Today's lesson: Je vais au supermarché

In French 101, or any introductory second language course, one of the first few lessons you learn is food vocabulary. This usually goes in with the verb "to like" or "to dislike/hate", I assume this is because Americans, like the French, are passionate about their food. It just makes sense to be able to express this in foreign language because eating is a requirement and it suits one well to know EXACTLY what to say when ordering food. Food happens to be a PASSION of mine, as you can see in the photo below, so I will walk you through how you shop in France and also give myself a grade for my shopping trip today.

Throughout France, you can find open-air markets (the equivalent of sea-food or farmers' markets across the US). You can also find small groceries that are independently owned, along with butchers, bakers and candle stick makers. But you can still find the often detested supermarché. It's really a love hate/relationship. If you're a food purist, you would want to get your meats and breads from their respective creators: the boulangerie and the boucherie. Cheesemakers, also, are called les crèmeries. It's sort of that same idea of supporting local business. And if you are an enthusiast of gastronomy, like Anthony Bourdain, you're going to shop there for your better ingredients.


The rest of us mere mortals will shop at the supermarket. But there are VAST differences between US Supermarkets and French Supermarkets. Namely the food suppliers are held to higher standards and the ARRAY of cheeses and breads available is ridiculous. Much like the US market you can get your meats from either the deli or the refrigerator section, but the meats available pre-packaged are quite good.


The first few times I was over here, back in 2006, I experienced severe culture shock at the grocery. Everything looked familiar but nothing FELT right. I wasn't aware, for example, that when you purchase produce you must weigh the items on a small scale and print and affix the barcode yourself. That was a shock when the grocery lady yelled at me for ten minutes, and I, fresh of the boat, had no clue what the problem was. Lesson learned: go with a native the first time you go shopping. Cost: 12 Euros Grade A+


It's ALSO very important to purchase a recyclable bag. And I don't mean like you do in America. In the US...you buy them and forget them at your house or in your trunk. Here, if you forget your sack, you're screwed. Some grocery stores charge for plastic bags. I actually don't think this is a bad thing. It's a way of cutting down on environmental waste. You can often, however, buy those recyclable bags at the store. But you will be out a few euros. Lesson learned: Unless you enjoy precariously balancing multiple items as you WALK back to your apartment (Oh yeah. No cars here) buy the stinking bag. Cost 1 euro. Grade: A+


You will see things that are familiar variations of things you've known back home: sandwich breads, canned pasta, microwave rice, even SLICED AMERICAN CHEESE (although I think they refer to it as hamburger or croque cheese). Although it may be tempting to buy those, try to get out of your comfort zone a bit. I know. I failed today because I definitely got some hamburger cheese and sandwich bread with the INTENT of making grilled cheese. But the Camebert, Roquefort, and Chevre makes up for that a little. Lesson Learned: Think outside the cheese box. Cost: 15-20 Euros. Grade: C.
Today I give myself a solid A minus. I'm sorry, I'm not TOO sorry about the grilled cheese I'm making. So excited.