I flew to Paris for a month-long ‘pursuit of pleasure,’ here’s why it’s better dating European men than American ones
After spending 16 months alone in her New York City apartment thanks to COVID, Glynnis MacNicol said oui oui to a month of steamy Parisian romps — and swears it changed her sex life forever.
The writer, who has no partner or children, craved human connection: He headed to Paris, France, for a whirlwind month-long “pursuit of fun” in August 2021.
After weeks of sexy encounters, romantic dates and passionate hookups with European men, the 49-year-old said her perspective on romance has changed forever – cheekily adding that she has embraced the “fun” of casual dating.
“It’s like you don’t know how thirsty you are until you have a glass of water, or how tired you are until you sit down,” she said.
Glynnis discussed the biggest differences between American and French men in her new book and her wild few weeks in Paris: I’m mainly here to enjoy myselfwhich hit the shelves on June 11.
“Europeans have healthier attitudes towards sex,” she stated. “It’s not something to be ashamed of, it shouldn’t be something you talk about in the dark.”
A woman who moved to Paris at the age of 46 and embarked on a whirlwind month-long quest for pleasure has exposed the biggest differences between American and European men
In August 2021, Glynnis MacNicol, now 49, headed to Paris after 16 months of “isolation” in her New York City apartment amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic. She has been seen in Paris
Upon arriving in the European city, Glynnis’ friends encouraged her to use a dating app – and so began a month full of exciting encounters, romantic dates and steamy hookups.
Glynnis certainly had a wild few weeks — and she documented the whole endeavor in her new book, I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself, which hit shelves June 11.
Amid the release of her book, the author spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com about the key insights from her month of lovemaking – and why European men are so much better than Americans so far.
Upon arriving in the European city, Glynnis’ friends encouraged her to use a dating app, beginning her month of love with a string of French men.
Overall, Glynnis said she found her French partners “much easier to get along with” and much “more comfortable talking about sex” compared to the people she had been with in the United States.
“The men are much more comfortable talking about sexual tastes or preferences, or asking what your preference is, whereas America, like here, hasn’t reached that level yet,” she explained.
“We’re still a little tense,” she admitted. “I don’t know if American men can have those conversations anymore.”
Another difference Glynnis noted was that there was a ‘greater openness’ around sex, and Europeans were less ashamed to talk about it.
‘Europeans have a healthier attitude towards sex. It’s not something to be ashamed of, it shouldn’t be something you talk about in the dark,” she said.
She added that the French men she dated were “much more open to age differences,” revealing that many of the men she dated were much younger than her.
“I think we’re going through a cultural shift in America, but America is lagging behind a little bit [with that]she added.
Amid the book’s release, she spoke to DailyMail.com about the biggest insights from her month of lovemaking – including why European men are better at dating than American men
Glynnis (seen in Paris) explained that she found her French partners to be “much easier to get along with” and much “more comfortable talking about sex” than American guys.
She added that the French men she dated were “much more open about age differences,” revealing that many of the men she dated were much younger than her. She has been seen in Paris
Another interesting difference between French and American men was the way they approached online dating.
Glyniss noted that many men on the apps in America immediately made their views and politics known – while the men’s profiles in France were about themselves.
‘People [in America] Right now I want you to know where they stand,” she said.
“In Paris, dating profiles are more focused on the mutual enjoyment of the date rather than, ‘Here’s my political position on any given scenario,'” she explained.
Glynnis said she had no interest in finding a long-term partner and just wanted to have “fun.”
“I kind of fell into a frenzy of longing for community and pleasure and touch and sensation because I had been so isolated for so long,” she recalled.
The author explained that during her romp, she not only learned a lot about French men, but also discovered a lot about herself and her desires along the way.
She said that before that summer, she was always told that women “lose their sexiness” as they get older — but now she knows that’s far from the case.
“When you’re in your mid-forties, you’re told you’re going to lose your sexiness, but it was the exact opposite,” she advised.
“It was like, ‘Oh wow, I get to pick the litter.’ That was so surprising to me, especially after spending so much time alone [during the pandemic].’
Glynnis explained that not only did she learn a lot about French guys during the five-week dating frenzy, but she also discovered a lot about herself and her desires along the way.
She said that before that summer, she was always told that women “lose their sexiness” as they get older — but now she knows that’s far from the case. She has been seen in Paris
Glyniss was surprised to find she had “so many” options when it came to dating — and in fact, her dating prospects got better, not worse.
“When you’re in your mid-40s you’re told you’re going to lose your sexiness, but it was quite the opposite,” she said. “It was like, ‘Oh wow, I get to pick the litter.’ That was so surprising to me’
“I thought, ‘Now that I’m in my mid-40s, will anyone want to see me?'” she admitted.
‘[Now] I now look forward to becoming a parent as an enjoyable experience. I feel like I have so many more options than what I was promised. It’s getting better, not worse.’
Overall, Glyniss hopes that her openness about her sexual endeavors will encourage other women to be honest about what brings them ‘pleasure’.
“Women should never be ashamed to say what they want, or to say they’re not sure yet what they want, or to say they don’t want to.” [something],’ she said.
“Everything above is fine. Your role is to enjoy as much as possible and to be very transparent about what gives you pleasure and what does not, you don’t have to be ashamed of that.’