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In episode 15, Mimi and Suzy break down the anatomy of a French party—from the germ-spreading ritual of la bise to the predictable flow of punch, wine, and classic apéro snacks. They compare regional quirks like Brittany’s surprising “party soup,” try to find out exactly what parts of the pig are in andouille sausage, and run through the typical late dinner, bad music rotation, chain-smoking corners, and obligatory nostalgia stories. Alongside tales of crashed parties, tame “sex-toy” themes, and cover bands killing the vibe, they also touch on Picard culture, Halloween’s slow rise in France, and the near-guarantee of getting sick after any gathering. The episode ends with a question to listeners: would a French party be your cup of soup?

Keywords

French parties, la bise, germs, fist bump, apéro snacks, crunchy peanuts, saucisson, andouille, party soup, Brittany, late dinners, bad music, Gypsy Kings, ’80s hits, Beyoncé, chain smoking, nostalgia, blind quiz, pétanque, photo slideshows, Picard, Halloween in France, party culture, metro germs.

Chapters

00:00 – Sick Season & The Curse of La Bise
02:00 – Party Rules: Punch, Wine, and Apéro Snacks
06:30 – Andouille Debate: What Actually Is it?
09:30 – Brittany’s Surprise: The Mystery Party Soup
12:00 – Late Dinners, Bad Playlists & Beyoncé Rescues
15:00 – Chain Smoking & Childhood Nostalgia Hour
18:00 – Party Animations: Blind Quizzes, Slideshows, Pétanque
21:00 – Crashing the Cardboard-Box Birthday
24:30 – The Tame “Sex Toy” Party
28:00 – Picard, Costumes & Halloween in France
33:00 – Live Music Hijacks: The Host’s Cover Band
37:00 – Is Getting Sick Worth It?
38:30 – Would You Enjoy a French Party?

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In episode 14, Mimi and Suzy dive into the French world of supermarkets—from neighborhood Monoprix and walkable Super U to mega-sized Leclerc, produce paradise Grand Frais, and frozen-only cult favorite Picard. They compare U.S. variety with France’s strict seasonality and origin labeling, swap horror stories about the mustard and butter shortages, and get practical about scoring a good €6–€8 bottle. Picard gets a full love letter, and the episode wraps with souvenir do’s and don’ts.

Keywords

French supermarkets, Monoprix, Super U, Leclerc, Grand Frais, Picard, frozen food, produce seasonality, origin labeling, mustard shortage, butter shortage, Amora, Maille, cornichons, wine tips, wine medals, champagne, customs limits, how to ship butter internationally, butter, honey, local producers, groceries.

Chapters

00:00 – Supermarket Stories
02:00 – Monoprix, Super U & Leclerc Compared
05:00 – Suzy's Ode to Picard
10:00 – Mustard and Butter Shortages
14:00 – Wine Aisles and Missing Imports
20:00 – Seasonal Produce & Label Laws
25:00 – The Honey Monopoly Exposed
27:00 – Best Souvenirs to Bring Back

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In episode 13, Mimi and Suzy explore what it’s really like to date French men, from first dates and slow-to-arrive kisses to relationships that seem to form without discussion. They unpack the cultural differences around exclusivity, commitment, and the lack of a “define the relationship” talk, while also diving into the phenomenon of love bombing and how to recognize red and green flags early on. With Mimi’s perspective as someone married to a Frenchman and Suzy’s experience dating in France today, they compare etiquette around splitting the bill, expectations of romance, and why French men may be stylish and expressive but less inclined toward machismo. The discussion also looks at dating apps, presentation and grooming, and the subtle cultural cues that shape relationships across borders.

Keywords

Dating in France, French men, French dating culture, love bombing, monogramy, commitment, first-date etiquette, splitting the bill, intercultural relationships, French kissing, dating apps in France (Hinge, Fruitz, Bumble, OkCupid, AdopteUnMec, Tinder), cultural differences, red flags, green flags, communication styles, expat life in France, French masculinity, French fashion, relationship dynamics, dating abroad.

Chapters

00:01 — La Rentrée Stress
01:08 — Dating French Men
07:12 — Exclusivity and Commitment
09:06 — Love Bombing and Red Flags
19:41 — Machismo, Romance, and Style
28:24 — Dating Apps in France
35:00 — First-Date Etiquette
40:36 — Final Thoughts