Thursday, January 24th, 2013
Whiteboard in French?
I love my kids’ education at the French American school here in San Francisco. Among other things, it’s made them so much more sensitive to language and humor. Today, I asked the kids if there was a French word for a whiteboard. They said that everyone just calls it the “ardoise,” which of course is like continuing to call a whiteboard a “blackboard” in English. … My 8 year old son replied, “How about “blardoise,” which I’d say is the perfect adaptation.
No Comments » - Posted in Culture by Paul
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Good news/Bad news – no more smoking outside French cafés
Well, no more heaters that allow folks to sit outside and smoke. Paris is moving to ban outdoor heaters at sidewalk cafés.
I’ve heard more and more that these propane heaters are the single worst thing many homes have in the way of polluting devices. Still, I guess like wood-burning fireplaces, it’s sad to see them go.
France long held out against the smoking bans being enacted worldwide in public places, but finally caved in three years ago. But while the inside of Left Bank cafés has been less foggy, the café-clope (coffee and cigarette) culture of the city has continued to thrive by simply spilling into the streets, thanks to the gas heater.
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,Understand France and the French by Paul
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
Hôtel Drouot is pure theatre
The auction rooms at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris date to 1852. They’ve been modernized since then, but the general atmosphere probably hasn’t changed much. On any day of the week, a throng of characters straight out of a Maupassant novel can be found bidding for dusty treasures straight out of the proverbial Old Curiosity [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Culture,Museums and Monuments,Shopping,Understand France and the French by Jasmine
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
The very force of globalism has kept French local
Do It Yourself Culture… by Michael Kimmelman
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,Understand France and the French by Jasmine
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
Even the French elite speak English
An interesting rumination on defending the language, in defense of values.. Pardon My French by Michael Kimmelman of NY Times.
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,Understand France and the French by Jasmine
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
Poisson d’Avril
April Fool’s day is said to have French origins. In 1564, France reformed the calendar, changing the beginning of the year from the end of March to January 1st. For those who resisted the new calendar and adhered to the old traditions, paper fish were playfully attached to their backs and they were fondly dubbed [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,Funny,Understand France and the French by Jasmine
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Paris, via a 19th Century Guide
From the New York Times…
No Comments » - Posted in Books,Books on France,Culture,Food,Restaurants,Understand France and the French by Jasmine
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
Mayor Bloomberg also like Mon Vieil Ami, in Ile St.-Louis
I remember a Sunday afternoon meal at this wonderful bistro with my darling husband and my kids a year ago. … Bloomberg, the thrice re-elected mayor of NY also prefers it…. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/nyregion/19paris.html
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental,Culture,Food,Restaurants by Jasmine
Monday, September 7th, 2009
Say goodbye to the “bise?”
That said, there are things you can do to help avoid the flu, like obsessively washing your hands, trying not to touch your face, and avoid close contact with strangers and friends, such as the ever-present “bise.” … Some French schools, companies and a Health Ministry hotline are telling students and employees to avoid the social ritual out of fear the pandemic could make it the kiss of death, or at least illness, as winter approaches.
…The New York Times ran a story the other day ( Swine Flu Upsets Rituals of Greeting ) as well on relative risk levels of different contact, and the bise, or even Hollywood-style air kiss was right at the top, so look for less kissing and touching in the months to come as we all suffer through the season.
1 Comment » - Posted in Culture by Paul
Friday, September 4th, 2009
France Miniature
Our friend Patrick Mikla always surprises us with ‘inside’ discoveries of Paris and France. From the time we met him some 15 year ago, I can remember each and every one of our adventures. The latest is France Miniature. He took the day off and took us Élancourt, a town about an hour drive outside [...]
