The dating topic is probably one of the most interesting ones when you are an expat. We all know that the realities of dating abroad are more difficult than they might seem, and on top of that the COVID-19 situation does not help. So, if you are fully experiencing these right now, this article is for you!
In this first article we will talk about the 1st type: An expat moving abroad single and alone. This one is probably one of the most common cases!
To date or not to date, that’s the question!
You are having fun and you love your new adopted city, your friends, your work, and your lifestyle. But, at the same time, you see your friends back home getting engaged, moving together, having kids, while you just picture yourself at the bar with a bunch of friends sipping your 3rd Margarita. (ok that was before COVID but it works as well with your friends at home) 😉 You are now facing the loneliness feeling as you start wondering about your situation. And it’s a NORMAL feeling, don’t worry!
So you might start using some dating apps such as Bumble, Tinder, Hinge.. or by coming to our networking events Apéros Frenchies hoping to have a crush on someone! (Yes we know!)
And it happens! Sometimes it comes fast, sometimes it takes time. But the struggle goes on when this person is from another country especially.. your crush doesn’t have the same “dating language” as you… and C’est la catastrophe!
Perhaps, we learn at school how to speak another foreign language but we don’t’ learn how to speak another foreign heart language! And especially this lockdown situation pretty much everywhere, it doesn’t make things easier, since restaurants and bars are closed!
“How does it work? Do we have to meet for dinner or an ice cream? Do we have to play it fancy or cool? Should we invite them to our place?“
Bref, so many questions that nobody really knows how to answer but that we all ask ourselves before even trying out the relationship!
After a few texts you will more or less understand what your crush is feeling! She/He wants to meet you at her/his place but you don’t feel confident enough, just say it and offer him/her to grab a take away coffee downtown.
Another situation: you feel like inviting him/ her to your place and this other person sounds up for it. Parfait! As a french person I would obviously advise to have some good wine in your cellar/fridge 😉 But also.. to prepare a casual nice dinner sans pretention. In case the date goes well! For example, try HelloFresh :You pick in advance which menu you want to receive depending on what you like .. and they deliver all the ingredients + recipe at your place! It’s perfect when you are in a rush or if there is a curfew! 😉
If you are freaking out to meet with this person alone, and you prefer to be in your comfort zone with friends, what about inviting this person for some drinks in a park with your friends, or do some hiking somewhere with them too? Honestly possibilities are limited right now but there are still some! If it goes well, you‘ll feel safer and better to meet in person the next time, plus you may get your friends’ approval (which is not THE most important, but still, it matters!) If it goes wrong, it would be just a funny memory you’ll talk about with your friends in the future! 😉
In conclusion, follow your instinct, go with the flow and don’t pretend to be someone you are not just because you’re afraid they don’t like you. One day they will figure it out anyway! Good luck!
The expat blues are probably at the epicenter of peoples worries when moving abroad. However, at least in our opinion, this is still seen as a taboo that nobody really wants to bring up. As usual, Apéros Frenchies has your back! today, I decided to share some top tips with you guys based on my experience regarding this incredible but also not easy journey of being an expat. Hopefully these tips to handles those expat blues will help you to get through this difficult time!
We often move to a new country by ourselves and most often for a job opportunity. We say goodbye to our family, our friends and we jump into a new adventure not knowing exactly how long it will last. But keep in mind that this is an exciting feeling and that’s the reason why we are doing it after all, embrace the adventure and keep in mind that expat blues is part of the journey!
1 – Open your heart to a new relationship
Have you ever noticed that people are usually more open minded in your new adopted country than back home? The expat syndrome is contagious!
When we live abroad, we usually leave everyone behind and start a new life. We don’t have our family, our best mates or ex classmates to hang out with anymore. It’s hard to socialise and make real connections. So, if you don’t take this opportunity to open your heart to unknown people, you can possibly end up by yourself at home feeling this expat blues. (And this is probably not what you are looking for! 😉
Why not go for some drinks with your colleagues afterwork and take this opportunity to build relationships. You can break the ice by asking some simple questions such as if they already lived abroad or moved to another city. It helps to break the ice and maybe you will find some common points to chat about. The main thing is that you put yourself out there and make an effort, trust me, you won’t regret it! Who knows, maybe you will meet your best mate or long-time partner in the process 🙂
2 – Try to socialise as much as possible
Yes, I know, it’s easy to say and especially during this lockdown time where we’d rather be tucked up and cosy at home.. but don’t be lazy, take this chance and remember that we always meet people for a reason! Why not ask this easy-going friend to go for a walk / run or to grab a coffee outside and tell him/her to bring a friend or two?
