A few last words from Julia, and perhaps a travel philosophy?
Aug 20th, 2004, 05:16 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few last words from Julia, and perhaps a travel philosophy?
Hi
The New York Times's Op Ed page today has another tribute to Mrs Child, apparently notes from one of her last visitors.
To quote JC, " ' Shopping in France taught me about human relations.'...she learned that the French are highly attuned to social nuance. If a tourist enters a food stall thinking she will be cheated, the salesman will happily oblige...But if he senses that his customer <takes> a genuine interest in his produce...then he will just 'open up like a flower.' "
Not a bad attitude about travel either, I thought.
The New York Times's Op Ed page today has another tribute to Mrs Child, apparently notes from one of her last visitors.
To quote JC, " ' Shopping in France taught me about human relations.'...she learned that the French are highly attuned to social nuance. If a tourist enters a food stall thinking she will be cheated, the salesman will happily oblige...But if he senses that his customer <takes> a genuine interest in his produce...then he will just 'open up like a flower.' "
Not a bad attitude about travel either, I thought.
Aug 20th, 2004, 05:30 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Elaine,
How true the late Julia Child's comments is.
Among some Americans it is common prattle about how rude the French are. I have visited France in each of the last 13 years and have rarely come upon that attitude. I speak a fair French but always try to demonstrate the politeness of a gentleman.
Acting like that works magic earning my wife and me many French friends. To illustrate, I work in Wall Street. When 9/11 occurred the first note we received came, accompanied with flowers, from friends in St.Remy.
Friends here sometimes confuse what I have just written with my political views on France. I am as angry as any American about how France (and Germany) have treated America but there is no need to confuse that with the interpersonal relations with individual Frenchmen or admiration for the cultural and physical beauty of France.
In my opinion, other than America, France is the one of the most beautiful countries in the world. To illustrate, just take a ride on the TGV from Paris to Avignon. You will look out the train window at gorgeous pastoral settings for the entire two and a half hour trip.
And, not to forget, Julia Child was a wonderful person. R.I.P.
Anthony
How true the late Julia Child's comments is.
Among some Americans it is common prattle about how rude the French are. I have visited France in each of the last 13 years and have rarely come upon that attitude. I speak a fair French but always try to demonstrate the politeness of a gentleman.
Acting like that works magic earning my wife and me many French friends. To illustrate, I work in Wall Street. When 9/11 occurred the first note we received came, accompanied with flowers, from friends in St.Remy.
Friends here sometimes confuse what I have just written with my political views on France. I am as angry as any American about how France (and Germany) have treated America but there is no need to confuse that with the interpersonal relations with individual Frenchmen or admiration for the cultural and physical beauty of France.
In my opinion, other than America, France is the one of the most beautiful countries in the world. To illustrate, just take a ride on the TGV from Paris to Avignon. You will look out the train window at gorgeous pastoral settings for the entire two and a half hour trip.
And, not to forget, Julia Child was a wonderful person. R.I.P.
Anthony
Aug 20th, 2004, 09:59 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
elaine & Powell - outstanding thoughts for all to ponder.
I shall try this new approach in all my future encounters with snippy, uh, I mean.....talented french waiters.
Seriously, if you look for or expect trouble it always seems to seek you out.
I shall try this new approach in all my future encounters with snippy, uh, I mean.....talented french waiters.
Seriously, if you look for or expect trouble it always seems to seek you out.
Aug 20th, 2004, 10:16 AM
#7
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In many ways Julia Child was responsible for my attending French cooking school back in the early 80's. I was quite young but it was one of the most fruitful experiences of my life and I've never regretted one minute.
Julia also taught me how to be "grand" in the kitchen without making someone feel small for not knowing enough. Her ability to command her space and love her students at the same time is part of the essence that made her an outstanding teacher.
Julia was very sensitive to human relations, something all of us can take and bring back home from our travels. Unfortunately, there will always be ugly people who view human relations as an opportunity to ponder the worse in everything. I find the key to living a joyous life is figuring out a way to keep those people as far away as possible.
Julia also taught me how to be "grand" in the kitchen without making someone feel small for not knowing enough. Her ability to command her space and love her students at the same time is part of the essence that made her an outstanding teacher.
Julia was very sensitive to human relations, something all of us can take and bring back home from our travels. Unfortunately, there will always be ugly people who view human relations as an opportunity to ponder the worse in everything. I find the key to living a joyous life is figuring out a way to keep those people as far away as possible.
Aug 20th, 2004, 11:40 PM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not specific to France. If you feel uneased or defensive, it will show. People you interact with will pick the clues, consciously or unconsciously, and react negatively.
If you expect the best, you'll generally have pleasant interactions. If you expect to be scammed, dispised, mocked, you're likely going to have unpleasant vacations.
