The weather is still pretty nice in Paris and despite the unstable economical situation, people still go shopping, like this lady. Not sure she'll go for the sexy outfit though... Have a nice Sunday everyone. It's a voting day for us.
I like the photo very much, it's so sunny, I enjoy seeing people shopping. But I'm not sure about the "sexy" outfit, I mean, Eric if you think that's sexy you should take a look at what brazilian women wear when they want to look sexy!
Short = sexy to men, isn't that right, Eric? lol i do like the tartan skirt with the black top. It is sexy i think. It's a great photo showing the lovely sunshine. Not so here in the UK. Cold and we have terrible weather (again) due tomorrow night. Those clothes would not be enough. I missed first place this time, well done Katie!! (she's probably saying what? now) because i was featuring something to do with you, Eric, at my blog lol. Keep us posted about the voting?
Well Monica those outfits sure are nicer than what I see most women wearing in my town of Berkeley, CA! It's a Parisian classy sexy, that's for sure. I guess I need to visit Brazil to learn what sexy really means though!
I'll be interested to see how all the voting goes in France Eric. I have U.S.A. voter-news fatigue, so news of elections anywhere else will be welcome!
Ok Lynn that might be sexy for, I don't know, european patterns, but trust me, if you thing that outfit is apropriate for spring/summer time, you might be shocked at what we wear here. And I don't mean anything vulgar! It's just too hot for too many layers.
Oh Katie, sorry I didn't see your comment. Yes I think this outfit is nice, I just find it funny how sexy here would probably mean something quite different.
Monica you're lucky to live where sexy dressing is no big deal! I'm getting a bit fatigued of seeing polar fleece jackets and comfortable shoes (and I unfortunately count myself in those ranks most days). That's why I go to Paris ever year, to practice dressing better! I don't know if I could really handle Brazil though. Fish out of water.
Goodness if Michael pops in here tonight, perhaps he'll suddenly be able to make that lunch with you! I might be off to bed soon; if Phx comes in, tell her there's a message for her too over at mine. Come on Eric, i want you to visit my blog! Tear yourself away from 'Lynn' and come over to Cheltenham?
Nice photos. Nice Blog. We found your blog via the Blogger list of notable blogs. We are a Franco-American couple and lived many years in Paris. Still love the city, but prefer to visit now. Really enjoy your photos, quite an ambitios project. Bravo!
I thought I saw scooters in your image! I asked Eric for a scooter photo last week and voila, it appears, though not by the usual method ;)
Glad to see it's warming up there. My May holiday in Paris is all planned - ticket bought, places to stay, language school chosen and thanks to this blog, my list of things to do growing by the minute.
If I picnic for a week, I might even be able to afford dinner at Restaurant Vefour!
Thanks, everyone, for great photos and great chat.
To me, she's looking at a the shop window just behind the mannequins...she's looking at something...more decent? LOL. I didn't take advantage of the pretty weather today, what a pity. Tomorrow will be sunny too and as usual for one month and a half, I will wish you a sunny sunday. I hope so!
Monica, I drunk a Caipirinha tonight and thought about you!
The Paris mayor won't be elected tomorrow actually. Parisians will vote tomorrow for the mayor of their own arrondissement and this mayor elected will vote later for the Paris mayor...maybe Delanoe!
Street photos are the best. :) The lady is looking in the window though...eh? LOL about the sexy outfit and the real deal in Brazil. Perhaps the truly sexy invest in fine Parisian lingerie, luxurious silk and delicate lace, worn with a demure smile under a modest day dress to meet you at your favorite new cafe for lunch? ;)
Hehehe...just having fun, it is snowing here tonight. Oh, do keep us posted about the election. It would be ever so nice to have a break from the election news here.
I can’t wait to tell my brother about this blog. He used to live in Paris for years. He danced with Josephine Baker and sang in a group called Sheila B Devotion. He also appeared in the Paris Vogue. He misses Paris and doesn’t know why he returned to the states.
lol Lynn, no it does not comes to the point where I wear a bikini at work. Although, I'm just about to jump into one cause it's still sunday morning here and the weather is so nice and sunny.
Of course to go to work we dress properly. What I meant is that here it's natural to wear short dresses or skirts, a top or a blouse with cleavage out of work hours. We usually show a lot of skin! And if a woman really wants to look sexy, then yes it's a totally different outfit from this one in the photo. But you have to remember that it's very very hot here most of the time, so specially in Rio it's very common to wear a bikini with a top and shorts all day long on the weekend. And Havaianas, of course.
Guille I'm starting to envie you, the last time I had a caipirinha was last month during carnival. I must do somenthing about it soon!
