It’s often said that there’s nothing like fully immersing yourself in a culture to learn all its secrets. Although, as a 20-year-old French woman, I was already delighted with all the countries I had discovered, none of them had really opened their doors to me. Convinced of the truth of the saying, “You only have one life: that’s why you have to try everything”, I decided to go and work in Australia for several months.
Elyne Le Faou in Melbourne. When I arrived, my choice to work as a waitress was not insignificant: the world of hospitality is a true reflection of society, immersing you in the local culture, tradition and codes, and introducing you to a diverse range of people. Working in this industry enabled me to observe the many ways in which Australia and France differ in terms of social norms.
One difference in particular caught my attention: men’s behaviour towards women. Many people associate France with its image of elegance and sophistication. However, France has changed.
Now, women regularly experience harassment and insults in the street; it’s hard to feel completely at ease there when you’re a woman. Although this behaviour can be attributed to a minority of men, it does create a mistrust of men in general, as is often the case for women’s experiences with men. Loading With this experience of everyday interactions in France in the back of my mind, my first steps in Australia were, to say the least, surprising.
The advantage of being a young woma.
