…then drift back to work after your 3-hour lunch. I’ve travelled a lot and to me the French (especially provincial France) have the best work-life balance. When 12.30pm comes around most down tools, pull out their 3-6 course lunch (with a glass of wine), gather together to converse, laugh, digest, talk politics and then when ready head back to work.

Lesson 2: STYLE

If you are going to do something, do it with style (Ambience, atmosphere and presentation). The French (and Italians) know how to present. Its not just about their fashions, its about food, its about how they put together what needs to be put together. The result is that your senses are more engaged.

Lesson 3: OPINIONS

Having the last say is not always a winner. Susan and I caught the train to St Rafael (part of the French Riviera). Accommodation was booked – I chose a place close to the station. As I didn’t have SatNav, I had to ask people for directions. Few spoke English (or chose not to speak English – after all I could have been a pommie!). Firstly, I asked a woman who pointed in a certain direction – it was clear after walking a bit – she had no idea – but wanted to give us a solution, even though she wasn’t confident. The next person pointed to where we just came from. He was so confident, he said he would give us a lift – which we accepted. He dropped us miles from where we were meant to go. But he did deliver us somewhere! The French always love to give an opinion and want to have the last say.

Lesson 4: FAMILY

Our goal in travelling to France was not to travel but to live the ‘village life’. That was a great move. The village is like one big family. The people are very communal – they share the hard yards and the good times together. Nothing beats it.

Lesson 5: RULES? WHAT RULES?

When there are no rules (or no consequences for breaking them)– the people will create their own. The French seem to have a disregard for bureaucracy and whenever they have the chance feel OK about pushing the boundaries. Why park in a parking area when you can pull up on the curb?  Why stop at a red light when it’s clearly safe to go?

Lesson 6: THE SMELL OF NOT SERVING OTHERS

Lose the sense of serving others – the world begins to rot. It’s clear wherever we went in France; there is a lack of public toilets. Or if there is one, you have to pay – so guess what? Voila – the French toilet. You relieve yourself, when you see fit and nature calls. Even in high-class places like Cannes, you see guys (not so the women, they have a little more dignity than the blokes!). The result is a very smelly environment. Serving others (in this case, supply the toilets, the place is clean, the memories are more pleasant!)

Living in a French village for the last couple of months has shown me how differently we all communicate and how uncomfortable it is to deal with people who just don’t get what we are trying to convey.

Try walking into the local pub in our small village in Southern France like I did today.