Paris: Anecdotes, Observations and Funny Encounters

One of many Yuletide-decorated buildings in Rueil-Malmaison


Things that had thus far transpired and ruminated in Paris, in random order:

1. Sadia loves croissants so much ever since we fed her the first time we had breakfast at the hotel’s charming breakfast room. We just give her the ‘inside’ of the croissant but never the crust. From thereon, she has one or two for brekkie and sometimes a few bites during the weekend outings just to tide her over. Luckily, Bakkerjap – with divine appel-flaps – sells croissants, the plain and cheese variety, just in case she asks for them when we go back to Delft.

2. My husband and I observed that the French – particularly the women – are small in stature. This conclusion came after comparing the general populace’s (read: those that we bumped on the streets during the past eleven days) height with that of mine. I’m not that tall – maybe 5 foot 4 inches (or 5 foot 4-&-3/4 according to optimistic estimate ;) ) – so it was an amusing surprise being able to see them French face-to-face, which is a far cry from those towering Nederlanders back in Delft. Perhaps a nation full of ‘le petite’ is the inspiration behind the best-selling book “French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure” by Mireille Guiliano. That aside, and having enumerated the various reasons in her book (the three-bite-rule, for instance), Ms Guilliano had left out a crucial element which makes most French ladies stay thin – which is…..

3. Smoking! I noticed this alarming trend EVERYWHERE! They smoke while walking in the freezing temperature, on the phone, after breakfast, reading, amongst others. It is indeed a country of smokers. Heh heh. I wonder how they will cope come January 2007 when public areas will be smoke-free…Only time will tell.

4. All the TV shows are in French! Specifically all the known sitcoms, series, soap operas, movies, re-runs, even SpongeBob Squarepants and The Simpsons are dubbed in French! Like my husband said, Homer sounds classic in French! At first, I was miffed by this cultural phenomenon. On the other hand, I must take my hats off to these dubbers for staying faithful to the original voices of The Simpson and SpongeBob's characters. I mean, Homer (Bart, etc) does sound like Homer, but in French! Hehe...It is as if the government doesn’t want to encourage the widespread usage of English by its people. Maybe it’s bad enough that the English language, propagated by its old rival, Great Old Briton, is the lingua franca of the world. But, isn’t it wasting taxpayers’ money dubbing all these tv shows into French as opposed to just displaying French subtitles? Well, it’s been a long tradition, so I guess, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it?

5. Speaking of tv shows, the French likes game-shows. All day long, sometime seven day a week, there will be all kinds of game-shows on the telly. And the game-shows are always full of pomp and merry-making, with the audience hyped up – clapping, dancing and singing together. This sort of camaraderie on a game-show simply blows me away.

6. Also, the current hit show now is ‘Star Academy’ which closely resembles ‘Akademi Fantasia’ back in Malaysia (I think Indonesia also has the same concept) is in its ‘Demi-Finale’ or Half Finale stage. The programme parts company from the Malaysian-based by having the four final contestants pitted against each other in two groupings. Last Friday, the first two candidates had their ‘grand finale’ show at the end of which one of them was booted out. This week, the other two will get the chance to win the votes. Apart from this big difference, the concept – vocal/acting/dancing coaches – reflects the original show from Mexico. The house in which they have the privilege of staying is quite a beauty! Since we are in France, the opulent fabric for the living room, French provincial wallpapers, plush velvety chairs shout high-class! The show’s host, however, is not as flamboyant as Aznil. Thank goodness!

7. On the note of class, the French do have a sense of style. Even their babies, toddlers and children dress well. I mean, in a fashionable and chic way. Now I know why some great fashion houses get their roots here. And in general, the French smell nice too! A whiff of perfume inordinately wafts past my nose whenever I take to the street, or even in the hotel's breakfast room!

8. Last Saturday, as we were about to walk out the hotel, Ali – the nice gentleman at the frontdesk – suddenly remarked to us, in a deadpan manner, as we passed him at the reception. “You speak English to one another.” He was genuinely curious. His facial expression was serious. I replied something boring to the effect that we could be more descriptive in English but the fact that he actually observed that was hilarious!

9. My husband and I, had been on separate occasions, asked for directions by the French or European tourists speaking in French. In my case, lucky me that she can understand English, and lucky her that I DO know the way to the RER train station.

10. Despite some warnings of the French’s well-known coldness and haughtiness, the people that I have the chance to get acquainted or engage with (buying food, souvenirs, for instance) are warm, friendly and helpful. Speaking of helpful, it happened during one of my sorties with Sadia. We were lining up for bakery goodies at this corner bakery shop when Sadia ate a small piece of the receipt she was holding in her hand (usually she won't bite it), and this French lady peremptorily swooped her long manicured finger into her mouth, without asking my permission, to yank the paper out! Naturally, Sadia cried at this stranger's intrusion of her palate. I think the French are just not used to foreigners, broadly speaking. Fortunately, I have my height to work to my advantage and when all else fails, my secret weapon – Sadia! – who has been a record-success in melting people’s heart. As they endearingly call out to babies in French, Coo-Coo!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. That first Sunday when we went to town, during the train ride back home, an old French guy entered OUR carriage at one of the underground stops with his bicycle in tow, and suddenly started giving a sermon - at the top of his lungs (in French) - that included some gospel songs! Sadia was scared of the commotion and screamed back! What is the odd of that happening? For him to choose our carriage. Bizarro indeed.....