Of course you'll meet people who are nice no matter what, and people who are
nasty no matter what, but it's still true on the overall.
If you expect the best, you'll generally have pleasant interactions. If you expect to be scammed, dispised, mocked, you're likely going to have unpleasant vacations.
Of course you'll meet people who are nice no matter what, and people who are
nasty no matter what, but it's still true on the overall.
Aug 21st, 2004, 09:46 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is just silly stuff--don't get all bent out of shape if you're a Francophile:
"France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."
Mark Twain
"I just love the French. They taste like chicken." Hannibal Lecter
"Only thing worse than a Frenchman is a Frenchman who lives in Canada."
Ted Nugent
"Basically, the French are all peasants." Pablo Picasso
"France is miserable because it is filled with Frenchmen, and Frenchmen are miserable because they live in France." Mark Twain
"A Frenchman both common and noble is quite self-assured because he regards himself personally both in mind and body as irresistibly attractive to both men and women. This is why the French are constantly attacked by the Prussians and the English." Leo Tolstoy
"In France one must adapt oneself to the fragrance of a urinal."
Gertrude Stein
"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." General George S. Patton
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
Marge Simpson
"As far as I'm concerned, war always means failure" Jacques Chirac
"As far as France is concerned, you're right." Rush Limbaugh
"American tourists in Paris are reported to being yelled at, spit upon, and attacked by the French. Thank God things are getting back to normal." Jay Leno
"The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee." Regis Philbin
"The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know." P.J O'Rourke
"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!" Jay Leno
"The French will only agree to go to war when we've proven we've found
truffles in Iraq." Dennis Miller
What do you expect from a culture and a nation that exerted more of its
national will fighting against Disney World and Big Macs than the Nazis?
Dennis Miller
How can you expect to govern a country that has two hundred and forty-six kinds of cheese? Charles de Gaulle
"France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."
Mark Twain
"I just love the French. They taste like chicken." Hannibal Lecter
"Only thing worse than a Frenchman is a Frenchman who lives in Canada."
Ted Nugent
"Basically, the French are all peasants." Pablo Picasso
"France is miserable because it is filled with Frenchmen, and Frenchmen are miserable because they live in France." Mark Twain
"A Frenchman both common and noble is quite self-assured because he regards himself personally both in mind and body as irresistibly attractive to both men and women. This is why the French are constantly attacked by the Prussians and the English." Leo Tolstoy
"In France one must adapt oneself to the fragrance of a urinal."
Gertrude Stein
"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me." General George S. Patton
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
Marge Simpson
"As far as I'm concerned, war always means failure" Jacques Chirac
"As far as France is concerned, you're right." Rush Limbaugh
"American tourists in Paris are reported to being yelled at, spit upon, and attacked by the French. Thank God things are getting back to normal." Jay Leno
"The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee." Regis Philbin
"The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know." P.J O'Rourke
"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!" Jay Leno
"The French will only agree to go to war when we've proven we've found
truffles in Iraq." Dennis Miller
What do you expect from a culture and a nation that exerted more of its
national will fighting against Disney World and Big Macs than the Nazis?
Dennis Miller
How can you expect to govern a country that has two hundred and forty-six kinds of cheese? Charles de Gaulle
Aug 21st, 2004, 09:49 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you elaine, and Bravo, Powell!
My first cookbook was a Julia Child cookbook..I did not have the nerve to open it for years. ( that I was a bad cook was quite an understatement)..but over the years , I grew more brave and loved her from her shows, so I thought I would learn and do her proud.
And I think I have..I will miss her~
My first cookbook was a Julia Child cookbook..I did not have the nerve to open it for years. ( that I was a bad cook was quite an understatement)..but over the years , I grew more brave and loved her from her shows, so I thought I would learn and do her proud.
And I think I have..I will miss her~
Aug 21st, 2004, 10:40 AM
#11
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rufus, since I adore anti-political correctness, I found your post very amusing. I can laugh heartily at such things without affecting my love and admiration for a perfect soufflé or crème anglaise.
Aug 21st, 2004, 12:14 PM
#13
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
21 Aug: Larrry King's got a Julia tribute special on tonight . . . can't wait
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/
Aug 21st, 2004, 12:49 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I should also mention that my closest friends in Paris, whom I've known since my high school years in Ohio (foreign exchange students), did not vote for Chirac (or, God forbid, Le Pen), are not pleased with the current political climate, and were just as devastated by 9/11 as we were. They often remind me, "If 9/11 had happened here, America wouldn't hesitate to lend a helping hand and France would accept."
Not everyone fits into a stereotype and a sense of humor is a good thing. And, oh, how Julia could make me chuckle.
Not everyone fits into a stereotype and a sense of humor is a good thing. And, oh, how Julia could make me chuckle.