Love this site! just came across it, thx to blogger. What good idea! I love Paris. Have been there twice and hope to take my wife once who hs always bee a Francophile--not rally an Anglophile even though that is where I am originally from! hey, wait a minute! :)
Eric talked about stereotypes the other day. I think he's right, some of them didn't come out of the blue. That's what I mean by saying the outfit here is a slightly different. It might be a stereotype but there's a reason for it!
It's a fun picture. I think Guille is correct; the lady's not looking at the clothes. Maybe she should! We always hear how French women are so fashionable. Now I think maybe not all French women. Unless she's a tourist.
Monica, I must come to Rio. I love a warm climate. It sounds perfect for me.
Eric: Congratulations on finally being recognised as a Blogger of Note! Apologies for my tardiness, but this has been my first week back at school and, well, not everything has gone according to plan.
Guille: Which of the exhibitions at the Musée du Jeu de Paume did you see? Were any of them particularly impressive or surprising? Also, did you happen to catch the Arcimboldo show at the Musée du Luxembourg earlier this year? If so, what did you think?
There will be so many extraordinary things on offer mid- to late-2008 that I am seriously considering a short trip to take them all (or at least as many of them as I can manage) in: Goya in Madrid, Bacon in London, Klimt in Liverpool, Klee in Bern - the list goes on and on...(and includes the Arcimboldo, which will be showing in Vienna).
Is there anything else that you know of coming up in Paris around that time which you think I might be interested in?
Winai They are not! My family and I have been to France many times and have never experienced all this antagonism that the French are so famous for. They were all nothing but kind and friendly to us. So go to Paris. Practice your "Bonjour madame/monsieur, parle vous anglais?". Et voila!
Monica if sexy in Brazil is still the same thing as 15 years ago it involves something see-through, very tight, very short, with low cut tops. All worn with lots of perfum, very fresh breath and plenty of eye batting.
Gee, it's 11:32 am, I just turned on my computer (yes that late LOL) and was browsing through the comments - I'll come back to some later - and saw Winai's "i wanna go to paris so bad... are people as racist and snobs as they are stereotyped to be?"
That's pretty harsh, isn't? "Racist"? If by racist you mean "anti American" well, it's ambiguous: the average "Pierre" would probably say he despises the American way of life, mostly because it's the world dominating culture and no one likes to be dominated.
The same Pierre would also take his kids to McDonald's every Sunday, watch a lot of American series (dubbed in French!) on television, buy clothes from the Gap and so on...
As far as actual racism is concerned (skin color, ethnic origins, etc.) I don't think we're doing too bad on this front (I did not say racism does not exist in France, but the general idea is that it is bad and that we should fight it).
Snobs? Well, once again, I think you meant "arrogant". We probably are in a way since I've heard it a thousand times!
Once again, I'm pretty sure it has to do with the feeling some French people have that their culture is under attack! [as I'm writing this, I'm thinking, well, would not that be racism by any chance???]
I think, on the whole, we're just like a lot of nations in the world, we're convinced our society is the best in the world and we don't want to consider changing.
At last, Rose, a proper definition of Brazilian sexy for us! Monica was keeping it all under wraps. So that's it. See-through huh. Gosh. My British mind is shocked. Low-cut tops are good here, too, as long as most of the contents are held within and not spilling out wildly over the top. Tight, short, yes sometimes can be okay, in my opinion, if you have the frame for it, which i do not. Eye batting oh yes the eyes are important to us ladies, they are our tool LOL ! Fresh breath goes without saying and DEFinately lots of perfume yes i agree.
Now, a polite request to ERIC: Why have you not come to my blog, which i have made in your honour today? Your excuse had better be worthy...(bats eyes)
Yes i see, Eric, thank you i have answered your question there. NOW you have to come back AGAIN!!! he he i am giggling out loud at the thought of the girls' reaction at you coming to my blog TWICE! Yes Rose, he is coming over again, i am preparing something delicious for him to eat and i shall be preparing my eyes for the batting of their lives!!! Mwaahaaaha
Oh yes, yes, i can confirm i have two visits. Now, i am quite cheekily going for a third. I promise i shall not do this all day Eric but i have left an invitation for you at Cheltenham. You need to go back a third time i am afraid, to collect it. You hear that girls? THREE. (very smug smile)
Winai: I feel certain that when you eventually visit Paris (and I sincerely hope you do), you will discover that the French have every reason to be proud of their rich and venerable culture. My advice is to go there with an open mind; that is, without any prejudices of your own - especially if such prejudices are not based on personal experience but have been acquired second-hand.
If you should encounter instances of racist or snobbish behaviour (and I sincerely hope you do not), remember that you might have encountered them anywhere in the world: they are not, and never have been, peculiarly Gallic traits.
When travelling, Winai, it is always best to pause and think before casting the first stone.
I love the photo. It's well-captured! All your photos are actually good.
