France - Jasmin McHugh by Jasmin Mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z Day to Day Life & Cultural Norms en-us 2018-06-18 23:28:02 UTC 2025-10-27 15:05:33 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Condos.png Mornings & Breakfast j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267699566 Most in France start their days off around 6 or 7 am, with a simple breakfast of freshly baked goods, a piece of fruit, and a cup of coffee before work or school.

Getting up early to make a communal breakfast for family or roommates isn’t uncommon, however, and in this sort of household, people will often take turns cooking.
]]> 2018-06-18 23:45:35 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267699566 j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267699706 2018-06-18 23:47:36 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267699706 Midday & Lunch j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267699841 Whether at work or at school, the French typically take long lunch breaks, around 2 hours. During these breaks, many will go to cafes or restaurants for lunch to get a freshly made meal.

his break can also help with mental health, giving those in office jobs and the like a much needed rest.]]> 2018-06-18 23:49:02 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267699841 Evening & Dinner j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267700331 While French dinners aren’t large, they make up for that in delicious foods. Marinated meats, rich soup, and cheese boards are all common occurrences at French tables.

Dessert is also an event, with ice cream, cakes, and chocolate delicacies. 
]]> 2018-06-18 23:55:33 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/267700331 Education j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/268928607 Starting at 8am and finishing at 4pm, French schools run two hours longer than those in Australia. Their classes are typically smaller, averaging 23 students, who usually begin schooling at age 6 and end at age 18.
Students also have a half-day on Saturday, making up for not attending school on Wednesday or Sunday. For public school students, lunch is a two-hour break, with many actually leaving the school grounds to eat at a cafe.]]> 2018-06-29 02:25:12 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/268928607 Nutritional Impact j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/268928642 The average french diet is high in carbohydrates and calories, as while their portion sizes are typically smaller than those in Australia and the U.S.A, the food that those in France eat is very rich, with a lot of butter, sugar, and meats in their diet.
This way of eating seems to balance out in terms of nutrition with many western countries, with no damages or advantages gained from this diet other than tasty food.]]> 2018-06-29 02:25:32 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/268928642 Physical Activity j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/268928696 While the average French citizen doesn't frequent the gym, they aren't at all lazy or unfit. 
An impressively large majority of the people in France walk a huge amount, as in many cities, the streets are full of public transport. 
Owning a car is mostly useless, as parking is near impossible. Henceforth, many instead catch a bus or train within a few blocks to their work, school, or desired destination, walking the rest of the way.]]> 2018-06-29 02:25:56 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/268928696 French Paradox j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269201350 The French Paradox was formulated by French epidemiologists in the 1980's, after noticing that despite a high intake of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, the coronary heart disease (CHD) rate was unexpectedly low.
A large reason behind this is the French's physical activity.]]> 2018-07-02 23:13:03 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269201350 Mental Illnesses & Support j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269202440 Those who are affected by a serious mental illness in France are roughly 3 million, with the suicide rate averaged at .00009%.
It's low compared to other western countries; for example, the U.S.A's suicide rate is .00013%, and Australia's is .000118%.
This is both due to the typically positive effect on the psyche that living in France offers, as well as the fact that French health organisations are both less costly and more effective than many others.
This is partly possible due to how low the numbers of those with a mental illness are, as in the U.S.A, at least 40 million are affected by a serious mental illness - a huge step up from the 3 million in France.]]> 2018-07-02 23:32:48 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269202440 Positive Mental Health j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269202649 In France, the impact of their lifestyles on their mental health is mostly positive.
A large aspect of this is how their schools and jobs function; with a two hour break in the middle of the day, which is much larger than almost any break during working hours in the U.S.A and Australia.
This allows for the brain to rest, recover, and absorb information, instead of the constant pounding of other lifestyles, and with everyone content, positivity spreads. 
French diet and exercise also play a part in well mental health, with most people not overeating and taking long, relaxing walks most places.]]> 2018-07-02 23:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269202649 Sources j_e_mchugh https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269209777 http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-suicide/facts-and-stats
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/state-mental-health-america
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2753/IMH0020-7411380401?journalCode=mimh20
https://www.fondationdefrance.org/en/mental-illness
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-french-diet]]> 2018-07-03 01:26:56 UTC https://padlet.com/j_e_mchugh/1lxtkv36x8z/wish/269209777