Our local French pharmacist in Rennes gave me the best advice for allergy relief. I have strong seasonal allergies, and love to hike, especially in the forest. My eyes the day after a hike would be swollen and painful. The pharmacist told me that this is because pollen gets trapped under the eyelids. She recommended rinsing my eyes before bed with the physiodose used for baby eye care. This is so effective! I no longer wake looking like some strange alien due to swollen eyes after a hike.

@pawlieblog7967

Жыл бұрын

Ingenious!

@ccmarcum

Жыл бұрын

Next time you are in the pharmacy, pick up a tube of Biafine cream. It can be used to moisturizer dry skin but is especially good for your face--not greasy, and very reasonably priced--who needs the big name cosmetics?

@MegaZombywoof

Жыл бұрын

@@ccmarcum Nope. This is a very bad advice. That's not the purpose of this cream and it can be toxic and dangerous for your health.

@ccmarcum

Жыл бұрын

@@MegaZombywoof It was recommended to me by the pharmacist. There is also a version for burns. How can Biafine be toxic? What is the purpose, if not for moisturizing? Thanks.

@MegaZombywoof

Жыл бұрын

@@ccmarcum It was created to repair and to heal wounds and burns. Look for information on internet. It is classified as a drug, it contains Trolamine (could cause cancer) and Parabens (might be an endocrine disruptor) if used daily. And you may reconsider your pharmacist abilities.

I caught a head cold in France. My friend, who is a French doctor, suggested I use this nose spray instead of decongestants because I have high blood pressure. You know what? I used it, it unclogged my nose and to this day, that's what I use and it's great.

@1705louloutte

Жыл бұрын

Sterimar it's called

An added bonus to the gant de toilette is you can put little soap bar ends & bits inside it and easily use them up without dropping them down the drain. I now carry one whenever I travel. Great souvenir gift along with a lovely French soap!

@yazdhenab.

Жыл бұрын

For almost finished soaps bar, you can out them in your laundry and in the washing machine then. My mom ised to do that and when we'd alsmot done à2 soap, we threw it in the laundry basket 😅

@alexthomson7465

Жыл бұрын

You give old soap in a used flannel glove as a gift? 🤢

@marysloane1709

Жыл бұрын

@@alexthomson7465 obviously she meant fresh 🤦‍♀️

@alexthomson7465

Жыл бұрын

@@marysloane1709 I do love the idea of it though! 😂

@marysloane1709

Жыл бұрын

@@alexthomson7465 😂

I'd be mortified, just like you, about that bread bag faux pas. I'd immediately buy them a new one, so there'd never be a lingering memory of what happened as they put bread away.

@kath6720

2 жыл бұрын

I would have left the country never to be remembered again 😂😂

@mariapierce2707

2 жыл бұрын

@@kath6720 too funny.😆

@rushellrousseau9197

Жыл бұрын

@@kath6720 Sammeeeee!! Omg!! Horribbllleeeee, I'm stresseddddd !

@extatis

Жыл бұрын

You know we have washing machines in France ahah

@tomkins7382

Жыл бұрын

In the UK, we use bread bins...basically, as it sounds, a bin that sits in the corner of your counter top with a sliding door to keep your bread out of the direct light and heat of the kitchen.

I knew nothing of electric kettles and was making my tea in the microwave. Friends in Prague were astounded and every furnished flat rental has one provided. I had to come back to the US when Covid hit and immediately ordered one online. Like you, I use it every day, and not just for tea

I live in Cameroon, Africa, and baguettes are popular here. I usually buy a bag of 4-5 "déjeunettes" every week at the Carrefour supermarket and store them in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. I just have to make sure I take one out at least an hour before breakfast to thaw in time. A bread bag might not work here because, since this is the tropics, ants are a problem

@rmp7400

2 жыл бұрын

I freeze mine too, even here in Chicago!🇺🇲

@filiaaut

Жыл бұрын

Bread bag also works best for a typical mainland french climate, temperate and relatively dry, where the issue with leaving bread out overnight is it drying out (while leaving it in an airtight container leads to mold). In areas where the air is more humid and bread left out overnight becomes mushy, it doesn't work so well. From experience, I can say that at least in Brittany, in February, it doesn't work great, maybe things are a little different in hot humid air.

@WavyCurlyGina

3 ай бұрын

I love my electric kettle. There was one in our hotel near Disneyland Paris 😊

For the duvet : never use it bare. Always use a covers that covers both sides ( like for a pillow ). To put the cover easily, you should look for tutorials. There are several ways to put them. It s a bit difficult for me because my duvet is 240cm large ( and over 260 long ). But in short : put the duvet on the bed, with head facing you. Reverse the cover. Get into the cover, with the top behind you, and the bottom facing you. Grab the two corners from the head side. One corner in each hand. Now, each hand must grab one corner of the duvet, through the cover. Congrats you look completely stupid. Get the cover from your back above your head, above your arms. Never release any hand. Now, shake it hard during 1 mn. The feet side or the cover will slide down around the cover. You now hold a covered duvet. For small duvet like 140x240 it goes very fast. Less than 20s. Once you understand the trick, you try to keep the cover in your arms, without completely getting in. But my very large cover is way too big for my arms. But you will easily find a short or tictoc showing this. When the duvet moves inside the cover, realign the corners, hold them firmly, and shake.

