Differences between France and Ireland
Ireland is geographically located more in the north than France. So, it is not surprising that the weather is colder. Nevertheless, up to to now we are lucky about the climate which is not so bad. I read a French press article where it was written that the temperature is going to be the worst since 100 years from mid-November. I hope that it is a false information. The atmospheric conditions are the first difference between Ireland and France.
The second one is that the Irish have not the same food culture than French people.
Firstly, I noted that in Dublin there are not a lot of choices of cheeses, the most widespread is the cheddar. In France there are many varieties of cheeses, there are approximately 3500 cheeses. If you want to buy some French cheeses in Ireland you have to go in specialized shops or in the restaurants.
Secondly, the Irish are not excellent in pastry and bread. I tried the bread of « Le Parisien », a french bakery at the left of Trinity College, it didn't taste very good and it was expensive (2€ whereas in France it’s around 0,70€ per baguette).
Thirdly, we haven’t the same habits for the breakfast. The Irish breakfast is composed of eggs, tomatoes, Irish bacon, Irish Sausages, Black Pudding. While the French eat a bowl of bran cereal with a fruit juice. Therefore we don’t take the time to prepare a meal and to feed ourselves.
Fourthly, Irish people are used to drink alcohol earlier than French people, so the nightclubs opening more early. They are also more clubber than Parisian, you can go out in night clubs every nights if you want to. They drink more beers than us, this beverage is really present in their culture and there is an impressive number of pubs. In my city you can go to parties principally the week-end and the Thursdays (the day for student parties).
Fifthly, most of the shops are open on Sunday, it’s really practical to do some shopping. In France this day is considered as the day of rest. A few magasins are open but most of them are closed. Therefore we must anticipate to have enough food for this day.
I noticed that Irish people are not heavy smokers in comparison with French people. Cigarettes are more expansive, nearly 10€ whereas in France it costs 7€. It can be a good thing to dissuade teenagers to begin smoking and becoming addicted. However for the smokers that encourage us to smoke less, but even so it is a real budget.
Halloween is a huge party in Ireland, everybody dress up for this occasion in skeleton, vampire, witch, etc. In France, only young people celebrate Halloween (in particularly in the villages). They knock at the neighbor’s door to obtain candies and after they watch horror movies all night long.
There are a lot of differences between Ireland and France, two European Union charming cities. I certainly forgot some but for me these are the principal ones.
