We're hungry to learn in Toulouse!

If you tend to spoil your dinner from time to time by snacking in the afternoon, you’re likely to hear the French expression “Un bon repas doit commencer par la faim.”

While this expression (“A good meal must start with hunger.”) may help to explain why French people don’t typically snack between meals, it also refers to motivation. Much like there is no point in eating if you’re not hungry, there is no point in setting goals if you’re not motivated to achieve them. Thankfully, CIEE students are “hungry” in both senses of the word here in Toulouse!

After language classes on Monday, we ate lunch together at a nearby cafe, Le Trinity’s, appropriately named after the square in which it is located. 

We used the restaurant as our setting for the afternoon’s “OZ le Français” session. (You can read more about this part of the curriculum in Maylén’s blog.)

We carefully perused the menu, and students asked me or a server to clarify vocabulary they did not understand. The staff was incredibly accommodating, helpful, and patient. 

While we were waiting for our food, we discussed (en français, bien sûr!) what we typically eat and cook at home, our favorite foods, and our opinions of the menu. We also talked about cultural differences between the USA and France in reference to food and meals.

Here are some things the students have noticed so far:

- You aren’t expected to leave a tip for servers at restaurants.  
- After you finish your meal at a restaurant there is no expectation that you’ll leave right away. 
- You have to ask for the bill. 
- Host families eat together each evening. 
- Families spend an hour or two at the table during/after dinner. 
- Dinner is served around 7:00 or 8:00 pm. 
- It is impolite to have a cell phone at the table. 
- Everyone wishes each other Bon appétit before they start to eat.
- Lunch and dinner are often served in courses: salad, main dish, cheese, dessert. 
- Portions are smaller than what’s typically offered in the USA. 
- “Une entrée” refers to an appetizer and not “un plat”, which is a main dish. 
- Water glasses are smaller than in the USA. 
 

Even though all of the students are more comfortable using English, they chose to converse in French during lunch. In fact, as part of CIEE's Global Navigator Pledge, students are expected to communicate in the target language at all times. However, the goal of total langauge immersion would be futile if the students weren’t motivated. 

Thankfully, these student continue to impress me with their “hunger” to learn more about the French language and culture. They challenge, help, and encourage each other in their efforts. It is such a privilege to witness them become more confident speakers during our time together in Toulouse.