clairobscur

Aduchamp 1 :

We have the benefit of sight. Those are wet sausage, not the slighest doubt. I'm french, that's food. I should know.

Proenza_Preschooler

St. Cirq, I was taught to say, "Ou est la cabinet?" Is that not correct for toilet?

However, my French teacher at BBN was an alcoholic.

Thinny

laughingd2

Thinny,

Your French teacher was probably asking "Where is the liquor cabinet?"

StCirq

Well, come to think of it, Thinny, I think I was also taught that at one point or another, too.

But my guess is, it's about as archaic as I am.

Lawchick

I was taught to say le WC

Though I've always asked for les toilettes.

Lawchick

They are wet raw sausages - why are we even discussing this...dried sausages don't hang like that.....Why am I even entering into this?

kerouac

"Où sont les cabinets?" in rural areas if speaking to old people.

stokebailey

Or, as the French would say, saucisses.

Lawchick, it's because we care.

mkrrpc

just got back from my first trip to Paris... I am a devoted NY Times reader, and took my laptop with me (and wife and 3 kids 21-15). I had the pleasure of reading the article near the end of my stay, and found her insights confirming what I felt. No, I did not bump into any foreign officials (but I would assume that if I had her job, that would not be unusual). As a history major, 30 years ago, I found her take on the french and their looking backward very true, as well as their inability to admit a mistake... I found it remarkable that they commemorate their VietNam and Algiers experience at the Arc. I don't think Americans would be glamorizing those kind of disastrous wars.... we've had 7 years of NOT admitting a mistake from our govt.... that's enough 'pour moi'

minx

Once again I become nervous with posting ANYTHING on this forum. So much sniping and nit picking.Yes, it is certainly helpful but some are far too critical. I think it has lost it's objective.As for this article...I quite enjoyed it and took it for what it was intended.Lighten up Fodorites

stokebailey

Speaking of wet floppy sausages:

Anyone note new Fodors home page photo of a celebrity chef draped with what I think JRH would call saussices? Is this a new fad?

And speaking of home page photos:

Photo of pampered 7 year olds apparently getting spa treatment with cucumbers over their eyes has got to go. Notion that they need expensive rejuvenating is annoying.

rex

This alone, contradicts my experience with the proper degree of <i>politesse</i> to observe in everyday French life.

&lt;&lt; Always say “bonjour” to the bus driver... &gt;&gt;

I believe that would be

&quot;Bonjour, <font color="blue"><b><i>monsieur</i></b></font>&quot;...

or &quot;Bonjour madame&quot;, where warranted...

Best wishes,

Rex