Never underestimate this spontaneous catch up, because sometimes that is how you make the best – unexpected – connections! By the way, we often say in French “Les amis de mes amis sont mes amis” (My friends’ friends are my friends). Get it?
3 – Use social networks
I have seen many times in the different countries/cities I have livedin, people posting in expat groups asking to meet new friends. It takes courage to do it, but I am pretty sure that most of them met some cool people to hang out with or good friends, you have nothing to lose!
Don’t be ashamed to ask, there is absolutely no shame in this! we all went through it and most people would appreciate it because they are probably feeling the same way but are too afraid to take the initiative!
Even though I personally don’t use Facebook that much anymore it is a great network to share these kind of experiences and to join expat groups in your new city (or just our Apéros Frenchies’ page 😉 )
4 – Exercise the language part of your brain!
What’s worse than living in a country where we don’t speak the language? Living in our bubble doesn’t help much either when trying to integrate! Although some languages can be more attractive than others, you really have to force yourself to learn. Believe me, I’ve been living in Germany long enough without speaking German to understand the struggle. 😉 It took me almost 3 years to start pushing myself to learn. I personally used an online platform : Babbel and I would recommend it to everyone. It’s easy, playful, and best of all, at your fingertips, online! It really helped me to warm to German and broke down lots of barriers to the language! ;’)
5 – Organise small events at home
Due to the pandemic, the restrictions are different depending on the country you live in. However, if we cannot meet in restaurants or bars, generally you are still allowed to invite friends over (check the restrictions regarding your country).
I realized that despite this lack of social life/ crazy nights, we’ve been forced to focus on what’s real and it is important. Yes, Friday night fever is cool but what about a nice diner and good wine at home with great people? You can have some good chats, and even learn new things about your friends, such as musical ability!
For instance, it might be a nice idea to prepare a special dish from your country so that your friends can also try something new, this is the core of expat life and experience! Friends are always happy to discover new cultures! Also, don’t hesitate to check out our article Apéro at Home – Plan the Perfect Apéro! If, you are running out of time, we definitely advise you to have a look at this website! HelloFresh delivers great recipes and fresh ingredients to your home each week!
Don’t worry, if cooking is not one of your best skills, you can still order food from your local restaurant using the handy app and keep it easy!
Anyway, use this opportunity to ask friends about their feelings and how they handle their expat blues. You’d be surprised when you ask this question that you won’t be the only one who has mixed feelings! 😉
6 – Zoom Apéro from Apéros Frenchies
You probably know about us because you’ve been to our networking events, right? Or maybe someone told you to come! I will soon talk soon about the reasons that drove me to build Apéros Frenchies and organise those events. However, unfortunately, we cannot organise events right now but some of you asked us about some digital Apéros to connect all of you guys!
We have already done it a few times and we had a lot of fun! Let us know it is something you would like to do again!
BONUS Treat yourself! (One of my personal favourites)
Who said we couldn’t buy happiness? It’s true that happiness does not comprise of an online order, but it can contribute! (Raise your hand if you agree!)
By the way, maybe you already checked it out before, but we have also written an article about our favourite products to buy especially tailored to a busy expat lifestyle!
Also, if like me, you crave delicious French chocolate, I can give you a tip, you can definitely buy a bit of happiness here! (That’s my personal secret but don’t shout it too loud!)
That’s it for today guys! I hope I helped you a bit regarding your expat journey with these top tips to handle these expat blues. Please, don’t hesitate to comment on our Facebook post if you have other ideas to share or would like to find out more and don’t forget to follow our Instagram page too!
Remember: You mum always told you “don’t talk to strangers!” ? BREAK THE RULES!
