chocolate. This could include a chocolate truffle or candy, but more commonly consists of croissants with little bits of chocolate in it (called pain au chocolat), buttery wafers with chocolate chips, or a piece of toast with "Nutella" spread on it. You may have seen Nutella in the states. It's the European peanut butter, but instead of peanuts, it is a chocolate-hazelnut spread. Mmmmm! Don't you wish you lived in France?