I've been to your country once and have instantly fell in love with it. My daughter keeps telling me that when she grows up, she'll buy a house there. I am looking forward to another vacation in your country but this time we will stay in the countryside. Do you suggest Pyrenees???
Keep posting nice pics! Looking at your photos keep me close to Paris.
Finally, it's not a sunny sunday! Petrea,you don't think that she's fashionable? To me, she is! I mean, for a 65 years-old-woman, she's is not square...All the French women are not "so" fashionable, bad taste exists everywhere...hélas. ;) Lucio, I saw the Eija-Liisa Ahtila's exhibition at Le Jeu de Paume. She's a Finnish artist, she shoots videos. It was very nice, she takes part in the colonialism French debate. One of the video deals with the abuses commited by the French army in 1956 in Algeria. It's awful. Her judgement is not towards the soldiers themselves but most towards the facts and the reality of history. I liked it. I missed Arcimboldo! There is so much exhibitions in Paris, it's impossible to see all of them. I saw an exhibition that you would have loved: "Allemagne, les années noires", Musée Maillol (one of the best museums to me). Eric posted a picture about it. August Sander at the Goethe Institut. Louise Bourgeois' exhibition, Centre G.Pompidou. Then, there will be Miroslav Tichy, a strange photographer very interesting....... There is no end! You're lucky to make a cultural travel through Europe.
I also think the lady looks good, Guille. In fact, i noticed her bag first of all and thought how useful it must be, whilst looking good. The hat suits her, her make-up looks great, the scarf i would wear myself and her skirt suits the very attractive boots. The cardigan: not so much. lol! I think she's younger than 65. Late fifties perhaps, but then, one should never enquire about a lady's age.
This picture , to me, shows" 3 stages of life" outfits for women. We women of a certain age know that the outfit on the far right can be as sexy as the one on the left!!!!! As far as sexy is concerned, all a French person has to do is speak English with their French accent to climb up the ladder of sexiness.
Goes to prove sexy is more than clothes.... Lucio: The Archimboldo exhib. is small but outstanding. I was hoping they would show his upsidedown pictures which they did and were able to, with a properly placed mirror.
That's right Lynn, the age is not important. That's why you didn't give information about your own age in your profile I guess...LOL. (sharp tongue!!). Forgive me, I couldn't resist. The woman looks great, and actually,she looks really French (especially the scarf, skirt and hat).
PHX, As far as sexy is concerned, all a English person has to do is speak French with their English accent to climb up the ladder of sexiness. Oh yeaaaah!
LATE FIFTIES!!!!! Some people OF THAT CERTAIN AGE, might wear the outfit on the far right. To tweak up her LATE FIFTIES outfit on the left, she could belt her sweater(jumper to you, UKLynn) and wear stilleto type boots. Dump the hat and scarf for more chic looking ones.Get a better hairdo. I wanted to rev her up but I think I just turned her into an American. Voila! Which points up the sense of abandon I find in both French and the English way of dressing. It is much more creative. We Americans are more into polished perfection.
I'm late posting today because I forgot about the time change in the US.... I hate the springing forward because I can never catch up on sleep! Argh!
But anyway, as usual, Eric, your pictures show everyday life in Paris at its best. When I lived in Paris back in the day I had a tartan skirt very similar to that one, but I'd wear it with tights because it was winter. I also don't think this lady is too out of style--I'd love to have boots like hers and that bag is fantastic especially for a shopping expedition! As far as the scarf goes, French woman are world-renowned for the scarves they wear and how they wear them.
Happy almost Spring, everyone! Here in central Virginia we've had a few days of very high winds and rain, but at least the temperature is starting to climb and the flowers are starting to bloom!
LOL PHx! mumble all you want, well perhaps you are right i don't know her age. Yes, Monica that's EXACTLY why i don't say! I was married to someone older than me, and my last-but-one relationship (5 years) was with a man twenty years younger than i! It really doesn't matter at all.
Lynn that's ok. BTW, I see this eye batting thing really works for you huh?! Three visits from Eric!!! We ARE jealous!
Rose sorry just saw your comment now. I think cariocas dress better now, but you get the idea. I like to wear perfum, but I go easy on it, I don't want to sufocate anyone with flower or fruit scents. As for see-throughs... I'm afraid I'm a bit too shy for that. But hey you know what they say, in love and war anything's worth!
Talking about exhibitions, last week I read at Vogue Paris that there will be a Marie Antoinette exhibition at Grand Palais starting this month. I really would like to go. That's another thing I love about Paris, always so many interesting things to see.
Those of you who know my tech frustrations may be amused to know that i have just fought the last hour again with Zazzle. I have created another product for sale and have achieved the advertising panel on my Cheltenham blog - right at the bottom. It's impossible to put anywhere else until Mighty Michael comes home to rescue me. I've done the same on my art blog, but underneath that one seems to appear a surprising advert for matrimonial services inviting me to meet a Tamil groom. Tech really isn't my bag is it.