Known as one of the hottest spots in town, Les Bains Paris just re-opened on September 17th with an unprecedented concept “Les Bains Confidentiels”:becoming the confidential meeting point of partygoers in the City of Lights. Discover this place from a whole new perspective!
Parisian Night Owl? This place is probably no secret for you anymore, but due to the pandemic, Les Bains has been closed since March 2020. Known for its traditional baths or for the select club where famous DJs became residents, this place is the HQ for all those cravings an evening in town with good vibes, artisan cocktails in trendy venues..We have some good news for our night owls, they just re opened their restaurant, Roxo, a few weeks ago with an unconventional diner format.
Birthday diner? Private event? Romantic evening? Les Bains & La Riposte Agency are rolling out the red carpet for their guests.Offering you a plethora of diner / cocktail options, all of which are original and intimate.
From the dining room, you can enjoylive music while savoring a delicious diner; word on the street is that they even booked some emerging artists from the French Pop scene.
But that’s not all, you can also spend your evening dining or savoring cocktails in some unique areas that have been unveiled especially for the occasion. Whether it’s in the iconic club, where so many stars have taken to the dance floor… in the legendary swimming pool…or in the hotel’s penthouse suite your evening will take an unprecedented twist.
For those who prefer a more intimate atmosphere, then, pick the Chinese Secret Salon. With a private chef cooking before your eyes, get ready to be blown away by French excellence. Oh la la.
Look no further for the unique diner experience you’ve been craving in Paris, France, we’ve got your back with this exclusive opportunity for unconventional diner!
Apéros Frenchies events are up and running in Paris, and we are very excited, to say the least! There’s still a few months of summer sunshine to go, so have a look at where we’ve been partying, and we hope to see you there next time. Whether you prefer courtyards, terraces, or even boat parties.. we’ve selected only the best for you. So here it is, our top summer spots in Paris!
We wouldn’t do summer without a boat party and we are glad to have Off en Seine on our list! The infinity pool and immense views over the river Seine gave this year’s boat party a special edge. Moored at the foot of Austerlitz station, Offen Seine is Paris’ first hotel and bar that is located directly on the water.
There was a DJ Set, awesome people, and special cocktails by Citadelle and Sense of Spirits, served just for you. What a great place to party!
Who doesn’t love a rooftop party whilst the sun sets over Paris? This trendy location is the perfect place for our Apéros Frenchies’ events. Tell a friend to tell a friend, it’s going to be amazing, and we are looking forward to seeing you there next time!
If you cannot make it for our Afterwork, have a look while it is still sunny and warm! Flow le Roof is open everyday from Monday to Friday (5:00pm – 02:00am) and Friday- Sunday (03:00pm- 02:00am). And Le Quai is open everyday (09:00am to 02:00 am).
Fancy a city escape to the jungle? Just a few steps away from Canal St Martin, this 4 star hotel offers an enjoyable evening with new and old friends, whilst surrounded by nature’s greenery. If you weren’t able to join us, you can always stop by as it’s one of our top locations in Paris, and have a drink (or two?)
Kube
Keep an eye on our events page, and we’ll see you next time!
Parisian abstract painter, she explores the manufacture of gesture, and the fauvist color palette. Similar to sundials, her canvases play with the sunshine and luminosity of their environment . Find our more about her universe through her summer exhibition and discover Paris from a really different perspective!
Jeanne gradually projects her work onto urban space: through her digital paintings, she reinvents the roads, sidewalks and walls of her neighborhood. Check out the Place de la République, rue du Faubourg du temple and many other parisian streets..
Her compositions blur the landmarks of the city to give another reading, playful and colorful. She also targets areas under construction, urban spaces whose uses are not clearly defined, doors and interfaces. Her research invites us to imagine other uses and behaviors in connection with an evolving environment.
Also, if you are in Paris this summer,don’t miss her exhibition and the chance to meet her ! You will discover her splendid digital paintings from the 2nd of July until the end of August, at “Le Pavillon des Canaux”. (19e)
You can find more information regarding the exhibition here.
There is proof that your language speaking capabilities improve after a drink or two. So as Francophiles and French speakers, we thought to combine two of our favorite hobbies and partner with St. Germain Liqueurs to #drinkfrenchfluently.
