I have good news for you if you’re sad because of the lack of updates on this blog lately… I had to great blogs to advise you to read. Of course, you’ll have to be able to read French for this. First, the blog of my friend Fyly who decided to find the best burger in Paris (what a strange idea) and tell you the story: Then we have my namesake’s blog who will tell you everything he knows about [Read the rest]
Jul 082010
Jun 262010
(asked by Megan, from Brisbane) As someone who studied the humanities at university, most of our modern post-structural/post-modern theory has been influenced by French thinkers by the way of the USA. Hence, Roland Barthes, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida and Jacques Lacan are seen us untouchable heroes, almost above critique. Yet from the little that I have read, the French themselves have rather different opinions of these thinkers. I understand that the French have mostly moved on from post-structuralism/post-modernism whereas we [Read the rest]
(asked by Megan from Brisbane) As an Australian myself, I am curious as to how the French generally perceive my country and our culture. What do French people think of Australians and Australia? Do they just perceive us as another group of English-speaking barbarians or do they see us in another way? Also, how do the French regard our culture, with regard to our films, artists, literature, gastronomy (or lack thereof) and so forth? It does not seem that Australia [Read the rest]
(asked by E from the US) I always ask (in French) if the person speaks English. I’ve noticed French people tend to give some sort of demure response about not speaking English well… or very little. Then they proceed to speak very good English. It doesn’t seem like false modesty, but perhaps an underestimation of their own abilities. Is this a cultural thing? Head to Italy and it’s the opposite. I’ll ask if the person speaks English and they’ll give [Read the rest]
(sent by Obade from NYC) OK, I’ve been quite silent lately. One reason is that I’ve been busy (in my real life, you know, with my real job and those sorts of things –yeah, contrarily to popular belief, my job is not to maintain this blog; I wish it was, but let’s admit it, the pay sucks). Another reason is because the next question in line (yeah, I try to answer questions in the order in which I get them) [Read the rest]
(asked by Jacynta from Malaysia) Hi, I am a registered pharmacist in the UK and Singapore . I am planning to move to Paris. I am seeking for information regarding pharmacist registration in France, is it difficult to get a job in France for a foreigner like myself? Please enlighten me. Thank you. Regards, Jacynta Ah! A straight direct question just how I like them (actually I edited it out a little bit, there were a couple of lines about [Read the rest]
(asked by Jen, from… somewhere, possibly somewhere in Asia) And here is Jen’s third and last question: And… is it normal, if you ask a stranger something (most of the time where the metro station is located), he then will offer you a city tour on the weekend or coffee after work? Would I be too naive if I just think all Parisian (men) are these nice to tourists? I’m planning to go back to Paris the end of the [Read the rest]
(asked by Jen, from… somewhere, possibly somewhere in Asia) Jen -the previous asker- actually had three questions, but instead of bundling them up in one entry, I’m separating them into three. Here is the second one: Another thing is… do French men don’t relate ‘marriage’ with ‘sex’? I am married (though my husband didn’t come to Paris with me) and my two French friends knew it, but both did try (individually and in different occasion of course) to suggest for [Read the rest]
(asked by Jen, from… somewhere, possibly somewhere in Asia) I went to Paris 12 years ago and came back a year ago, both for a 2 weeks of vacation. I had a great time, only that I couldn’t help but to wonder if Parisian (or should I say the French people?) don’t really smile to strangers? I don’t mean just to any strangers you met on the street…. but the people who serve your table… or in a hotel… or [Read the rest]
(asked by Mark P. from California) Does France celebrate the 5th of May each year? What do Frenchmen feel about this, if it is a holiday? Do they drink tequila or Cerveza Modelo? Merci. Something horrible has happened (ok, I exaggerate a bit). I have recently decided to make changes to this blog. One of them include a different layout (which will likely change again in the near future when I take the time to really think it through and [Read the rest]
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