@BrandonLeeBrown

Жыл бұрын

In America duvet covers were sold here before duvets were sold here. We had quilted comforters and the duvet covers were originally sold for them. Many Americans have duvet covers for their comforters and shorten duvet cover to just duvet. So many Americans use the term duvet, for a duvet cover. Duvets are still less common than comforters, but people like keeping their comforters covered, because they are so large to wash often. When an American says, "duvet", they often are referring to a duvet cover.

La découverte du gant de toilette m'a étonné, c'est tellement basique. Les ordures dans le sac à pain, j'imagine le malaise général qui a du être suivi d'un fou rire je présume.

If i may chime in i think what you refer to in part 4 is a "couette", we tend to use the word "duvet" for camping-like sleeping bags… Maybe it's not the same in every region but i think it's the most common use of the words. I'm very surprised about your discovery of curlys, i would assume America is the best place in a world for this kind of snacks

@AliciaB.

Жыл бұрын

'duvet' c'est le mot anglais pour 'couette' en fait

@yazdhenab.

Жыл бұрын

@@AliciaB. Non une couette c'est un comforter en fait. Après tout dépend si c'est une couette blanche classique à mettre dans une housse, ou une couette décorée et épaisse qui se jette simplement sur le lit qui a déjà un set de drap + couverture

@AliciaB.

Жыл бұрын

@@yazdhenab. ben... une couette décorée et épaisse qui se jette simplement sur le lit qui a déjà un set de drap + couverture, chez moi c'est un édredon. Et le terme 'duvet' est forcément l'équivalent de notre couette à mettre dans une housse, puisqu'on le met dans un 'duvet cover'

@Michelle-oh5ws

Жыл бұрын

@@AliciaB. Oui! À Porto Rico, nous utilisons "edredón" en espagnol de la même manière que vous. Bien que parfois nous les appelions (incorrectement) "quilt" :)

@fredaves268

Жыл бұрын

@@AliciaB. l’édredon c’est une couette obèse elle peut faire jusqu’à 20cm d’épaisseur. Elle était garnie à l’origine de duvet d’oie. Quand j’étais gamin il y en avait un sur mon lit en hiver.

instead of bread bag, we use to store bread rolled into more or less thick towel/tea towel, to not let it dry overnight :)

That is the joy of living in different countries. We discover so many habits and items we did not have at home. Have fun discovering them and be happy.

@OuiInFrance

Жыл бұрын

Exactly! Such an adventure! ;-)

@user-xc4by6ck6m

Ай бұрын

Perfectly said! I love getting to know other cultures.

The electric kettle is ubiquitous in the UK. The electricity companies actually have to plan to cope with the massive surge in demand that happens when the entire nation puts their kettles on to boil at the same time at the end of major events on TV! Even in hotel rooms…and on our cruise ships…we want an electric kettle (a proud boast of P&O Cruises is that they offer kettles in the cabins!). I think it’s possibly hard wired into us now! We’ve stayed in the same gite for many years and their pillows are square…but we have noticed that hotels now, especially chain hotels, are using rectangular pillows most of the time. Another really interesting video!

@absentwithoutleave3164

2 жыл бұрын

I grew up in France and live in Australia. My parents (in France) do not have an electric kettle (just stove top) but I, in Sydney, own an electric kettle. Tea is much more frequently offered in former British colonies and Great Britain than it ever is in France.

@ybunnygurl

Жыл бұрын

Those big square pillows are called "Euro Squares" in English and were a thing of the 1980's. My aunt who was a lawyer and traveled Europe for work all the time, said they were a popular thing in the '80s and they became the thing that was like supposedly the best pillow ever for you and then they were like everywhere but she said by the late 90s she had noticed a lot of places were going back to regular old rectangular pillows because they're cheaper to get covers for and they're just ubiquitous around the world.

@bierrafeu7519

Жыл бұрын

From what I understand, USA uses 110V for appliances, so electric kettles there are a bit less efficient

@LeSarthois

Жыл бұрын

@@bierrafeu7519 Yes and no. They are as efficient because turning electricity into heat is a 100% efficient process : 1 watt of electricity= 1 watt of heat. Now, with 120volts, the heating will be slower and more gradual. However, US homes have 240 volts (dual phase) so Americans wanting to use electric kettles often buy European kettles and install a 240V outlet in their kitchen. Also, in the US, electricity tend to be more expensive (or perceived as expensive) than propane. From what I was told by a friend in the US working as a HVAC tech, the US tend to have propane water heaters more than Europe, for example. So, electric kettles are seen as slower and more expensive to run. If I recall from the Technology Connection video about them, most US kettles are also weaker than Euro ones, they have kettles that are under 1000 watts. Which I assume is because US consumers feel that a 800 watt kettle is cheaper to run, but it's also gonna be slower. Also, there's a belief that you only need/use kettles for tea. I guess it's a kind of egg and chicken situation : Europeans use kettles more often so we have more products that use hot water than the US.

