The popular TV show “Emily in Paris” has captivated audiences with its romantic portrayal of the City of Light, sparking countless daydreams of sipping café au lait at a charming sidewalk bistro or strolling along the Seine. While the show may provide a whimsical and idealized version of expat life in Paris, I’m here to share my real-life experiences during the three months I spent living and working in the French capital at the behest of my former corporation.
To be clear, my time in Paris was undoubtedly one of the most incredible adventures of my life. In fact, I believe those unforgettable months alone justified my decision to enter the corporate world for a few years. However, my experiences as an expat in the city were not without their fair share of challenges and surprises, offering a more nuanced perspective than what we see on TV.
Experiencing Paris as an Expat: Does “Emily in Paris” Reflect Reality?
The Netflix series “Emily in Paris” has received its fair share of both criticism and praise. Some viewers, particularly the French, take issue with its portrayal of Parisian life, while others enjoy the show’s lighthearted, visually appealing nature. The series follows a young American named Emily who moves to Paris for a year to bring her social media expertise to a French marketing agency. Armed with her rapidly growing Instagram account, she captures the city’s picturesque locations with seemingly effortless ease. Despite the show’s sugar-coated, stereotype-laden depiction of Paris, it has attracted a large and devoted audience.
The success of “Emily in Paris” can largely be attributed to its escapist charm. In a world where we often crave easy, feel-good entertainment, the series offers a refreshing respite from more serious, heavy-hitting content. While Emily’s character can be somewhat grating, the show’s saccharine quality evokes memories of my own magical three months in Paris. Although I initially struggled to adapt to life in the city, its many delights soon won me over. Despite living only 120 km away in Amiens for a year and a half, it was during my three-month stay in Paris that I truly fell in love with the city and even considered relocating there permanently.
The Authenticity of Expats Living in Paris
So, how does “Emily in Paris” relate to my own experience? Naturally, almost everything in the show is exaggerated for entertainment purposes. I won’t delve into the plausibility of Brigitte Macron reposting a photo of an unknown girl or the ease of short-circuiting an entire building. However, there were many moments when cultural references in the show struck a chord with me, prompting an internal exclamation of, “Oh! Exactly! I experienced that too!” Perhaps viewing these situations from an outsider’s perspective amplifies their intensity.
On my first day at work in Paris, I wasn’t greeted with kisses on both cheeks, a common French custom. However, after a few weeks, this practice became a daily occurrence. I worked closely with three managers, the youngest of whom was over 40. They eventually realized that this custom made me somewhat uncomfortable, but it seemed as though they quickly forgot. Over time, I adjusted to the practice, understanding that it was a normal part of French culture.
The French are often perceived as somewhat closed-off to foreigners. I wasn’t surprised by Emily’s cold supervisor, who consistently makes her life difficult and emphasizes that they will never be friends. I had a similar experience. On my first Friday in Paris, I was given the task of entering 100 invoices by Monday at 5 pm. Of course, this deadline was unrealistic, which I soon discovered. However, I completed the task, sacrificing my entire evening. As a result, the attitude towards me in the office gradually improved. When I eventually left, my colleagues surprised me with a farewell party, complete with homemade cakes and a variety of wines. To this day, the memory brings a tear to my eye. A statement I had heard years earlier from my boss in Amiens (where I lived before) rang true: “It is difficult to get into the heart and home of a French person, but once you do, no door will remain closed to you.” This sentiment couldn’t be more accurate.
Is It That Easy to Make Friends in Paris for Expats
The capital of France is bustling with opportunities for expats living in the city to make new friends and build connections. With a myriad of events catering to various interests, meeting like-minded individuals becomes significantly easier. Platforms like Meetup further facilitate the process, connecting people in Paris based on shared hobbies and interests.
Many expats in Paris are also seeking to form new friendships. Given this context, it’s not surprising for me that Emily swiftly befriends a girl she meets in the park and her neighbor. During my time in Paris, I met numerous people and participated in several organized outings, such as the Versailles light show and an exhibition featuring photographs of old Paris. These experiences not only enriched my stay but also helped me establish a solid network of friends in the city. I’ve met way more people there in 3 months than I’ve acknowledged during my 1 year and a half when I used to live in Amiens.
Surviving in Paris Without Speaking French – Challenging but Possible
Although I speak French, unlike Emily, I often encountered unpleasant comments related to my language skills. I received criticism for my accent, misunderstandings, or not responding quickly enough. One encounter with a rude bakery employee dampened my spirits for a while. In contrast, during my time in Portugal, uttering even a single word in Portuguese would elicit a broad smile. In Paris, expectations are higher – you are expected to speak French flawlessly, without an accent (even accents from other French regions can be frowned upon), and be familiar with colloquial expressions.
Conversely, the Parisians aren’t particularly fluent in English. The show features only one character who refuses to speak to Emily because she doesn’t speak English. This portrayal is far from reality. In an international corporation’s office, only three out of 50 people communicated in English, and even then, only when absolutely necessary.
The Unrealistic High Standard of Living in “Emily in Paris”
One aspect of “Emily in Paris” that may raise eyebrows is her seemingly unattainable standard of living, especially for a young expat in a new city. Emily resides in a charming and spacious apartment, sports expensive designer clothes, and frequently dines at upscale restaurants. This portrayal is, for the most part, unrealistic for someone in her position.
In reality, Paris is known for its high cost of living, and most young professionals, particularly expats, often find themselves in small, modest apartments, prioritizing budget-conscious choices to accommodate their finances. The show’s depiction of Emily’s extravagant lifestyle can be misleading for those considering a move to Paris, as it does not accurately represent the financial constraints and sacrifices many expats face when adjusting to life in the French capital.
While in Paris, I was in such a comfortable situation that it was my company that paid for my stay in this one of the most expensive cities in the world. And
The Appeal of “Emily in Paris” and Its Connection to Real-Life Experiences of a Foreigner
The success of “Emily in Paris” can largely be attributed to its escapist charm. In a world where we often crave easy, feel-good entertainment, the series offers a refreshing respite from more serious, heavy-hitting content. While Emily’s character can be somewhat grating, the show’s saccharine quality evokes memories of my own magical three months in Paris. Although I initially struggled to adapt to life in the city, its many delights soon won me over.
Despite living only 120 km away in Amiens for a year and a half, it was during my three-month stay in Paris that I truly fell in love with the city and even considered relocating there permanently.
So… Do I recommend working in France? If you have time and resources – it’s totally worth it. If you choose relocating to Paris, you might get to know (and feel!) the city of love way better than while just visiting. Paris has a lot to offer, but also has its flaws.
It is dirty, it can be dangerous (although nothing unpleasant ever happened to me, even when I was going alone in the metro to my hotel in the suburbs), it might be overwhelming.
But I believe it has something. Something I didn’t see while I was spending there just a couple of days, from time to time. Maybe it’s not always as glamorous as in the popular TV series, but it can become your second home, especially if you’re in your twenties.