Now, what country were we talking about, again? ;)
Honestly I think you will find these attitudes in many, many countries, all over the world. So, in that regard, the French are no exception.
However, if you're going there for a vacation, you'll probably never notice, because you'll be too busy having fun and discovering cool new things, and people there will be too busy giving you directions to the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre or whatever to let you know their deep darkest secrets, unless maybe you run into Brigitte Bardot or something... But for each Brigitte Bardot or person of that background and generation, you 'll also run into humatirians, good people, students, intellectuels, kids, I don't know, I mean all kind of other people genuinely interested in, and open to other cultures.
So don't worry, go have fun, take a lot of pictures, and most of all, ENJOY YOURSELF!
Guille: The Eija-Liisa Ahtila exhibition sounds great. I will try to find out more about her in due course.
It's a shame you weren't able to catch the Arcimboldo, but at least you have a good reason!
Yes, I would have loved to see "Allemagne, les années noires". (I missed Eric post about it.)
Sadly, it looks like I'm going to miss the August Sander exhibition, too. I may, however, be there in time to see the Louise Bourgeois and Miroslav Tichy shows.
We'll see...
phx-cdg: Thank you for your appraisal of the Arcimboldo. I recently did quite a bit of research into him (while writing a piece on Jan Švankmajer), so I will be making every effort to catch the show in Vienna later this year.
Hey French guy! I just discovered your site because it has been highlighted on"blogs of Note", and I am enjoying it very much. For some reason, my computer isn't letting me email you directly. I wanted to put in a request that I know will be easy for you to fulfill, since it is near where you are. A photo of the rue des Degres. (If it still exists). I haven't been in Paris for a very long time. If you send me your email address via my blog, I will send you an email separately. marianne
Eric, a friend showed me a website of an artist and it's in reference to your "Art against dictatorship" post (6 février 2008), http://www.banksy.co.uk/indoors/napalm.html I thought there was only one artist on your picture and actually, there was two artists. Banksy is an artist who lives in London. Lynn you probably already have seen his paintings.
Just stumbled upon your blog thanks to its status as a 'blog of note'... Just wanted to let you know I enjoy looking through and taking a look at the city I also live in. I'll be back to visit your updates! (i also have a paris blog, if you're interested)
Eric what a GREAT photo! I'm so glad it's sunny there. Perfect day to buy a pretty dress!
ReplyDeleteKatie
I like the photo very much, it's so sunny, I enjoy seeing people shopping. But I'm not sure about the "sexy" outfit, I mean, Eric if you think that's sexy you should take a look at what brazilian women wear when they want to look sexy!
ReplyDeleteDo tell us tomorrow how the election day went ok!
Short = sexy to men, isn't that right, Eric? lol i do like the tartan skirt with the black top. It is sexy i think. It's a great photo showing the lovely sunshine. Not so here in the UK. Cold and we have terrible weather (again) due tomorrow night. Those clothes would not be enough.
ReplyDeleteI missed first place this time, well done Katie!! (she's probably saying what? now) because i was featuring something to do with you, Eric, at my blog lol. Keep us posted about the voting?
Well Monica those outfits sure are nicer than what I see most women wearing in my town of Berkeley, CA! It's a Parisian classy sexy, that's for sure. I guess I need to visit Brazil to learn what sexy really means though!
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see how all the voting goes in France Eric. I have U.S.A. voter-news fatigue, so news of elections anywhere else will be welcome!
Katie
Thanks Lynn for the first-place nod! I sure did know what you were talking about, but I'm usually hard at work when Eric posts during the week.
ReplyDeleteKatie
Ok Lynn that might be sexy for, I don't know, european patterns, but trust me, if you thing that outfit is apropriate for spring/summer time, you might be shocked at what we wear here. And I don't mean anything vulgar!
ReplyDeleteIt's just too hot for too many layers.
Oh Katie, sorry I didn't see your comment. Yes I think this outfit is nice, I just find it funny how sexy here would probably mean something quite different.
ReplyDeleteMonica you're lucky to live where sexy dressing is no big deal! I'm getting a bit fatigued of seeing polar fleece jackets and comfortable shoes (and I unfortunately count myself in those ranks most days). That's why I go to Paris ever year, to practice dressing better! I don't know if I could really handle Brazil though. Fish out of water.
ReplyDeleteKatie
I am intrigued, Monica. Do you go to work in a bikini? lol. That would not be a good look on me.
ReplyDeleteGoodness if Michael pops in here tonight, perhaps he'll suddenly be able to make that lunch with you! I might be off to bed soon; if Phx comes in, tell her there's a message for her too over at mine. Come on Eric, i want you to visit my blog! Tear yourself away from 'Lynn' and come over to Cheltenham?
