Five things they don’t tell you about supermarkets in france

A LIGHTHEARTED LOOK AT GROCERY SHOPPING AT THE SUPERMARCHÉ 1. _LA SAISON_ Seasonal items include pillows, duvets and bed linen, which appear without fail every spring. The reason for this is

unclear. Sauerkraut is also seasonal, being considered more sweet and tender at the end of August than at other times of the year. Yes, _la choucroute nouvelle_ exists. _Naturellement._

READ MORE: ‘MY VIDEOS HELP PEOPLE FIND THE BEST DEALS IN FRENCH DISCOUNT SHOPS’ 2. _LA CAISSIÈRE_ The cashier is there to scan your shopping and take your payment. They might smile, they

might even exchange a few light-hearted remarks, but unless they are operating a _blabla caisse_ (slower check-out where chit-chat is encouraged) do not expect social interaction as a matter

of course. _Et alors?_ READ MORE: FRENCH SUPERMARKET TILLS WHERE CHIT-CHAT IS WELCOME GROW IN POPULARITY 3. _LES RESPONSABLES_ Each counter has specialised staff. Asking someone behind the

butchery counter to slice your bread will not work. You need to go to the customer service desk and ask them to call the _responsable_ of the boulangerie who has undergone training to

operate the slicer. _Je vous en prie!_ 4. _LE CHOIX_ Exotic foreign foods, such as baked beans and ginger nuts, have become widely available in French supermarkets but are segregated from

‘proper’ French foods. Do not look for marmalade on the shelf beside normal orange jam – you will find it on the international shelf alongside the Mexican taco kits. _C’est logique!_ READ

MORE: SUGGESTIONS FOR FRENCH ALTERNATIVES TO POPULAR BRITISH FOOD 5. _LES COMMANDES_ Either in person or by phone, you can order items in advance, such as six sliced loaves, a birthday cake,

or a deboned and rolled leg of lamb for Easter. You can even reserve a large baker’s sack of leftover dry bread (only €5) to feed to your sheep. _A bientôt!_ RELATED ARTICLES FIVE THINGS

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