Renata

For once, we will discuss a very serious and endless subject. This is about a being in who many seek perfection. This quest is certainly an illusion act, but yet the protagonists remain conscious about it. Hence a growing frustration when these women face the reality of things. Indeed, the man, human being easy to understand unlike its opposite, knows admirably how to cultivate his difference and go beyond the expectations of women. For better and mostly for worse! Thus, it is fun to try to establish some semblance of draft blacklist of male small defects that make women go crazy. Yes, you love your men, but they have a way to maintain these little quirks that make you feel terrible... Homo basicus comes with some bugs that you are obliged to accept with the whole. Therefore, we will add a list of practical ideas to help you remedy this, as long as your man is not a lost cause ...

1) He doesn't see dirt

This is a special kind of blindness: he doesn't notice the tomato sauce that was left on the worktop, the windows that became opaque, the basket of the cat which is the center of a CIA investigation because of the presence of a new type of biochemical weapon...

-> Recommended intervention: redirect his attention, tirelessly, on those "little details": you are not his maid. Household chores like many other things can be shared.


2) He looks at other women

He tries to be discreet, but even your cat facing the aquarium is more subtle than him.

-> Recommended intervention: start looking at men, so he can see how it feels ...


3) He never answers when you ask him what he thinks

It's a classic. His eyes are vague, his spirit is somewhere else, and if he ever deigns to reply, it is to grumble something incomprehensible or just to say "no".

-> Recommended intervention: do not ask more. Resist at any cost. There are great chances that your silence will make him expose his thoughts. Men often have the spirit of contradiction.


4) He eats like an animal ...

Eating with a horde of hungry hyenas, is exotic, but Animal Planet or Discovery Channel, it's prettier on TV than at the table.

-> Recommended intervention: let him discover the pleasure of enjoying. Show him that you don't consider his voracity as a tribute to your culinary talents.

5) He lacks a bit of tolerance

He finds lamentable your favorite movie, cut the music you listen to before the end of the first song ...

-> Recommended intervention: tell him clearly that you are not forced to have the same tastes, but his eyes and ears must learn to overcome these differences.


6) He brings his office colleagues with him every night

With him come the stupid boss, the incompetent employee and even the new secretary, still single, who is certainly much sexier than he dares to admit.

-> Recommended intervention: try to find both, a fair solution. He can share with you his professional life, but it should not be the only topic of conversation at dinner.


7) He is a tyrant of the remote control

Foot: 3 - Romantic Comedies: 0

-> Recommended intervention: once a week (to start), you decide what to watch, and he is prohibited from complaining


8) He doesn't listen when you talk

His cell phone rings, his team scores a goal, his colleague told him something super funny ... sometimes you have the impression that you may as well try to talk to your TV.

-> Recommended intervention: choose your "communication moments": during the match, no; on Sunday lunch, yes.


9) He dresses elegantly to others and not for you

When you go out together, you're Cinderella with her pumpkin. When you are invited into society, he turns into a prince charming.

-> Recommended intervention: Set up some "elegant" outgoings where you both get dressed beautifully, as when you first met.


You have changed your haircut, you have bought new clothes or shoes. Proud or happy with your appearance, yet your man doesn't notice any change in you. Frustrating, isn't it? Even with a so-called subtle way, it often happens that men don't realize the things unless when they are told clearly. It is still easier to go around the world that to understand the world of a woman: men can explore every beautiful things of the world, women remain an enigma for them. So, take the right path, say the right things at the right time, it's a bit to win the lottery for some men and a history of practice and experience for others.

Obviously the list is long and we can have fun doing the same thing regarding the faults of women. Note that in France, the fault of women that many men can't tolerate or which is cited most frequently is the vulgarity in words, attitudes and way of dressing or applying cosmetics: a direct message to women who do too much to put in value an awkward femininity. Men prefere the natural feminine than women may realize. The fear of not being attractive guides some women to excesses that men hate. The feminine refinement is the absolute dream for a man. Your character must be cheerful, determined and it's always useful to be cultivated... All this without losing an ounce of humility. All is said, you can be the ideal woman in the eyes of men.

So, whatever their background or education is, men are still Neanderthals, therefore a bit macho. But, that's how you love them. They may have one, two or all the defects mentioned, they still spice up the everyday. Without them women would be bored as much as before a B-movie.

It's been a couple of months since I didn't post anything at all. The godmother of this blog was a bit upset with this situation and she blamed me, rightly, of being too lazy. So here is the final part of "Be a real Parisian". There is certainly still a lot to tell, but that will only be completed by epilogues.

It's well known all around the world that the French have some difficulty speaking foreign languages, starting of course with English. But, be aware that unlike the rest of his countrymen, the Parisian speaks very good English.

