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L'Étrangère: English, English Everywhere

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. English, English Everywhere. There have been a couple pieces in the media lately ( here. 8220; Ahhhh, tu veux dire. Bah-dee ba-lance [in full-on American accent],” I said nearly automatically. Incidentally, she looked at me a little strangely. Overhearing ladies in the locker room exclaiming that “Le Struh-tcheeeeeeeng—c’est top! 8221; throughout the class. I would nearly drop my dumbbell due to my own little, private laughing fit. The French...

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L'Étrangère: November 2008

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. Due to a recent development, I may have to renege on my irritation of late. With obsequious American customer service. Yes, that’s when the customer service magic happened. Our contact became a bit alarmed and showered us with all those niceties that just the other day had me rolling my eyes. He then stated—no, rather, insisted—that he send us a gift basket to make up for our troubles. Um, WHAT? Anyhow, we had a very early flight out of Paris...

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L'Étrangère: Quelle Scandaleuse

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. It seems France’s First Couple is a legal force to be reckoned with these days. Now Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the First Lady, is involved in a lawsuit. Uncannily similar to her husband’s recent entanglement. The scoop is that a clothing company has designed a 3€ canvas tote shopping bag with a nude image of Carla silkscreened onto its side. The bag has been a popular item on the island of Réunion, a French overseas département. She is a supermodel...

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L'Étrangère: Shopaholics

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. The economy has been in a slump. Hiring freezes, cutbacks, layoffs, chapter 11 filings, you name it are plaguing our companies, even in so-called recession-proof industries. Foreclosures have been forcing interest rates up and preventing people from getting credit approval at all. So then why is it that every time I walk down the hill to Union Square, the streets are flooded with shoppers? Are people starting to ramp up their holiday shopping?

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L'Étrangère: Reduce, Recycle, Re…Eh

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. Reduce, Recycle, Re…Eh. You know those reusable shopping bags made of hardy plastic or canvas now selling like hot cakes in most eco-conscious supermarkets? Jeez, the French do not like nonconformists.). 8221; He replied, “Come on, this is France—there is no difference.” The ugly truth is that businesses don't want to pay recycling fees. Blurgh. Don't get me started. And they call Americans lazy! 03 June, 2009 19:16. View my complete profile.

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L'Étrangère: July 2008

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. The Wonderful World of French Food Shopping. Purchasing power. A recent study reported that it’s the number one concern among French consumers. My students frequently alternate between grumbling and fretting over it. Even advertisers have taken note, as a recent LastMinute.com billboard in the Métro boasted you could provide your family with a vacance “bling-bling”. While still protecting your pouvoir d’achat. A tradition that has been render...

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L'Étrangère: August 2008

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. Although I missed out on a lot of the summer festival season due to various vacations and such (yes, life in France is tough), I did manage to catch one of the final big outdoor musical events of the season the other night, Rock en Seine. It was fantastic. Because the French may be conflicted about Americans, but New York? Who did their marketing? Is there a guest list I can get on? And now, the music. We unfortunately couldn’t get ...Justice...

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L'Étrangère: Out of Order

http://l-etrangere.blogspot.com/2008/11/out-of-order.html

Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. Due to a recent development, I may have to renege on my irritation of late. With obsequious American customer service. Yes, that’s when the customer service magic happened. Our contact became a bit alarmed and showered us with all those niceties that just the other day had me rolling my eyes. He then stated—no, rather, insisted—that he send us a gift basket to make up for our troubles. Um, WHAT? Anyhow, we had a very early flight out of Paris...

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L'Étrangère: Caring = Oversharing

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. First, when you call customer service, you’re put on hold endlessly, and then, when you finally get through to an agent, you have to pay for the privilege of talking to him—sometimes as much as 40 centimes. Roughly 60¢) a minute. (It’s important to note that customers used to get charged for hold time. The law was changed only last year.). It’s of utmost importance to be vigilant, because French “customer service” has an acu...8221; And she s...

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L'Étrangère: December 2008

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Reflections on a Year in Paris and the Return to the Homeland. You Know You’re in San Francisco—and Not in Paris—When…. 8230;it’s a typically gray, foggy day and no one’s complaining about it. 8230;you walk past a local branch of your bank at 7pm and not only is it open, but there is a sizable line of customers inside. 8230;fleece and sneakers are acceptable fashion choices, even if you’re not “doing sport.”. 8230;dishes with less fat content are considered more respectable, rather than less refined.