@lillianbrazin3347

Жыл бұрын

I use the same electric kettle. Bought from QVC. Much faster than heating water on an electric stove. Also had one at work. 6:08

Some of the items you mentioned are quite recent in French culture.30 years ago electric kettle were rare, the same for duvets. Inhalator was the standard, not sprays. Thanks for your work.

@PhilJonesIII

Жыл бұрын

I did wonder. I arrived in France about 25 years back and remember having difficulty finding one. And that before learning to pronounce what they are called.

@frederic6998

Жыл бұрын

@@PhilJonesIII bouilloire électrique.

The clean your nose advice is not bad advice at all. I have seen where doctors have recommended using saline nose spray to clear congestion and to clean out things like pollen for those who are sensitive. I have allergies and I always clean my nose out with some saline after coming in from outside to avoid the worst of those symptoms. I also use it every morning to clear out my nose from that overnight congestion. They sell three packs of it at Costco so it is a thing here in the US.

@katescarratt4267

Жыл бұрын

Saline nasal spray (not drops) is brilliant if you're travelling by plane, as it stops your nose from drying out. The air on a plane can get very drying on a long trip. But it has to be a spray - it's almost impossible to tip your head back far enough when you're in a plane seat!

@melaniezette886

Жыл бұрын

It's OK as far as you don't over use it, most of time nose makes the best job

I have been living in France most of my life, I have never seen (or had) a bread bag or box, neither have my friends or neighbours!

@PhilJonesIII

Жыл бұрын

Sometimes, the bread sold goes from just very good to exceptional and can't last a day.

@bilp_bloup_bot

26 күн бұрын

Not everyone has it in france, but it's not uncommon either...

My husband's family stayed with us for two weeks this summer: each one had a gant de toilette. I think it's really clever. I drop washcloths all the time! Clever idea!

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

Yes so handy! And most have a little loop so you can hang them up to dry on a hook

Fellow Canadian here, who just moved to Paris at the beginning of the month. I've spent DAYS looking for square washcloths (I use them for removing my make-up, they are so handy) and rectangle pillows!! It makes more sense now why I cannot find them anywhere! 😅

@lovepilie

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome to France isabelle :)

@andersonomo597

2 жыл бұрын

Hope you don't mind a little unsolicited advice/comment.........have you tried using microfiber cloths for removing makeup? I've bought white ones and use them exclusively for that purpose, and to freshen up when I'm not ready to jump in the shower. It's AMAZING how much dirt they pick up - especially satisfying to see on the white cloth! Cheers from Australia.

@jean-michelgaiffe3834

2 жыл бұрын

@@andersonomo597 exactly! I was thinking about "Demake-up" stuff or things like that about makeup. Or you can easily find little "hands towel" in specialized stores like Linvosges (on line too!). Maybe a little bit bigger than what you are used to but it helps... And concerning the pillows, you can buy square or rectangular everywhere now 😁

@andersonomo597

2 жыл бұрын

@@jean-michelgaiffe3834 At Target yesterday I saw teeny tiny microfibre make-up remover wipes - 3 for $5. They were about 5cm x 10 cm. Not break the bank stuff but larger cloths are better value and are great for cleaning face, neck, arms. For the face with a bit of micellar water - perfect! I just use each corner and then toss it in the wash.

@musicandbooklover-p2o

Жыл бұрын

@@andersonomo597 Thank you for the advice [Ireland here]. I use muslin squares - thanks Aldi, very very good facecloths and very gentle - but think I'll try a couple of microfibre cloths as well. They will be great for make-up removal.

The peanut flavored puffs can be easily found at your local Trader Joe’s or Aldi. We’ve been enjoying them for years.

@shinyshinythings

Жыл бұрын

I’ve been in the EU for a couple of years now, so thanks for the confirmation - I was almost certain I remembered peanut puffs being a TJ’s staple for us when our son was young!

@frederic6998

Жыл бұрын

You have Aldi in USA ? What brand do you have ? The Curly brand is the best, others are just cheaper copies.

Frankly Diane, many of your videos are stacking more and more views. Quite a few people tend to recommend your videos for american reaction channels, and so they link your channel, and i believe it has something to do with it. I said it a long time ago, but your channel is actually useful to americans i believe, and as a french, i endorse 90% of what you say (which is a lot). Definitely a recommandation. And your french accent continues to get better. Sometimes when you only say a single word it sounds like it was said by an actual french.

@ccmarcum

Жыл бұрын

Talk about faint praise .BTW Nox, nationality names need capital letters.

@nox8730

Жыл бұрын

@@ccmarcum It is not faint praise. It is a level-headed praise that does not use noisy superlatives for the sake of not sounding as if i was on drugs. It is meant to adress what i wanted to say in the most objective way possible. This is the very reason why this is praise, and not boot-licking flattery. I fail to see what is your problem with my comment... I was taught in school that only 'proper nouns' took capitals. 'America' takes one, as it is the name of a continent, but 'americans' takes none, as it is a 'common noun' and how you call the people who live on the 'american' continent, which is itself an adjective, not a noun. But now, again... in France, you learn french, not english. I have no idea if our most obvious grammar rules apply to USA english, australian english or nigerian english... And it should be true the other way around, too. I am currently reading a translation in US english of a japanese novel, and i noticed that people in the USA seem to use slangs even in novels... Like... 'It is a whole nother story'... I am shocked by this lack of respect of the english language by its very native speakers, to be fair. But maybe it is only me and what applies to me may only apply to me. Maybe you should consider that not everything that applies to you where your live equally applies to everyone, everywhere in the world. That is the most basic politeness i believe. CQFD Carol. Regards.

