Yes, I grew up in France. My mother is American so that’s how I’m American also.

I support an alternative to English but I don’t believe in legislating what people speak. Regardless of what the Academy says, English is used in France all the time. Globalization is causing pains for the French more than it is for America. In Paris, it’s actually cool (not snobbish) to throw some English words in when speaking French – just like it’s a status thing (but snobbish) to use French words in English.

My view is that American pop culture, lifestyle and economic model are the best way for America to extend its influence. Try as they may to resist, the French are becoming more American everyday. The youth eat at Mc Donald’s, drink Coca Cola, and listen to American music and copy American fashion. New York urban fashion is now much more significant than French Haute Couture. I see that every time I go to France.

Sad at it is, local culture is loosing out to globalization. Globalization is relentless and cannot be stopped; so we need to find a way to make the best of it. Actually, despite cultural differences, people everywhere are really all the same. We all want to have peaceful rewarding lives. I say that from experience because I grew up in many countries (dad was traveling) and I’ve been to many places on my own also.