What I Learned in Europe: Surprisingly Not Shocking!

Hello, Lafrance barbs! I have been away for 3 months straight, and believe me, it had nothing to do with not wanting to blog. I have been working with a company, and they send a group of tailors and me overseas to fit and dress crews aboard brand new ships. Dream Job, right? Yes, it is!

Apart from dealing with my own life, I embarked on this new adventure rather drastically since much of it was so unpredictable. You never know if your flight will be canceled or if the buyer/client we’re going to see is requesting the team to stay longer; nothing is ever secured when it comes to those contracts. But one thing is for sure, you are paid to go work, you are fed and have a roof over your head at the same expense. What else can you ask for?

I know it takes me away from my original goal, which you all are aware of. It is to design for my clothing brand Laura Lafrance and continue the launch of House of Lafrance Magazines. Still, these trips to Europe have been quite an eye-opener. Sometimes going away helps put things into perspective of who is around and with you and who is not. Nonetheless, I have gathered all my lessons and decided to clarify some of the misconceptions and truths I had before my trip here on the blog and hope they can be as pivotal for you as they were for me.

Europeans don’t necessarily hate Americans.

I know you’ve heard this from many who’ve experienced a thing or two abroad. But it doesn’t hold true all across the board. Sometimes we carry our own mental and social barriers and build a wall up so high that we can come across as rude and obnoxious. Yea, I said it, pre-conceived notions and stereotypes will hinder a great experience if you’re unwilling to learn about other cultures. I, for one, did not have the feeling that I was not welcomed. Everyone was polite and professional, friendly and down to earth. It starts with you ultimately. What is the energy you convey?

Europeans smoked like dragons!

Every corner has someone puffing. From teens all the way up to so-called aristocrats. They all smoke. I had to dig up the cancer rate just to understand if we, Americans, have it better or are on the same boat. According to the World Cancer Research, Denmark tops all countries with 338 people per 100,000 being diagnosed back in 2012 for both men and women together. Americans are not too far behind with the standardized age rate at 298 per 100,000 for women alone. French hold the records for the most reported cancer diagnosis back in 2012 (1). After witnessing so many fumes being inhaled, I can help but wonder why the government officials of these countries (and our own) are not stepping in to help? (The nurse in me still kicks in) But we can always wonder, right…

The organic lifestyle is unbeatable.

In the last decades, Americans are now catching up to this new lifestyle as a trend. In Europe, it’s a lifestyle with Germany leading the way, with 67% of its consumers reporting they only purchased organic items (2). While in Italy, I experienced that lifestyle firsthand with the difference in color and shape for all fruits and vegetables. The oranges are blood red (not cantaloupe, which also is red), and the vegetables are not as swollen as Americans own are. Organic to them does not mean plump, fake colors and preserved skins. It’s all in the taste. My skin was neat, and my digestive system sang alleluia all the way to the restroom. I embraced it and now am carrying it with me back to the states.

Americans are more rooted in racism.

Because of our history, we as Americans carry a deep sense of racism, which is often due to prolonged misinformation we’ve been taught and ignorance we pass along. Over in Europe, racism is not so apparent, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. The older generation may carry some of the histories with them and pass them along to their offsprings. Still, all in all, I did not feel discriminated against or race shamed in any way. The cops are not killing black folks in Europe just because there isn’t as much segregation. I say as much because the old say holds true “Qui se ressemble s’assemble!” People with the same background will hang together; however, seeing a mixed-race holding hand and engaging in public affection is no surprise. For them, it’s normal. For us, it’s questionable. I am still trying to make sense of the land that I chose to renounce my citizenship for. Its history is full of hatred, and it is sad to see us fall under the spell of the same demons that haunted us for so long.