Another great video Thanks. They often help me understand what my US friends don't understand in France 🤣👍🏻🇨🇵

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that! Thx for watching!

The tampon wrapper in the bread bag was hysterical! 🤣🤣💯

I have been using electric kettles for over 50 years. I often changed my electric to new and modern styles; and everyone I know has an electric kettle. I switched from comforter to duvet, because it’s easier to spruce up the bdroom with a new cover🇨🇦

I changed over to an electric kettle after seeing the convenience of them at my dad’s house in Florida a few years ago. I use it daily now but i didn’t toss my old one. Before we got a whole home generator it was the only way to boil water on the gas stove during a power outage.

I have an electric kettle and use it all the time and I live in the us.

Bonjour et merci pour vos vidéos très instructives, également pour nous, français. J'ai bien ri à l'idée des ordures dans le sac à pain et de la tête de la personne qui les a trouvées 😅 Bonne continuation 🙋🏽‍♀️

The nasal cleaning - that is, nasal sprays like the neti pot that are only saline (water with some salt in it) - is recognized as excellent by many medical professionals in the US, and for good reason. Studies show that these sprays shorten colds and, if used at the end of the day after you’ve been in contact with people in offices, stores, etc. - help prevent upper respiratory illness. I went from repeated colds every winter to one or none, by diligently using these. A nurse once told me she recommended it to patients all the time, but most don’t listen. She told me she swears by it. So do I. These sprays work really well for people with allergies, as they help wash pollen and other airborne particles out of the nose. This is NOT nose drops or sprays that have medication in them. Those are often terrible, drying out the nose temporarily and people can actually get addicted to them. You can actually end up in worse condition from them. Saline sprays contain water, salt, and sometimes a small amount of baking soda to make them gentler on nasal passages. That’s all. Also, tip for those who have asthma: hot steam can trigger asthma in many people. Cool mist is the way to go. And avoid menthols and aromatics like eucalyptus, mint, and related herbs. No VapoRub, Tiger Balm, or similar. They can be asthma triggers. (All of this is doctor’s advice plus my own experience.)

@mellie4174

Жыл бұрын

Yes however if you go to the pharmacy in the usa with a cold, what's the first thing they offer you, a pill. Same with the doctor. Here, they're like, nah you don't need a drug, let me prescribe you a netti pot.

@dls300

Жыл бұрын

My U.S. doctor suggested a Neil sinus rinse and then she said that you should follow it up with Flonase.

@bretagnejean2410

Жыл бұрын

​@@mellie4174 if u have a flue u dont need antibiotic. Nasal spray is just for clean nose and avoid bacteria infection.

I just spent 2 weeks at a farm in the Auvergne near St Eloy les Mines. I experienced all the French cultural things you mentioned plus some. Like people stopping on the side of roads picking berries from the hedgerows. I loved the Curley snacks. A restaurant in Pionsat actually had them on the table when we sat down. My biggest issue was my horrendous North American accent. When I spoke certain words and vlllage names my friends would good naturedly tease me. The Combrailles, the foothills of the Puy de Dome are a spectacularly beautiful part of France. Only a few hours from the Loire Valley. Recommend you try a weekend there. Just a run down the A71

@judeirwin2222

Жыл бұрын

Never, never pick edible things from near a road. The reason is obvious. Pollution from exhaust. Impossible to wash off. Get right away from all roads before gathering berries, sloes, other wild fruit or mushrooms. Nuts are ok, as you remove their outer covering.

@julienserre8867

Жыл бұрын

Merci de rendre hommage à notre belle Auvergne !

As a Belgian guy, even I had never heard of a bread bag before :o I usually get my bread in a paper bag and store it in my microwave

I've owned an electric tea kettle ever since I visited London years ago. I plan to bring it with me when I move to Paris!😘🇲🇫

@Loweene_Ancalimon

Жыл бұрын

Not the same plugs, you'll be better off buying a new one.

We live in the US. My husband is a big tea drinker, so we have gone through 2 of those electric kettles in about 10 years and love it. We also have duvets instead of top sheets. Here is the trick - turn the duvet inside out and lie It on the bed (or the floor). Lay the comforter on top of the duvet and ties the ties to the comforter in each corner. Then, turn the comforter inside out and shake until everything falls into place. Makes it so much easier! There is also another method where you put the duvet on as I listed above but roll it up and then turn it to the right side. I haven't figured that out yet - but there are videos! I think my family of 3 all like the duvets because we like our feet sticking out!

@josephpadula2283

Жыл бұрын

Why do you put a computer on the duvet?