St Germain drink
Apéros Frenchies team
The St. Germain Spritz has become a crowd favorite at Apéros Frenchies event, and was featured as the welcome drink of choice at several of our events!
The Liqueur is crafted from elderflower blossoms harvested in late spring, making it the ideal summer drink. You all know by now however that while summer may be our favorite season, we’re hosting International Afterwork events year-round. Luckily, there’s a St. Germain cocktail for any occasion. Next time you’re at one of our events feel free to try a St. Germain Spritz! Or if you’re one of our lucky Frenchies, maybe its time you brought along a bottle of this authentic French liqueur to your next Apéro and put your twist on the welcome drink? Here a recipe to make your own St Germain Spritz; the perfect cocktail for summer!
4cl St~Germain liqueur
6cl Dry Sparkling Wine
6cl Sparkling Water
Combine all of the ingredients over ice in your favorite glass. Stir gently. Garnish with a lemon twist!
Feel free to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with all the Apéros Frenchies events to stay in touch with all your new expat friends? We look forward to seeing you all at our next event!
Summertime in Paris means warmer weather, longer days, and most importantly, apéros with friends! If you’re a seasoned Parisian, you know the Seine river is the go-to spot for meeting friends. Meet us at Le Flow!
If a riverside picnic isn’t cutting it for you anymore, we have you covered! Here at Apéros Frenchies, we like to find the best gems in the city. So, gather your crew, throw on your favorite summer look and head over to Flow Paris!
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Located steps away from the stunning Alexandre III bridge, this is the spot to see and be seen! Flow boasts a sunny terrace along the quays, ideal for drinking and dining. Not enough to satisfy you? We love it for the barge docked just across the way. Known for its ever popular rooftop overlooking iconic Parisian landmarks, this is the perfect place to gather the crew and sip cocktails. You will be back time and time again!
We’re already day-dreaming of summertime in Paris and the chance to be back at Flow enjoying a chilled bottle of rosé while soaking up the sun!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with everything Apéros Frenchies – you might just see one of our team members there!
Apéros Frenchies was founded by French sisters Marie Anne and Eliz You in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany in 2015. After traveling and spending time as expats in several countries they were missing the little touches of home. So they decided to unite the French expatriate community and share their culture and culinary tastes with their new community. What better way to do this than through a casual Apéro? This is how Apéros Frenchies was born!
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The Beginnings
Who could have known in September 2015 how quickly we would grow, and how many cities we would have the opportunity to bring the French tradition of Apéro! From our very first official Facebook event at the Westin Grand Frankfurt, we were excited to meet people who wanted to experience the French Art-de-Vivre. It was a year of firsts, from Summer Garden Parties to our Comme à la Maison event at Coco-Mat ! We even partnered with some of our favorite brands like Tara Jarmon and Ligne Roset and invited you to exclusive events.
While Frankfurt is the birthplace of Apéros Frenchies, the heart of the company will always be in France. After an expansion to Munich (2016) and a trial in Stuttgart, Apéros Frenchies came to Paris in December 2018. We knew we were creating events we would want to attend, and Paris welcomed the concept with open arms. The year was filled with beautiful locations and fun moments on rooftops and on terraces all over the city!
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Our Expansion
Who doesn’t love unpretentious fun at some of the best venues in the city? As ex-pats ourselves, we recognized how wonderful it was to be able to meet people in a convivial atmosphere. So we knew it was the right time to expand to more cities and bring the French Art-de-Vivre with us! We took Apéros Frenchies to Bogotá, Colombia, and London, the UK in 2019 and brought all of you along with us.
As with any rapidly expanding startup we took all the experience we gained and worked hard to maintain our values. We knew we wanted Apéros Frenchies to be a place where people from anywhere could feel at home. To that end, we have always worked to introduce all of our Frenchies to the best people we know in the best places we know.
Finally, we decided to turn our website into a place where everyone could come for inside tips! We currently comb through our international afterword event cities to find places we hope you will be excited to discover.
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The Future
Apéros Frenchies organizes monthly events in 6 cities around the world: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, and Bogota. We’ve come a long way, but as we look towards the second half of 2020 we are excited to get back to basics!