ReplyDeleteNice photos. Nice Blog. We found your blog via the Blogger list of notable blogs. We are a Franco-American couple and lived many years in Paris. Still love the city, but prefer to visit now. Really enjoy your photos, quite an ambitios project. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteVoting day??? Mon Dieu, Eric! Hillary, Obama, or McCain?? LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will be Monsieur Delanoe by a shoe in!! As they say in the USA!!
Hi, Heinz & Frenchie
ReplyDeleteI thought I saw scooters in your image! I asked Eric for a scooter photo last week and voila, it appears, though not by the usual method ;)
Glad to see it's warming up there. My May holiday in Paris is all planned - ticket bought, places to stay, language school chosen and thanks to this blog, my list of things to do growing by the minute.
If I picnic for a week, I might even be able to afford dinner at Restaurant Vefour!
Thanks, everyone, for great photos and great chat.
The weather looks beautiful. Hope it lasts!
ReplyDeleteTo me, she's looking at a the shop window just behind the mannequins...she's looking at something...more decent? LOL. I didn't take advantage of the pretty weather today, what a pity. Tomorrow will be sunny too and as usual for one month and a half, I will wish you a sunny sunday. I hope so!
ReplyDeleteMonica, I drunk a Caipirinha tonight and thought about you!
The Paris mayor won't be elected tomorrow actually. Parisians will vote tomorrow for the mayor of their own arrondissement and this mayor elected will vote later for the Paris mayor...maybe Delanoe!
Maby it is a fetish of her :)
ReplyDeleteI always interested with street photography, including this one, interesting shot.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed looking at this picture. Are you voting for anything in particular? ;)
ReplyDeleteAh, dress shopping on the sidewalks of Paris!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Blog of Note!
Street photos are the best. :) The lady is looking in the window though...eh? LOL about the sexy outfit and the real deal in Brazil. Perhaps the truly sexy invest in fine Parisian lingerie, luxurious silk and delicate lace, worn with a demure smile under a modest day dress to meet you at your favorite new cafe for lunch? ;)
ReplyDeleteHehehe...just having fun, it is snowing here tonight. Oh, do keep us posted about the election. It would be ever so nice to have a break from the election news here.
I can’t wait to tell my brother about this blog. He used to live in Paris for years. He danced with Josephine Baker and sang in a group called Sheila B Devotion. He also appeared in the Paris Vogue. He misses Paris and doesn’t know why he returned to the states.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I enjoyed the photos.
comedysecrets.blogspot.com
lol Lynn, no it does not comes to the point where I wear a bikini at work. Although, I'm just about to jump into one cause it's still sunday morning here and the weather is so nice and sunny.
ReplyDeleteOf course to go to work we dress properly. What I meant is that here it's natural to wear short dresses or skirts, a top or a blouse with cleavage out of work hours. We usually show a lot of skin! And if a woman really wants to look sexy, then yes it's a totally different outfit from this one in the photo.
But you have to remember that it's very very hot here most of the time, so specially in Rio it's very common to wear a bikini with a top and shorts all day long on the weekend.
And Havaianas, of course.
Guille I'm starting to envie you, the last time I had a caipirinha was last month during carnival. I must do somenthing about it soon!
Lynn I'm going to your blog now to see what is this that you have to Phx. I'm curious.
ReplyDeleteLove this site! just came across it, thx to blogger. What good idea! I love Paris. Have been there twice and hope to take my wife once who hs always bee a Francophile--not rally an Anglophile even though that is where I am originally from! hey, wait a minute! :)
ReplyDeleteShe's obviously interested in the matching spike-heel boots, leather bustier, and cat o' nine tails.
ReplyDeleteEric talked about stereotypes the other day. I think he's right, some of them didn't come out of the blue. That's what I mean by saying the outfit here is a slightly different. It might be a stereotype but there's a reason for it!
ReplyDeleteAh, this and all the other pictures just make me want to be in Paris again. I'll be living there soon - but not soon enough.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun picture. I think Guille is correct; the lady's not looking at the clothes. Maybe she should! We always hear how French women are so fashionable. Now I think maybe not all French women. Unless she's a tourist.
ReplyDeleteMonica, I must come to Rio. I love a warm climate. It sounds perfect for me.
Eric: Congratulations on finally being recognised as a Blogger of Note! Apologies for my tardiness, but this has been my first week back at school and, well, not everything has gone according to plan.
ReplyDeleteGuille: Which of the exhibitions at the Musée du Jeu de Paume did you see? Were any of them particularly impressive or surprising? Also, did you happen to catch the Arcimboldo show at the Musée du Luxembourg earlier this year? If so, what did you think?