@jmb1101

Жыл бұрын

@@josephpadula2283 omg, I meant COMFORTER!

My parents always had a "bread bin" in the UK: horizontal with a roll top. I use the fridge instead. Come to think of it, some fancy shops have bread bins that look like small dustbins, so that could lead to the same problem for unwary visitors.

@legoqueen2445

2 жыл бұрын

I use the microwave. I had a cleaner who assumed we never used the microwave because it always has bread in it but we just take the bread out when we use the microwave. I have a tiny kitchen.

@johnclements6614

Жыл бұрын

The bread is better in the bread bin but it does not last as long as in the fridge.

@Imaginexall

Жыл бұрын

@@legoqueen2445 i use the oven 😁

@legoqueen2445

Жыл бұрын

@@Imaginexall lol but where do you put your baking trays?

I’m French and I absolutely love your videos. They’re always so interesting! Bisous d’Alsace 😘

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! Merci!

Great video, Diane! Here are a couple vid ideas that may be worth considering: 1) Cemeteries in France. I realize that this is a bit ghoulish, but it seems that modern cemeteries are not too commonplace in France (or W. Europe, generally). There are famous, historic cemeteries, but what does the average French family do when grandma dies? Is cremation the most preferred approach? Also, do French cemeteries function on the (20-30 yr) "rent-a-grave" approach as in Germany? I've never heard of a US cemetery where the plot wasn't acquired for perpetuity. 2) The history behind why religion seems to play no role for the vast majority of French, unlike here in the USA. I'm sure France was quite devout pre-WW1. What caused this huge social change? I'm sure your US viewership would find this interesting since it is so different than America. Keep up the good work, and greetings from northern California!

As someone who's lived on both sides of the pond, the reason the electric kettles are not so popular in the US (and the reason I think you'd be disappointed if you got one in the US) is that the electrical current is so much stronger in Europe- double: 220 vs 110. Using an electric kettle in the US is so disappointing and takes so long precisely because it's using half of the electricity.

My mom bought us both electric kettles after her first trip to France in the late 90’s. It's one of my favorite things ever. I'm on my 3rd or 4th one. My mom introduced me to the wonders of france in 2001. I can't wait to go back early next year

Trader Joe’s has their own version of “curly” peanut snacks. They are called Bamba and are 99 cents a bag 😊 My kids love them!

@Rachel-rs7jn

2 жыл бұрын

And they are originally Israeli! 😊 "Bamba" is the Israeli name.

@uliwehner

2 жыл бұрын

they are also available at ALDI, especially during "german week". Erdnuss Flips.

@mogo1952

2 жыл бұрын

You can find them also in Kosher Markets which are imported from 🇮🇱 Israel.

That's interesting because i always assumed that duvet was more of a northern European / anglo saxon thing. All my life in France i've almost only ever used comforters, but i guess duvet is more common in the northern part of the country than in the south where i'm from. I personally don't find duvet super convenient because unless it's really cold, you don't have many options to regulate the body temperature. Also i've always had both rectangular and square pillows!

@MrEricGuerin

Жыл бұрын

I love Duvets. They are Duvets for WINTER and SUMMER. Some are even sold with a double duvets set, that you can attached together for winter time. and ... making a bed with a duvet is just so easy.

@petc8504

Жыл бұрын

I had to search for what a comforter is, seems to be like a bedspread or patchwork quilt. Here in the UK I'd say elderly people might still use those, they are really pretty though.

@melaniezette886

Жыл бұрын

I confirm it's a recent use. I still use couverture et drap de dessus. In cold aéras we used édredons filled with duvet (from ducks) you kept for your life. Today's it rare and it is very expensive, most people don't want to invest for a high quality product that will survive you

Here in the South I have learnt to make Couscous just with hot water from the kettle. Ready in two minutes! :-) Duvet is only in the North, but I prefer Duvets and use them also in the South.

I love my electric kettle! I am from Canada! I used to have a stove kettle! But have had electric kettles for ever. Many nose sprays have epinephrine in them and are not a good idea. I always have a sheet under the duvet cover! Keeps the duvet cover cleaner. Love your videos!

@Godwinpounds4333

2 жыл бұрын

Hi 👋how are you doing?

@teddy7681

Жыл бұрын

In France nose sprays only contain sterile salted water, but it's good to know for when I come visiting Canada! cheers

@halliebass

Жыл бұрын

There are saline nasal sprays but also some can contain epi. You have to check the label.

@Historian212

Жыл бұрын

Plain saline nasal sprays are amazing. Changed my life. I’m in the US, have been using these for years. Not enough people here try it.

👍 Thank you for this fun video. The story about using the bread bag to put your trash in and the reaction from the family made me laugh. 🥖 For my bedding I use a down duvet with a cover, a blanket then a flat and fitted sheet. (In the summer I put away the duvet a light homemade quilt). Because I wash my sheets 1 - 2 x week I wouldn't want to wash my duvet cover that often because it would be too much work, my duvet cover has beautiful flowers on it and would fade quickly, and duvet covers are expensive here! Because of those reasons, no I wouldn't want to duvet cover next to my skin either, even though I love to curl up in it in.