Expect more of the same after-work events you know and love, but with more fun twists! Who knows, maybe we’ll bring back our garden parties later this year? Until then, we are excited to present you all to more small businesses in the start-up community.
As we work to get through the ongoing crisis, keep an eye on our At Home Apéro series! Start reading here, and be sure to keep up with us to catch all of our upcoming content.
We are looking forward to the time when it will be safe once again to introduce you to the best, trendiest places in your city. Until then we encourage you to join our unique community by subscribing to our newsletter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.
The legendary Normandy Le Chantier’s location in the 1ere Arrondissement has put it in the middle of all the action in Paris since 1877 but if you know where to look, you might just find one of Paris’ best kept secrets…
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Paris is full of beautiful Haussamanian architecture and enough history to amaze even the most well-traveled explorers. However, this newest addition to the Machefert hotels, Normandy Le Chantier, might just be in the most dreamy Parisian quarter. Going there is already an experience of its own, it is just moments walk from the Louvre and other popular tourist attractions. However, don’t let the history and imposing architecture put you off! The Normandy is anything but a conventional hotel located in the Paris city center. Don’t expect the conventional experience here, the front-desk is replaced by employees wearing post-war work overalls, who will welcome you with a large smile.
Like its name “Le Chantier” suggests, the hotel is undergoing extensive renovations but remains open to offer you an immersive experience. The cherry on top could be the plant-based canteen and pâtisserie, “Le Comptoir du Chantier”. You can enjoy a delicious buffet-style meal at any time of the day that is centered on natural ingredients and goodness.
If you’re looking for a nightlife option, however, Normandy Le Chantier welcomes you to come and find their hidden speakeasy! If you can find the entrance, follow the spiral metal staircase down into the Belle-Epoque style boudoir room and enjoy the REHAB bar. It is one of the first cocktail bars of its kind offering CBD-based and alcohol-free cocktails. Relax in the dim light, and immerse yourself in decor from a different time. Good luck and happy hunting….
Need a hint? The door is hidden behind the answer to this riddle. DM us on Instagram and check out their page here!
When you look at this You see perfection Because what you see Is your reflection
Tucked within La Rotonde Stalingrad, Le Refuge offers a cozy and chic cocktail bar with a retro touch. Text your group chat and assemble your crew for happy hour, this is one place we will be back to!
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We had a great time dancing the night away with you earlier this month at La Rotonde Stalingrad‘s Le Refuge! The location right on the water was the perfect setting to grab a few cocktails, enjoy the music from the Guettapen team, and catch up with all of you.
The setting was absolutely gorgeous! Built-in the 1780’s just before the French Revolution, the main room features vaulted ceilings and Romanesque columns. If you stop by early in the evening you can have a bite to eat at one of the food counters located just outside. Perfect for an after-work Apéro!
If you’re really hungry, why not sample some of the delicious Italian food on offer at the Trattoria. Come during the day to visit and discover the design concept store as well and art gallery, or stop by at night to sip a cocktail at the Refuge bar or dance at the mini club.
You know by now what to expect at an Apéros Frenchies event!
A special thank you as always to our partners Lillet and Ricard for the delicious cocktails and thank you to all of you. We love networking with ex-pat and local professionals and enjoying an evening with great vibes from all of you.
The music line-up for the evening was truly the highlight and featured some of our favorites. Be sure to check out Alex Wackii and his music here, Dori & LINE and their music here, Mino and their music here, and of course Unclassified and T.P’s music here.
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We are looking forward to gathering with all of you again soon, but until then be sure to keep up with us on social media! Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook to stay up to date on everything Apéros Frenchies. By the way, have you checked out our Apéro At Home Series yet? Catch the first article here, and be sure to subscribe now to never miss an update.
If you are freaking out to meet with this person alone, and you prefer to be in your comfort zone with friends, what about inviting this person for some drinks in a park with your friends, or do some hiking somewhere with them too? Honestly possibilities are limited right now but there are still some! If it goes well, you‘ll feel safer and better to meet in person the next time, plus you may get your friends’ approval (which is not THE most important, but still, it matters!) If it goes wrong, it would be just a funny memory you’ll talk about with your friends in the future! 😉 
