Returning home to New York hit me with the biggest culture shock I’ve ever felt. Now, I’m no stranger to culture shock. My first notable quake occurred when I moved to Paris at the age of 18, with just a handful of French words at my disposal (croissant, café, cigarette…)

Left: 2 rows of café tables on a Parisian terrace with red chairs and a couple of friends in the back corner; right: a woman with dark hair reads a book on her Parisian balcony with a Haussman style building across the street.
Top: Abhay Thakur; Above- Left: photo by Latrach Medjamil; Right: photo by Mariana Dalchico

The move hit pretty high on the Richter scale. Eventually I assimilated as best I could, and my American friends who came to visit told me I seemed “French.” (For the record, the French always said I seemed “Swedish.”)

Years later, with an expired visa and packed boxes, I sat in my beautiful 6eme étage Montparnasse apartment that looked out over some of the best rooftops Paris has to offer. I told myself that I would surely find a way to return to Paris within three to six months. It never occurred to me to prepare for re-assimilation into New York culture. I never once imagined that eight years later, I’d still be in New York, shocked and shaken, fighting passionately to maintain une vie parisienne in New York City.

An obstructed view of Paris with a plethora of rooftops and Sacre Cœur seen at sunset.
photo by Remy Penet

As a native New Yorker, I possess certain habits that I can’t quite shake, even when living abroad. I tend to speed walk everywhere, and I consider jaywalking to be the right-of-way, no matter what. At every checkout counter I strike up a conversation. I also can’t help but leave a twenty percent tip for bad service. And in the subway I scream, “Hold the doors!” as I fly down the stairs. But of course I scream at others when they do the same.

A view of a historic stair case leading outside, taking from the food of the steps but several feet back.
photo by Joseph Pearson

Yet, despite my innate New Yorkness, I found it challenging to re-integrate with family and old friends when I first moved back. I was still me. But now I had an inner Parisienne who made me cringe at the idea of ordering a coffee to go.

She still considers the occasional cigarette to be healthy and is offended by aggressive no-smoking policies (even though they’ve only helped her kick the habit). She believes in bike paths, small cars, and a public transportation system that does not run 24/7 so that it can be cleaned and maintained.

Two men photographed from behind walking on Broadway in NYC in the theatre district, photographed in black and white.
photo by Zack Marshall

At times, my inner Parisienne has been so dominant she made me do silly things, like not thinking twice about moving into a five-story walk-up with no elevator. She even tricked me into thinking I could survive another New York heat wave without an air conditioner. She has since learned to love her new air conditioner.

Even at work, while I was negotiating with a former employer, my inner Parisienne took charge by claiming that her “quality of life” was in jeopardy and insisting that she take a full hour-long lunch break each workday. She also explained that two weeks really wasn’t enough vacation time to go anywhere worthwhile. Surely, I must be entitled to more in life than just work, n’est-ce pas?

A busy New York street in the heart of Chinatown with a greay car driving off, and a row of parked cars and a line of traffic.
photo by Amanda Dalbjorn

It was shortly after my boss refused to meet my requests that it occurred to me that I was no longer culturally shocked. Now I was actually culturally transformed. I can’t help being a New Yorker. Just as much as I can’t seem to let go of my inner Parisienne. I’ve been living in New York seven years and six months longer than I ever anticipated, and it might be a while longer before I have the chance to live in Paris again. Until then, no matter where in the world I may be, I will happily embrace ma vie parisienne.

  • Are Parisians rude? Maybe. Impolite? Never!!! Find out the distinction and learn more about la politesse.
  • Where to go for stunning food and cocktails, and a breathtaking rooftop terrace that is popular with Parisians and tourists alike? Meet Julien Sebbag at Créatures to find out more.
  • What might be the biggest cultural difference of all? 

Written by Elise Marafioti for HIP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.

WRITTEN BY

Elise Marafioti

Elise was born and raised in New York where she pursued a career in classical and modern dance. During a hiatus from performing, she moved to Paris and attended the American University of Paris. After living in more than six different arrondissements over the years, soaking up as much of Paris as possible, she returned to New York. Throughout the years, Elise has taken every opportunity to return to Paris and has also traveled extensively throughout Europe.

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