And do you know these tricks that we use a lot with bread in France? If it has started to dry out and harden, no need to throw it away, you can either cook it in "French toast", letting it soak in a mixture of egg, milk and sugar before cooking, children love it , or give it a new youth by passing it quickly under the jet of water (it must be wet but not soaked) and by putting it in the oven for a few minutes, it becomes like new again!

@PhilJonesIII

Жыл бұрын

Day old baguette. Microwave them. 20 seconds is usually enough to freshen them up and bring out the moisture.

Every room needs its own trash can. Make it easy for people to dispose of their waste. Don't make them hold their rubbish while they wander around searching for the (often hidden) kitchen bin. It's especially crazy when a bathroom has no rubbish bin. Yet I've seen that situation so many times. People with no bathroom waste receptacle have clogged pipes from all the dental floss and hair that gets flushed down the toilet.

"serum physiologique" is salty water. Same salt concentration that you found in your body. So it doesn't have an osmosis effect that could irritate your soft tissue more. The saltiness help thin out the goo of a stuffed nose. Otherwise it's to wash away the allergens.

J’avais jamais entendu parlé de sac à pain même si je suis française ! Je suppose que mon entourage n’en a jamais eu alors c’est pour ça mais c’était très surprenant 😂 Je n’ai pas de bouilloire non plus !

@MrPedro9128

Жыл бұрын

c'est pourtant très répandu

As a Canadian married to a Frenchman, I can relate to most of these. The very thought of a duvet as the ONLY top covering on a bed makes my skin crawl and insist on a flat sheet in between. Square pillows will remain foreign to me for eternity. I love the bread bags, but I suspect they only are useful in France, because houses in North America are drier and make the bread inedible, whereas my sister-in-laws 14th century house retains humidity and thereby moistens the bread.

We call them doonas and doona covers here in australia. And euro pillows for the big square ones.

I never got the logic of square pillows and in France I was struggling with those. They waste so much space above the head where rectangular ones are so much more comfy.

Thank you Diane!! Love your posts !!

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@Godwinpounds4333

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Susan how are you doing?

My grandmother used to have a tin bread box where she kept her bread here in America, apparently they were quite popular at one time, probably back when people ate bread on a more regular basis. Now I suppose we just throw it in the fridge because we know most of it is going to go bad long before we use it all and want it to last as long as possible before it does.

@Imaginexall

Жыл бұрын

Noooooooooooo don't put it in the fridge it tastes awful after a while :(((((( if you have nothing, just put it under a cloth and keep it in the (power off) oven! 😎 Also for hard bread, just put a few drops of water on it, then 3 minutes in the oven 👌

@bretagnejean2410

Жыл бұрын

Search " huche a pain" on google. It.was more popular in.the past for protect the bread of mices and that allow to keep one week if bread is correctly wrapped.

Flat sheets are so much easier to deal with than duvet covers which. Sheets are easier to wash (and iron if you prefer the smooth look over the crinkled effect). I'm not a fan of anything that isn't convenient. As for electric kettles, I love the ones that bring water to specific temperatures for different teas or ways of making coffee. Wouldn't be without mine.

@Imaginexall

Жыл бұрын

Ye but it takes so loooooong to make your bed in the morning, and it's less comfortable! Duvets are a must, you put it on and bam, done. It won't move away even if you have agitated sleep. Also blankets are either ugly or too thick imi (at least in France it's mostly old ppl who use it, so it's ugly) 😁

I saw some peanut puffs in Aldi this week, in Wisconsin.

@lauraellen189

2 жыл бұрын

They have them during German food week.

The same for me, I am French, I like curlys but never been a fan of peanut butter! so yeah I think these two products might be really different overall!

FYI, electric kettles are slower in the US due to the lower voltage, not allowing to draw as much power on a regular circuit.

Electric kettles are not interesting US in because 110V and current outlet limit the power to ~1500W so the basic gas stove can bring more. In France with 230V even a 2200W kettle doesn't use the 3700W power potential of a domestic outlet! So kettle are much more faster in France so more useful :)

Thanks Diane! Some nice things to look out for on my next trip to France!

We used to use a duvet and cover; I used a flat sheet as well, because I found changing the cover a hassle. Now I find them too warm and just use a sheet and light quilt. And we saw gant de toilette in France years ago and thought they were a great idea. We brought some home, but found in our humid climate that the double thickness of fabric didn't dry after use, so they got musty smelling very quickly. We had to abandon them, unfortunately.

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that can happen. What we do is turn them inside out and put them on the bathroom radiator to dry and if it's the summer and the radiator is off, they just hang to dry and seem to do OK

@MyFocusVaries

2 жыл бұрын

@@OuiInFrance if only we had radiators! And oddly, it's during the summer that our humidity rises and the mildew is the problem. One would think the heat would dry the cloth faster and fix the problem, but it's not the case. But the wash mitts (as we've translated) make great cleaning cloths, since we wash those after every use.

@mathiasdurand3354

Жыл бұрын

You can wash them when to smelly or dirty

There are several brands of peanut butter puffs in the US. I think the most common one is Bamba, an Israeli brand (now owned by Nestlé). Trader Joe's even sells Bamba under their own label.