There will be so many extraordinary things on offer mid- to late-2008 that I am seriously considering a short trip to take them all (or at least as many of them as I can manage) in: Goya in Madrid, Bacon in London, Klimt in Liverpool, Klee in Bern - the list goes on and on...(and includes the Arcimboldo, which will be showing in Vienna).
Is there anything else that you know of coming up in Paris around that time which you think I might be interested in?
i wanna go to paris so bad... are people as racist and snobs as they are stereotyped to be?
ReplyDeletei wanna go to paris so bad... are people as racist and snobs as they are stereotyped to be?
ReplyDeleteWinai
ReplyDeleteThey are not!
My family and I have been to France many times and have never experienced all this antagonism that the French are so famous for. They were all nothing but kind and friendly to us.
So go to Paris. Practice your "Bonjour madame/monsieur, parle vous anglais?".
Et voila!
Monica if sexy in Brazil is still the same thing as 15 years ago it involves something see-through, very tight, very short, with low cut tops. All worn with lots of perfum, very fresh breath and plenty of eye batting.
ReplyDeleteGee, it's 11:32 am, I just turned on my computer (yes that late LOL) and was browsing through the comments - I'll come back to some later - and saw Winai's "i wanna go to paris so bad... are people as racist and snobs as they are stereotyped to be?"
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty harsh, isn't? "Racist"? If by racist you mean "anti American" well, it's ambiguous: the average "Pierre" would probably say he despises the American way of life, mostly because it's the world dominating culture and no one likes to be dominated.
The same Pierre would also take his kids to McDonald's every Sunday, watch a lot of American series (dubbed in French!) on television, buy clothes from the Gap and so on...
As far as actual racism is concerned (skin color, ethnic origins, etc.) I don't think we're doing too bad on this front (I did not say racism does not exist in France, but the general idea is that it is bad and that we should fight it).
Snobs? Well, once again, I think you meant "arrogant". We probably are in a way since I've heard it a thousand times!
Once again, I'm pretty sure it has to do with the feeling some French people have that their culture is under attack! [as I'm writing this, I'm thinking, well, would not that be racism by any chance???]
I think, on the whole, we're just like a lot of nations in the world, we're convinced our society is the best in the world and we don't want to consider changing.
OK, enough! Time for me to go voting!
At last, Rose, a proper definition of Brazilian sexy for us! Monica was keeping it all under wraps. So that's it. See-through huh. Gosh. My British mind is shocked. Low-cut tops are good here, too, as long as most of the contents are held within and not spilling out wildly over the top. Tight, short, yes sometimes can be okay, in my opinion, if you have the frame for it, which i do not. Eye batting oh yes the eyes are important to us ladies, they are our tool LOL ! Fresh breath goes without saying and DEFinately lots of perfume yes i agree.
ReplyDeleteNow, a polite request to ERIC: Why have you not come to my blog, which i have made in your honour today? Your excuse had better be worthy...(bats eyes)
Just did;)
ReplyDeleteWow, Lynn...you make everyone jealous!
ReplyDeleteYes i see, Eric, thank you i have answered your question there. NOW you have to come back AGAIN!!! he he i am giggling out loud at the thought of the girls' reaction at you coming to my blog TWICE! Yes Rose, he is coming over again, i am preparing something delicious for him to eat and i shall be preparing my eyes for the batting of their lives!!! Mwaahaaaha
ReplyDeleteOh yes, yes, i can confirm i have two visits. Now, i am quite cheekily going for a third. I promise i shall not do this all day Eric but i have left an invitation for you at Cheltenham. You need to go back a third time i am afraid, to collect it. You hear that girls? THREE. (very smug smile)
ReplyDeleteWinai: I feel certain that when you eventually visit Paris (and I sincerely hope you do), you will discover that the French have every reason to be proud of their rich and venerable culture. My advice is to go there with an open mind; that is, without any prejudices of your own - especially if such prejudices are not based on personal experience but have been acquired second-hand.
ReplyDeleteIf you should encounter instances of racist or snobbish behaviour (and I sincerely hope you do not), remember that you might have encountered them anywhere in the world: they are not, and never have been, peculiarly Gallic traits.
When travelling, Winai, it is always best to pause and think before casting the first stone.
I think Parisian are very occasionally xenophobic (like a lot of us!) but never racist.
ReplyDeletehere, theres your trump-what are trumps?
ReplyDeleteI think this woman is looking at this beautiful outfit and think of younger days when she would have worn something like this
ReplyDeleteI love the photo. It's well-captured! All your photos are actually good.
ReplyDeleteI've been to your country once and have instantly fell in love with it. My daughter keeps telling me that when she grows up, she'll buy a house there. I am looking forward to another vacation in your country but this time we will stay in the countryside. Do you suggest Pyrenees???
