Is France Overrated? A Brushing on Netflix's "Emily in Paris"

I recently studied abroad in France--well a little more than half a year already since I returned from France. To be honest, I'm still on a high from studying abroad. I loved it there. I grew up there--matured, and cherish so many wonderful memories from then still today. I learned so much about France. I improved in speaking and hearing. I developed some French cultural quirks--I admit to reverse culture shock when I returned to the US.

I admit to loving listening to French music, eating French food, French art and architecture. I do admit to taking inspiration from the "so-called"French fashion for my own style.

Yet, after watching Emily in Paris on Netflix--my eyes just suddenly opened and I fully became aware of this French craze that the world is having. I mean--I do admit--I rather enjoyed the show--it brought back memories of my times in Paris but the cliché and stereotypes. The world just talks too much about France. I may sound like a hypocrite since I chose to study abroad in France in the first place because of my interest and love for the culture. Still, the world--magasins and shows--the majority talk about this "French-ness"--their style, food, culture, going to Paris....the list goes on--even the most viewed and popular videos on YouTube talk about France. Is that the only way to grab someone's attention?

During my time in France, I met so many people from around the world. As a result, I developed an interest for their culture, for their country and for their situations. I realised how important it is to view the world as a whole--not exclude certain countries for the sake of the popular and the fun.

Yes, the French have their magic, their food is genuinely well-made that they do deserve the recognition that they hold to this day. I just so tired of hearing French-this, French-that--French men--ooh how flirtatious and how so many can attract or be attracted to you. Oh French chic--French couture..... There are many other interesting things other cultures hold as well! Look at Indian food, Swiss cheese, Arabic or "Oriental" mosaics. Jewish and gypsy weddings, White Texan Muslims??? The Thai's fight for freedom, the predominantly Scandinavian system of Free Health care and paid-for education--Irish immigration history--the fight for women's rights, the influence of the Colombian beat in modern music, the Chinese cult of immortality and the fight for pro-choice in conservative countries--the beauty of Spanish architecture of Gaudi--Italian coasts and the fight for Climate Change all over the world. There are so many interesting things to hear and learn about in the world!!

What about France's health care system, immigration and refugee situation. What about Normandy (not just about D-Day), the Pays-Basques, Lyon the food capital!, the small medieval towns and writer's maisons of France? What about looking at why France is one of Europe's least bilingual or English-speaking countries considering their distance from England.

Don't just look at that Parisian side of France. Look at their problems--their social issues--they may relate to you or be even more 3-dimensional and interesting to you than you think.

Yes, it is good and fun to take inspiration from French culture--any other if you please--I do that. But there is a fine line between admiring and taking some inspiration from a culture versus making your entire life and interest about them!

Let the other's shine for goodness sake!