This month our Feature Country is France!  A simply beautiful country, France has the most romantic city in the world, Paris, and offers au pairs who are highly desirable among sophisticated host families.  

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Potential Strengths of the French Au Pair

• French au pairs may drive fairly well.  Make sure you ask if her family has a car that she practiced with.
• Some French girls are conservative and come from strict Catholic families.  They will not party and drink and go out with men. 

Potential Weaknesses of the French Au Pair

• Oral skills in English may be weak due to the focus on written language in elementary school.  Their accent may be very thick.
• Many French au pairs smoke.  Most au pairs who smoke will not tell you that they do; others will tell you they are in the process of quitting or will quit.  Be prepared for your French au pair to struggle with this habit while she is in your home.
• Let's face it - the typical American meal is usually full of starches, a salad from a bag and chicken, served several times a week.  French au pairs eat well at home and they may refuse your meals unless you are a good cook.  Don't expect her to eat the meals Americans usually serve their children: macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, pasta with butter, peanut butter sandwiches on white bread, etc.  French au pairs complain loudly about our food - our bread, meat, cheeses and salads are all considered second rate compared to French food.

To read all the pros and cons of hosting a French au pair (and about this wonderful and complex country), see our new featured article, France! Land of Vin, Fromage and Amour!