A recent survey has revealed a surprising truth about the British: they secretly admire the French. The study, conducted among 2,000 individuals, found that Brits are envious of the French lifestyle, particularly their superior cuisine, fashion sense, and impressive work-life balance.
Astonishingly, four in ten Brits even claim to ‘idolise’ the French way of life, with 66% wishing to incorporate certain aspects into their own lives. This admiration extends to specific areas, with 43% expressing a desire to share the same passion for fashion as the French, and 39% admiring their perfect work-life balance.
The study delves deeper into the reasons behind this admiration. Many Brits admire the French approach to work, such as leaving work at their contracted time and taking action when their needs aren’t met. A spokesperson for St Pierre, who commissioned the study as part of its ‘eat avec respect’ campaign, stated: “The French lifestyle is often admired and romanticised worldwide and for good reason. It can be characterised by a balance between work, leisure, and enjoying the finer things in life – something we don’t always get right here in the UK. When it comes to food, meals are often a time to savour and enjoy, rather than to rush, and the French take pride in what they eat, right down to the presentation.”
The allure of the French lifestyle is so strong that 32% of those surveyed have even considered relocating to France. They describe the French lifestyle as ‘stylish’ (48%), ‘relaxed’ (41%), and ‘balanced’ (36%).
Three in ten Brits believe that the world would be a happier place if everyone adopted some aspects of French living. 27% of respondents have already been influenced by their French friends or acquaintances, making changes to their daily lives such as adopting fresher ingredients, embracing leisure time, and appreciating their surroundings. Despite these positive changes, Brits still aspire to embrace other aspects of the French lifestyle, such as avoiding processed foods, making time for hobbies and interests, and being more romantic.
The survey also uncovered interesting insights into how Brits perceive French and British food cultures. 43% believe that the French show more respect towards food and mealtimes than Brits. The average UK adult spends only 47 minutes on breakfast, lunch, and dinner combined, while 24% feel that taking time for a nice lunch during work would boost their mood. Despite the emphasis on fresh, homemade meals in the French lifestyle, only 26% of Brits cook their evening meals from scratch more than three times a week, citing lack of time, skill, or desire as the main reasons.
While the study highlights some key differences between British and French eating habits, it also acknowledges that food is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries. The spokesperson for St Pierre concludes: “While both British and French eating habits have their unique characteristics, they also reflect broader cultural values. The British tend to value hearty, comforting meals, whereas the French place a high value on culinary tradition, quality ingredients, and the social aspect of dining. However, regardless of culture, food is a great leveller as it’s more than just food on a plate – it’s shared experience and memory-making which unites us all across diverse influences and ever-changing culinary trends.”
The survey results reveal that the French way of life holds a special appeal for Brits, inspiring them to re-evaluate their own lifestyles and embrace a more relaxed and fulfilling approach to life.
