If you’re in need of an escape from reality, TV series are a safe and easy way to do that. Sit in front of your screen, in the comfort of your sofa or bed, it’s only a matter of time before you’re sucked into the story and before you forget whatever is playing in your own life at the moment. Maybe you’re stressed out because of school, maybe you don’t know how you’re going to pay your next month’s rent or maybe someone you love isn’t doing so well. Whatever the reason, sometimes you just need a distraction from your own thoughts.
And there’s absolutely no harm in that, on the contrary. As human beings, we’re not made to be stressed all the time. It won’t do you any good physically or mentally. But while you’re watching those breath-taking series and wondering what it would be to live the life of one of the characters, it’s good to keep something in mind: most series are fictional. And it would be wrong to think everything that’s portrayed is even remotely realistic. Because you know what? It mostly isn’t.
One of the series we’ve got in mind when talking about ‘escaping reality’ is ‘Emily in Paris’. The Netflix series talks about the American marketeer Emily (played by Lily Collins) who moves to Paris to work at the French marketing firm Savoir. A move which doesn’t go totally according to plan, as she experiences a bit of a culture clash. Although the series has been widely criticized in France because they’re said to be way too stereotypical, we can’t deny it offers a great escape from daily life.
Salary versus expenses
However, apart from being a tad stereotypical, there’s another issue: Emily’s way of life isn’t realistic given her chosen career path. At all. According to real estate site Bramleys, it would cost Emily about 133.845 euros per year to maintain the way of life she does in the series. Contrary to what you might expect, her apartment – which would cost around 20.400 euros a year – isn’t even the biggest part of her budget. Her wardrobe is, since it’s estimated to come in at a whopping 94.000 euros on a yearly basis. Breakfasts would come in at 912 euros a year, lunches at 5.475 and dinners at 10.950 euros. Combined with gas, electricity, transportation and health insurance, we’re talking 133.845 euros a year and take-away coffee, museums and other activities aren’t even included.
And what would Emily earn? According to Bramleys, her salary would be around 60.000 euros a year, meaning she’s definitely not living according to her means. Something to keep in mind for the next season!
