This is an ongoing post series, I suppose. Laura and I have been commenting back and forth about certain things we've noticed about the French. Not that these are all true or always true. Perhaps they have some cultural explanation that escapes us.
Why do so many French people walk with a limp?
Casualties from the Tour de France? Too much foie gras? I really can't say.
French men.
Maybe it's because we're women, but the men seem a bit more, flirtatious than they are back home. They stare much more and are bolder in their speech.
They love to tease. They will say something if only to ruffle the feathers of the women nearby. They think nothing of bestowing lavish compliments on a lady if it will get them somewhere in life (they usually start by, you are the most beautiful...) This is a learned thing. Some of my students do it do me to get on my good side and I know they didn't think of it themselves.
They also do this weird walk where they strut with their hands in their pockets and their heads held high (not unlike a bunch of roosters). This is definitely learned. I saw a three-year-old doing it.
And you all know my story about me at the bar. Enough said about this subject.
The French are very proud to be French.
They all think that France is the best country in the world (and why shouldn't they?). A lot of people who live in Verdun are actually Italian, but they consider themselves to be just as French as the next man. They will only mention their origins if you press them.
The one problem with this is the"If France is the greatest country in the world, why should I ever leave?" attitude. Sadly, most of my students have never been outside France, some not even to Paris or outside La Meuse.
As one Frenchman once said to me, "I really love my country!" He had been all over the planet (to Mongolia, even), but he still has a fondness for his own country. Now that's true patriotism--when you know better and still support your country.
The French love babies and old people.
I have observed on several occasion, people going up to babies and making goo-goo eyes at them. The babies are delighted as are the parents. I have not really seen crying babies in public. I also have observed the younger generation assisting the elderly to walk around town and do their shopping. They seem to take good care of them.
Opinions Galore.
All the French people I know are very helpful, in fact, I don't know where I would be without their suggestions. They are so helpful, in fact, that I find them opinionated from time to time. I have never noted malice, just AHH! I wish they would get out of my hair sometimes. (this is not to say that I am not opinionated...because I am). A lot of advice stems from backhanded criticisms. (maybe this is just D, I don't know!). I think it might stem from language, actually. Suggestions in French hit me harder in the ear than in English. I think we tend to soften things with modals too much
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