There’s an old joke about European stereotypes regarding the ideal situation vs. what might be a nightmare. The story goes that Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian, and it’s all organized by the Swiss. On the other hand, Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are British, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and it’s all organized by the Italians. Given that we live in France, I’ll take the safe way out and say, “No comment”, but I did want to address something that we often see repeated about this country: rudeness.

Continue reading “Rude? You talkin’ to me?”

All this time I’d been thinking that Bill and I didn’t like modern art. It took the opening of the Centre d’Art Contemporain (Contemporary Art Center) here in Carcassonne for us to realize that some of our favorite painters from 150 years ago fall into the “modern” category. We’re especially fond of impressionism with artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Pissaro all having exhibited their works in Paris at the Impressionist Exhibitions from 1874 to 1886. Modern art, encompassing a break with tradition, emphasizing individuality and innovation, lasted from the 1860s to the 1960s. With this latest addition to the growing list of city-sponsored art exhibit spaces in town, we were about to learn some more history and culture.

Continue reading “Contemporary art in Carcassonne”

Years ago we were second in line at a car rental agency here in Carcassonne directly behind another customer with whom the transaction was conducted in French. As we approached the counter, the agent immediately said to us, in English, “Hello, may I help you?” We had not yet said a word out loud, not even an accented Bonjour, yet we were clearly identifiable as English speakers and maybe even as Americans. But how did he know? An article from the Huffpost might provide some clues. It’s entitled, “23 Telltale Signs Someone Is American, According To Europeans”.

Continue reading “Dead giveaway”

My guess is that many of us have been in the following situation, especially around the holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day—or maybe all three! You’re at the dinner table with members of your family, many of whom you haven’t seen in a while. Everyone is looking forward to a meal that has been in preparation for hours, plus hearing all the news from your siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. When there’s a lull in the conversation, someone tries to be helpful and asks for opinions about the latest election, the role of the Church, or why a certain relative chose not to join you that evening. There’s a spontaneous intake of breath, sideways glances, a cough, and a sudden interest in those glasses of wine on the table. It seems that this isn’t unique to the US. According to a survey that was highlighted in our local newspaper, awkward discussions can happen during the fêtes in France as well.

Continue reading “Don’t mention it”