City of multiple exchanges and French favorite destination for British, the Parisian has mechanically found a benefit to it. Since several decades, he managed to create a language where the French language is marked by a considerable number of borrowings from English. This ubiquitous use of Anglicisms is Franglais!

With his friends, he talks about his "spirit", his "timing" or his "management". Il squeeze, il check, il switche... The company employees will speak in general better in English than the others with a broader knowledge of appropriate terms. They will manage their "planning" to "meetings", create "slides" or make a "feedback" on their work...

Thus, professional terms quickly become second nature: the Parisian is "corporate". Moreover, he knows that French language has its limits. Clearly, there is no word in French for "spirit". So when he says that "il est en speed car il a squeezé un gros meeting entre le lunch avec son boss et le conf call avec le CEO (he is really stressed because he forgot an important appointment at lunch time with his boss...) , he is not or no more aware of the Anglo-Saxon influence which is in his sentence. Such is the price of knowledge. This knowledge is also acquired at work, by traveling or just flipping through magazines. Most editorials are based in Paris, one can not be surprised to see flourish in the press the sections such as "fashion", "people" or "shopping".

To the Parisian, English is secretly cooler than French. That language also seems simpler. The use of English is therefore a tool for recognition of his peers. He doesn't hesitate to use words which are in tune with the times, an Anglicism taken to an extreme which sometimes leads to a speech that is both complex and meaningless. Parisians instantly understand the examples cited above. So, only a few provincial will decipher this special language. Often, the provincial laugh. Such is the price of ignorance. But, faced with criticism, the Parisian can react in two ways:

     - Either he admits: "I know, that's incredible, I can't help myself..."

     - or, with a modern magnificent, he replies: "Oh là là, don't be backward-looking but move with the times..."

Thus attacked, The Parisian is a victim of its own knowledge. It goes without saying that the faux amis don't disturb him at all. And if you are bilingual French-English, it will be necessary to quickly learn Franglais in Paris. Trilingualism is within sight. C'est vraiment hard d'être parisien!

A tip: Paris is one of the most touristic city of the world. But, unlike Americans (or other tourists) who often do the mistake, know once and for all that Parisians don't speak or very bad or they will not dare to speak English. However, this will not prevent our Quebec cousins to think, with this Franglais, that we will end up looking like Americanized French.


Post translated in French:

In response to the article "Be a real Parisian... Act II", here is a non-exhaustive and playful list that describes the Cracovian. Of course, to become a real one, a few rules have to be respected as:

1) You are not a resident of Warsaw. You don't belong to this group of snobs who says "na dwór" (in the court) instead of going out = "na pole" (literally out on the field) like everyone else, and who are the kings on the road.

2) You are Polish, then you need to know how to manage every situation. This is not a skill learned, one is born with it. Several generations have perfected this ability and you, you only need "to suck the milk of the mother".

3) Everybody says that you are stingy. Then, you're already excused ;)

4) If you are a true  Cracovian, you must be super resourceful and know every corner, all the small alleys and shortcuts to get by in a city full of traffic jams. If you don't know, you can still have extraordinary patience. However, if you know them, it's enough to be only super patient...

5) 210 000 of the 756 183 inhabitants of the city are students. So, if you are young and you live in Krakow, it's very very likely that you're not at all a Krakow.

6) If you are a Cracovian for generations, you have at home a small traditional costume of your childhood... or at least a Cracovian hat, a red collar.





















7) If you are a  Cracovian, you don't really need to ask: "Then, where are we going to meet?" One can simply go to the marketplace and wait under the statue of Mickiewicz.


You'll be there!
And if you're not here, you're probably running late. Eventually, we can meet at the other side of the Sukiennice (the building at the bottom of the photo) around the old City Hall tower


If still, you're not here, it's a shame. Something may have eaten you... could it be the dragon?


                                                                                                Renata

After learning the language and vocabulary necessary for your successful integration in the city, let's look at the other symbol of Paris: la parisienne. Of course, there are the clichés about the inimitable chic of the Parisian woman. However, some truths must be revealed on this atypical character. You aren't necessarily born Parisian, you become! It is a learning that requires a number of sacrifices, but it is true that being part of this caste that the world envies us is a privilege that is worth fighting a minimum (however, Londoner and New Yorker would likely have to teach the Frenchies on a lot of points).

Although there are a multitude of look, it's not difficult to note the main characteristics of the Parisienne and thus differentiate her from other French or foreigners. Unless this is behaviour to avoid... Here are therefore some tips to adopt habits, look and attitude "made in Paris". Elegance, chic and sobriety are naturally the basic principles.

