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In episode 14, Mimi and Suzy dive into the French world of supermarkets—from neighborhood Monoprix and walkable Super U to mega-sized E.Leclerc, produce paradise Grand Frais, and frozen-only cult favorite Picard. They compare U.S. variety with France’s strict seasonality and origin labeling, swap horror stories about the mustard and butter shortages, and get practical about scoring a good €6–€8 bottle. Picard gets a full love letter, and the episode wraps with souvenir do’s and don’ts.

Keywords

French supermarkets, Monoprix, Super U, Leclerc, Grand Frais, Picard, frozen food, produce seasonality, origin labeling, mustard shortage, butter shortage, Amora, Maille, cornichons, wine tips, wine medals, champagne, customs limits, how to ship butter internationally, butter, honey, local producers, groceries.

Chapters

00:00 – Supermarket Stories
02:00 – Monoprix, Super U & Leclerc Compared
05:00 – Suzy's Ode to Picard
10:00 – Mustard and Butter Shortages
14:00 – Wine Aisles and Missing Imports
20:00 – Seasonal Produce & Label Laws
25:00 – The Honey Monopoly Exposed
27:00 – Best Souvenirs to Bring Back

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In episode 13, Mimi and Suzy explore what it’s really like to date French men, from first dates and slow-to-arrive kisses to relationships that seem to form without discussion. They unpack the cultural differences around exclusivity, commitment, and the lack of a “define the relationship” talk, while also diving into the phenomenon of love bombing and how to recognize red and green flags early on. With Mimi’s perspective as someone married to a Frenchman and Suzy’s experience dating in France today, they compare etiquette around splitting the bill, expectations of romance, and why French men may be stylish and expressive but less inclined toward machismo. The discussion also looks at dating apps, presentation and grooming, and the subtle cultural cues that shape relationships across borders.

Keywords

Dating in France, French men, French dating culture, love bombing, monogramy, commitment, first-date etiquette, splitting the bill, intercultural relationships, French kissing, dating apps in France (Hinge, Fruitz, Bumble, OkCupid, AdopteUnMec, Tinder), cultural differences, red flags, green flags, communication styles, expat life in France, French masculinity, French fashion, relationship dynamics, dating abroad.

Chapters

00:01 — La Rentrée Stress
01:08 — Dating French Men
07:12 — Exclusivity and Commitment
09:06 — Love Bombing and Red Flags
19:41 — Machismo, Romance, and Style
28:24 — Dating Apps in France
35:00 — First-Date Etiquette
40:36 — Final Thoughts

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In episode 12, Mimi and Suzy explore the reality of speaking French with the French—from cafés and comedy clubs to parties that last until dawn. They share stories of microaggressions, waiters switching to English, the cultural “art of sparring,” and how accents shape perception in France. With Mimi’s immersion-through-slang approach and Suzy’s years of formal study, they compare very different learning experiences and reveal what it actually takes to feel confident in French. Along the way, they recount comic misunderstandings, frustrating encounters with French administration, and joyful milestones that prove persistence pays off.

Keywords

Speaking French, French language, French culture, living in France, accents in France, French slang, French administration, microaggressions, cultural sparring, Parisian culture, bilingual life, learning French abroad, foreigners in France, French identity, expat life in France, French waiters, French integration, French comedy, cultural adaptation, French fluency, French pronunciation.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Listener Shoutout
01:30 – From Learning French to Speaking with the French
03:00 – Parisian Sparring, Microaggressions & Administration Culture
06:20 – Mimi’s Slang Beginnings vs. Suzy’s Formal Study
09:30 – Accents, Perceptions & Cultural Bias
11:00 – Comedy Clubs, Roasting & Regional Speech
15:30 – Pronunciation Struggles & Being Understood
19:20 – Identity, Bias & The “Where Are You From?” Question
21:30 – Waiters Switching to English & Language Pet Peeves
27:00 – Milestones, Parties & Professional Confidence
42:45 – Practical Tips for Visitors & Final Reflections