About inhalators, this is a very old and effective way to deal with a cold. Cold viruses do not support temperatures above 38C (around). So to steam them is very effective 😁 just an advice, if your nose is really blocked be prepared to use a lot of tissues as it helps for that too. So do not do it just before you go sleeping in this case.

I use my electric kettle to heat water for my crock pot, and for speeding up the pasta cooking process on the stove

I enjoyed this video. I also bought a tea kettle after a few visits to France. And I also think the gant de toilette is quite handy.

Have you discovered a bidet? Fantastic!

Thank you for another great video. Just returned from a month in France and I have to say that I agree with you about duvets. I find them to be too heavy and hot for me as I generally sleep hot at night (I live in California, so heat is problem.). If I move to France I'm going to have to bring my own comforter and top sheet.

Neti Pot and electric kettle are belongings I'll keep even as a minimalist once I've gotten rid of most everything else - they are basics

Les curlys c'est un piège !🥰

it's funny, because when you spoke about duvets, it took me quite a bit of time to understand what you were talking about. So, in french, "duvet" is a word, but it means sleeping downbag. For duvet, we have "couette"

Bought an electric kettle to make "pour over" coffee. What a concept!

Inhalers are rare here but i use one as i have had vocal chord issues . Brilliant.

this is so interesting & helpful. I did not know what an electric kettle until i visited Europe.

Thanks for this, Diane. I just watched this during a visit to Paris. I will definitely head out to Monoprix and look for Curly!!!

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

I hope you love them!

As brits in Florida we had to have an electric Kettle, but , because of 110v mains, they are agonisingly slow to boil. Indeed I found a kettle on the cook top boiled faster.... it has a more powerful element.

Apple cider vinegar (organic) is the best I've found for a cold. Catch it as soon as you start sneezing. 1-2 tsp in water, once or twice a day.

Don't like duvets, too warm for me, I always take it out and just use the cover, or, here in the US, just use a flat sheet unless it's really cold, then I use a light blanket too.

Btw asking "where is your trash can" is a common question in France. Usually we use informal/rhetorical questions like "t'as une poubelle ?" (Literally "do you have a trash can ?" Obviously yes). It's just shorter than asking "où est ta poubelle ?".

We have an electric pot here in the USA! But we spent years abroad in the UK and Europe so likely picked up the electric kettle habit there. 😅

What about carrying a net bag for groceries? Is that still done? They take up little space in a pocket or purse, but can hold a fair amount of groceries.

Wow, most of these I did not know. Bon boulot Diane. 👏🏾

Years ago, someone came to visit for a few weeks. My family had large dogs and bought the big bags of dog food. The visitor owned horses and used empty horse feed bags for trash. You see where this is going.

The voltage in the US is a bit weak (110v) an eletric kettle in the US takes ages to boil (still more efficient, than using a stove)

@tim1724

2 жыл бұрын

Electric kettles work just fine at 110V. They're popular in Canada which uses the same electrical standards as the US. They just never caught on in the US because not many people drink tea and everyone already has a coffee maker.

@panchomcsporran2083

2 жыл бұрын

@@tim1724 I probably only use my kettle 50% of the time for making tea, the rest of its use is in cooking(a kettle is much more efficient (and much quicker with a 230v, 3000w kettle)) I can't think of many householed items that are more essential

My granddaughter and her husband booked flights to Paris yesterday! AND they are taking me along with them and my 2 year old great granddaughter!! Paris in December.... ( His dad and a few other relatives live in Paris)

@OuiInFrance

Жыл бұрын

Have a great trip! How fun!

I'm all about the duvet. I loved them when in Europe and when I moved back it was all about IKEA linen section.

The bread bag story lol funny … c’est mignon

I find your obsession with Curly snack puffs adorable! It's like the third video I see where you're raving about them (personally I think they're OK but really nothing special).

I personally like the peanut flavoured "croustilles de Belin" even more than curly, the texture is different and it really add to the peanut taste

Duvets are very popular in the US now. It's actually had to find queen and king size comforters here now, at least in my area. Personality I used a duvet for years and hated it. No mater what tips and tricks you try, putting it together after washing is a pain, you have to constantly readjust it to keep it aligned, and just by its nature it's never fitted perfectly. So I went back to a comforter and have never been happier with my bed.

@ItsAWonderfulKnife

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelTheophilus906 Thanks for weighing in, hoss.

@sallypenhalli

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelTheophilus906 I don't know what a comforter is?

@ruthlloyd1163

2 жыл бұрын

@@sallypenhalli its basically like the insert in a fiber filled duvet. Usually its longer and wider, patterned materials are used and it’s lightly quilted. Often it comes with matching pillow covers (shams).

I just bought an electric kettle. I can confirm it's super handy.

I was listening to a radio segment about allergies and they mentioned the peanut puffs as a way to introduce peanuts to children as soon as they can eat whole foods to reduce allergies. I have had some in the states. I think they were Japanese. I’m really surprised Cheetos have not jumped all over the idea. I think they are made by Frito Lay.

I love my electric kettle & have had it for years!!!