1) Be elegant in all circumstances: the Parisienne, it is well known all over the world, is elegant. She never makes the slightest odd dress and, if it actually is in reality, it's you who have a metro of delay on the trends of the moment. This is what gives her so subtly icy and imperturbable air. To be avoided: "the apparent garters" (unless you work at Crazy Horse), "the strings with low jeans" (one of the mysteries of fashion), and especially to match the color of your tights with your shoes and bag is a big faux pas. Unlike her cousins from the Riviera or her London friends, she never takes risks, never crosses out nails from fashion, except - a little- to go out. This caution is her eyes sharp, judging the looks of others with the mercy of a hungry hawk. She pushes the elegance to her way of being, of standing, speaking and of course wearing the garment.

   The Parisienne is anything but a "fashion-victim". She can play with the trends without following them to the letter. The key is to have style...your own style (too much reading of magazines can make you forget your taste). Her colors are neutral: black, grey, white, beige, navy blue, khaki. She doesn't put too much make-up and goes with a cleverly tidy-untidy hair ("I have a so-called messy bun done quite quickly which in fact took me ten minutes before the glass with many contortions"). In her closet, you will always find a beautiful jacket, pants suit, a sexy dress but not vulgar and divine lingerie. Don't forget that in a look, the star may be the accessory: it's all in the bag or shoes!

2) Pull the face at all times. It's a fact: the real Parisienne doesn't smile. Ever. She doesn't say hello in public transports. Besides, someone who says hello in the street for no reason is necessarily crazy or provincial. When the bus is crowded, she walks you on foot without apologizing and sighs (but always elegantly, it goes without saying, not a elephantine breath of an annoyed girl) when she has to get off the bus to let people out. And, if you advance not fast enough for her, she barks a "Pardon", which is anything but an excuse. In short, she's a real complainer and she's never satisfied: taxes, strikes, tourists, rents, other Parisians... everything is subject to dispute and discontent.

3) Don't frequent places known to the capital. It is known, the real Parisian is not in those places that everyone knows. No, it's too overused for her. She knows the true fashionable places of Paris or loves to believe it. Then, she likes to slum in exotic places, like a slightly seedy harbor where their cool outfits (brand jeans + top of a creator + a pair of expensive shoes, but still discreet) will emerge in the background. And above all, when the Parisienne talks about this little place, she makes it appear like a little secret. For a little less than six months, in any case.

4) The Parisienne regularly queues. Yes, even though she knows secret places where she likes to go, she also frequents trendy places of the capital. Since she and thousands of her clones also frequent these places, she doesn't have a choice but to queue. Not without strong sighs and complaints. She is used to wait for the opening of a department store, or to eat brunch in a very fashionable place. She therefore seeks to have a very safe address book: clothes, accessories, perfumery, outings... She's made of contradictions, but that's also part of her charm.

5) Don't take the metro. The real Parisienne doesn't take the metro. She takes the bus, and later, when she's old, she drives her own car, thus helping to create this delicious smog above the capital, that colors some days the sunrise with supernatural tints. So, she takes the bus, but also rides bicycle (recently, she has a green conscience which coincides very well with her concern to eliminate cellulite) and walk. This is the secret of the sylphide for the Parisienne line. With all the pastries, all these restaurants and cuisine of the world established in the city, this diversity and these temptations fail to affect her physical.

6) Bring a pair of shoes: unavoidable consequence of the previous character line, the Parisienne has a pair of ballerinas in her bag. Indeed, even for her, walking in high heels is not an easy job, especially when it comes to walking along the rue de Rivoli all day.

7) Never go to Castorama. Yes DIY stores are usually outside Paris, and even if it's cheaper, the Parisienne prefers to buy three nails in BHV (a famous department store close to the city hall in central Paris). There, she stands like an idiot in the drill department, a hot spot of seduction for thirtysomethings singles. And, with the hammer, it's a good way to get hit on the basement of a department store.

8) Talk with an air of everything and nothing. And especially dragging out the vowels. "Ouiii, un peu comme çaaa, tu voa?"

Obviously, these little lessons are not exhaustive. The Parisienne is a bit like the Champs-Elysées, allegedly the most beautiful in the world. We can always argue that along the ten million people in Paris, they are a minority. Many girls who live in the city don't look like that. Or they say it to reassure themselves because they are afraid of becoming it.

But, after all, if one is able to feel drift towards the stereotype, and is terrified of this nightmarish slide, this is perhaps what will definitely lack to these "real Parisienne": humour and step back on oneself. So, as long as you have it, you may consider yourself saved. Even if you have a pair of ballerinas at the bottom of your too expensive bag.