Keep posting nice pics! Looking at your photos keep me close to Paris.
Regards,
Ria
www.riablahgs.blogspot.com
Finally, it's not a sunny sunday!
ReplyDeletePetrea,you don't think that she's fashionable? To me, she is! I mean, for a 65 years-old-woman, she's is not square...All the French women are not "so" fashionable, bad taste exists everywhere...hélas. ;)
Lucio,
I saw the Eija-Liisa Ahtila's exhibition at Le Jeu de Paume. She's a Finnish artist, she shoots videos. It was very nice, she takes part in the colonialism French debate. One of the video deals with the abuses commited by the French army in 1956 in Algeria. It's awful. Her judgement is not towards the soldiers themselves but most towards the facts and the reality of history. I liked it.
I missed Arcimboldo! There is so much exhibitions in Paris, it's impossible to see all of them. I saw an exhibition that you would have loved: "Allemagne, les années noires", Musée Maillol (one of the best museums to me). Eric posted a picture about it.
August Sander at the Goethe Institut.
Louise Bourgeois' exhibition, Centre G.Pompidou. Then, there will be Miroslav Tichy, a strange photographer very interesting....... There is no end!
You're lucky to make a cultural travel through Europe.
bonjour, eric!!!
ReplyDeletei love your blog about paris. and i'm glad to find out that there are friendly parisians after all. =)
i hope to see paris someday!
We did have some rain aroung noon.
ReplyDeleteI also think the lady looks good, Guille. In fact, i noticed her bag first of all and thought how useful it must be, whilst looking good. The hat suits her, her make-up looks great, the scarf i would wear myself and her skirt suits the very attractive boots. The cardigan: not so much. lol! I think she's younger than 65. Late fifties perhaps, but then, one should never enquire about a lady's age.
ReplyDeleteThis picture , to me, shows" 3 stages of life" outfits for women. We women of a certain age know that the outfit on the far right can be as sexy as the one on the left!!!!! As far as sexy is concerned, all a French person has to do is speak English with their French accent to climb up the ladder of sexiness.
ReplyDeleteGoes to prove sexy is more than clothes....
Lucio: The Archimboldo exhib. is small but outstanding. I was hoping they would show his upsidedown pictures which they did and were able to, with a properly placed mirror.
That's right Lynn, the age is not important. That's why you didn't give information about your own age in your profile I guess...LOL. (sharp tongue!!). Forgive me, I couldn't resist.
ReplyDeleteThe woman looks great, and actually,she looks really French (especially the scarf, skirt and hat).
PHX,
ReplyDeleteAs far as sexy is concerned, all a English person has to do is speak French with their English accent to climb up the ladder of sexiness.
Oh yeaaaah!
LATE FIFTIES!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSome people OF THAT CERTAIN AGE, might wear the outfit on the far right. To tweak up her LATE FIFTIES outfit on the left, she could belt her sweater(jumper to you, UKLynn) and wear stilleto type boots. Dump the hat and scarf for more chic looking ones.Get a better hairdo. I wanted to rev her up but I think I just turned her into an American. Voila!
Which points up the sense of abandon I find in both French and the English way of dressing. It is much more creative. We Americans are more into polished perfection.
Late fifties, late fifties, mumble mumble.....
I'm late posting today because I forgot about the time change in the US.... I hate the springing forward because I can never catch up on sleep! Argh!
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, as usual, Eric, your pictures show everyday life in Paris at its best. When I lived in Paris back in the day I had a tartan skirt very similar to that one, but I'd wear it with tights because it was winter. I also don't think this lady is too out of style--I'd love to have boots like hers and that bag is fantastic especially for a shopping expedition! As far as the scarf goes, French woman are world-renowned for the scarves they wear and how they wear them.
Happy almost Spring, everyone! Here in central Virginia we've had a few days of very high winds and rain, but at least the temperature is starting to climb and the flowers are starting to bloom!
Marcia
Petrea, California and Rio have a lot in common when it comes to sunny weather and beach people. Yes you should come soon!!!
ReplyDeletePhx you are so right, if I hear a french speaking (or italian) I immediately find it soooo sexy!
LOL PHx! mumble all you want, well perhaps you are right i don't know her age. Yes, Monica that's EXACTLY why i don't say! I was married to someone older than me, and my last-but-one relationship (5 years) was with a man twenty years younger than i! It really doesn't matter at all.
ReplyDeleteI like her just as she is. She is...Woman.
Guille, sorry, not Monica! Oops.
ReplyDeleteLynn that's ok. BTW, I see this eye batting thing really works for you huh?! Three visits from Eric!!! We ARE jealous!