The usual nasal sprays consist mainly of salt water. If your nose is blocked not mainly due to inflammatory response but mainly because of obstructing snot that is solid enough to hang on there, spraying it with a good amount of salt water will disolve it in minutes and you will then be able to blow your nose clean of it. Some other sprays have an anti-inflammatory effect that is useful when your nose is obstructed because of swollen tissue. They can reliably be used to reduce the swelling if you have cleaned the snot from your nose beforehand with a water spray, and let air pass through even more. They can be made up of many ingredients, mainly vasoconstricting ingredients, plant-based or synthetic, that reduce the blood flow in the inner tissues of your nose, effectively reducing their size so you can finally breathe. Both of these practices are very effective, especially when combined, to give you relief when your nose is just completely blocked. Which is something I can relate to when I'm sick, sometimes air just doesn't flow at all, my nose can seal itself completely!

I live in Canada and have never seen a Curly! They sound great. I am also all for the toilet glove (lol) too!

I found the gants de toilette really clever. I also liked those flat mint lozenges that contain an antibiotic and a pain killer. Whenever I had a sore throat i would pick up a box of them at the pharmacie. After moving back to Canada I asked for them in a pharmacy and the pharmacist was horrified to think that such a thing existed. Oh well ... But I do not miss being jolted awake by putting my feet on the chilly brick tile floor of my bedroom in Toulouse.

@deedrarichmond4748

2 жыл бұрын

I love those mint lozenges also! Why can't we have something similar in the US? So much better on your tummy than Halls. I searched and found no sources :(

@lovepilie

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Bill! I am not quite sure about this, because no antibiotic is available over the counter in France without prescription? Maybe it was anti microbial drops associated with pain killer? Given the shape, I believe it could be Solutricine.

@GenealogistBuchanan

2 жыл бұрын

@@lovepilie That is probably it. It was close to 60 years ago, and I may not remember the details correctly, but those lozenges were perfect for a sore throat.

@nathanangelus

2 жыл бұрын

Bill, I don't think these contained any antibiotics, you can't have antibiotics here without prescription. But I think they were antiseptic + pain killer. Very common here indeed. But I do understand your pharmacist's reaction if you told him about antibiotic lozenges instead of antiseptic ones... 🤣🤣🤣

@lovepilie

2 жыл бұрын

@@GenealogistBuchanan then it is solutricine for sure! The shape is quite uncommon and it was very popular way before 2000.

Thank you for the video!

@OuiInFrance

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

I knew electric kettle would be #1. I never thought I'd get one either.

I use my electric kettle every day. I wish I bought one years ago. Also, I do use a neti pot especially during allergy season here in Central Florida.

@lilbatz

2 жыл бұрын

I live in Michigan. The allergens are off the chain this year. The rinses are the only relief I get without an antihistamines hang over.

@nathanangelus

2 жыл бұрын

Well, I do understand better why in US movies or TV Shows, characters always use that whistling kettle... I've always thought it was weird because in France we have not been using these kind of kettles for the last 25 years... 😄 And if you don't have an electric kettle available, here you would use a simple pan now...

@dougbrowning82

Жыл бұрын

@@nathanangelus In America, electric kettles run on 120V, so they take considerably longer to boil than the 230V kettles in Europe.

As an American, I’ve used an electric kettle, but I also use a French press for coffee and Yerba Mate. They’re handy, but not common here. Nasal sprays *used* to be more popular back in the US, but the “liquid lady” drove them out of style.

I leaved France for Germany in 1989 and only in Germany I learnt to accomodate with duvets in bed 😃 In France, in those years, I didn't know anybody with duvets as bedding 😃

Electric kettle is use through all Europe, most of the staff you are talking about are just every where in Europe except the bread bags .

I've had an electric kettle for decades (I'm American living in America). It's great for instant oatmeal, tea, hot chocolate, etc. I'm not a big tea drinker, just when it's cold out, but an electric kettle is so much better than using the stove. Love it. I use nasal spray for allergies at times. I can't use a neti pot though, gives me an ear infection every time for some reason. I think my tracks are a little deformed or something. I do use a steamer though and that helps. I've had a few duvets, but they aren't my preference. I have a square pillow on the bed, but it's decorative. I don't sleep on it generally. I don't use washcloths, just my hands. Cloth just gets mildew and I can't with that.

@AndreUtrecht

Жыл бұрын

You wash the wash cloths after every single use...

@imscanon

Жыл бұрын

@@AndreUtrecht Seems like a lot of unnecessary laundry and wet cloth in the hamper.

@AndreUtrecht

Жыл бұрын

@@imscanon 😀 well that can be said of many other things we use in daily live.

@katescarratt4267

Жыл бұрын

Hang the cloth somewhere to dry, and regularly throw it in with your towel wash, and it won't get mildewed or slimy, any more than your towels do.

Interesting videos and I much appreciate the non-dogmatic approach

IIRC, kettles aren't that efficient in the US due to lower electric power on the grid. So it's about the same time to just boil it on hotplates.

Ahh, that wasn't even the first time I'd heard your bread-bag story, yet I was still mortified right along with you as you were telling it. 😄