ReplyDeleteRose sorry just saw your comment now. I think cariocas dress better now, but you get the idea. I like to wear perfum, but I go easy on it, I don't want to sufocate anyone with flower or fruit scents. As for see-throughs... I'm afraid I'm a bit too shy for that. But hey you know what they say, in love and war anything's worth!
Talking about exhibitions, last week I read at Vogue Paris that there will be a Marie Antoinette exhibition at Grand Palais starting this month. I really would like to go. That's another thing I love about Paris, always so many interesting things to see.
Well, I go for a more streamlined look. The boots are okay, but the hat and scarf (and fuzzy, orange hair!) seem overdone to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like the photo! Unfashionable woman looking quizzically at fashionable clothes.
Oh, the controversy!
Oh and Lynn, getting Eric to come to your blog is...well, once is enough! Don't be selfish!
ReplyDeletehe he a girl's got to try, Petrea...!
ReplyDeleteThose of you who know my tech frustrations may be amused to know that i have just fought the last hour again with Zazzle. I have created another product for sale and have achieved the advertising panel on my Cheltenham blog - right at the bottom. It's impossible to put anywhere else until Mighty Michael comes home to rescue me. I've done the same on my art blog, but underneath that one seems to appear a surprising advert for matrimonial services inviting me to meet a Tamil groom. Tech really isn't my bag is it.
Hello !
ReplyDeleteJe suis française, j'aimerais que vous participiez au jeu qui est sur mon blog. Merci bcp ! J'aime bcp votre blog !
Racist? Yes.
ReplyDeleteArrogant? Yes.
Xenophobic? Yes.
Now, what country were we talking about, again? ;)
Honestly I think you will find these attitudes in many, many countries, all over the world. So, in that regard, the French are no exception.
However, if you're going there for a vacation, you'll probably never notice, because you'll be too busy having fun and discovering cool new things, and people there will be too busy giving you directions to the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre or whatever to let you know their deep darkest secrets, unless maybe you run into Brigitte Bardot or something... But for each Brigitte Bardot or person of that background and generation, you 'll also run into humatirians, good people, students, intellectuels, kids, I don't know, I mean all kind of other people genuinely interested in, and open to other cultures.
So don't worry, go have fun, take a lot of pictures, and most of all, ENJOY YOURSELF!
Guille: The Eija-Liisa Ahtila exhibition sounds great. I will try to find out more about her in due course.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you weren't able to catch the Arcimboldo, but at least you have a good reason!
Yes, I would have loved to see "Allemagne, les années noires". (I missed Eric post about it.)
Sadly, it looks like I'm going to miss the August Sander exhibition, too. I may, however, be there in time to see the Louise Bourgeois and Miroslav Tichy shows.
We'll see...
phx-cdg: Thank you for your appraisal of the Arcimboldo. I recently did quite a bit of research into him (while writing a piece on Jan Švankmajer), so I will be making every effort to catch the show in Vienna later this year.
Monica: A Marie Antoinette exhibition at Grand Palais!
ReplyDeleteAs far as students of art and culture are concerned, Paris will certainly be the best of all possible cities this (northern) summer!!
I may have to emigrate.
Hey French guy! I just discovered your site because it has been highlighted on"blogs of Note", and I am enjoying it very much. For some reason, my computer isn't letting me email you directly. I wanted to put in a request that I know will be easy for you to fulfill, since it is near where you are. A photo of the rue des Degres. (If it still exists). I haven't been in Paris for a very long time. If you send me your email address via my blog, I will send you an email separately. marianne
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeletea friend showed me a website of an artist and it's in reference to your "Art against dictatorship" post (6 février 2008), http://www.banksy.co.uk/indoors/napalm.html
I thought there was only one artist on your picture and actually, there was two artists. Banksy is an artist who lives in London.
Lynn you probably already have seen his paintings.
I have indeed, Guille. He is regarded as THE 'graffiti' style artist. Very interesting. Go on to London DP blog and search Banksy!
ReplyDeleteDear claydojo,
ReplyDeleteI did a Google image search and found this. Since when do sets of stairs get designated as a street? : )
Just stumbled upon your blog thanks to its status as a 'blog of note'... Just wanted to let you know I enjoy looking through and taking a look at the city I also live in. I'll be back to visit your updates! (i also have a paris blog, if you're interested)
ReplyDeleteI am heading to Paris in May.... and l will be sure to visit this market - l cant wait. Will keep visiting your blog...love it!
ReplyDeleteJo from Oz
I am such a shopaholic. I envy the parisienne, who can shop so well.
ReplyDeleteStill there is more to life than shopping (sort of) and your blog is fun and informative.
I love shopping in Paris ... this lady might as well go for the sexy outfit. She looks like she could fit in it and prob look nice.
ReplyDeleteI love this shot and funny irony as well...
ReplyDeletewow! amazing photo! I would love to shop there!
ReplyDelete