tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post111078566090448931..comments2023-12-23T20:39:16.612+01:00Comments on A Femme d'Un Certain Age: Why Aren't The French Content?Tish Jetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-8021530672638506602012-02-26T01:35:29.759+01:002012-02-26T01:35:29.759+01:00Like Diedre, I am reading Paris Was Ours but haven...Like Diedre, I am reading Paris Was Ours but haven't yet read that essay on parenting. <br /><br />I loved the first two comments and several others. It's been my impression that the French are interested in making life even better -- in perfection. That might be a reason for the grumbling. It's to see what needs improving from my US perspective!Susan Tinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11900811284963063686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-17113587081232795532012-01-22T23:38:26.775+01:002012-01-22T23:38:26.775+01:00Hello Tish, The book I am reading is called Paris...Hello Tish, The book I am reading is called Paris Was Ours by Penelope Rowlands. Thirty two writers reflect on the City of Light. I quoted from the chapter Parenting, French-Style written by Janine Di Giovani an Italian American, married to a Frenchman, residing in Paris. On the two occasions we have had the pleasure of visiting Paris, I found the people, men and women, to be charming and helpful. David and I leave Australia in a few weeks for an extended stay of 4 months. I am so excited looking forward to many, many hours of people watching. I can't sign off without saying I look forward to reading your blog every morning over my cup of tea.Deidrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-80825008040437567192012-01-22T18:56:43.945+01:002012-01-22T18:56:43.945+01:00My experience is that the French do tend to grumbl...My experience is that the French do tend to grumble however I get the impression it is more a habit than an in depth emotion, Maybe they are a little sunnier in the South.<br /> A more philosophical comment on "happiness" It is interesting how many people say "I am Happy or unhappy" an identity statement. Isn't it more about experiencing life. Once you label something the moment has passed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08902418849121978821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-53771521783406729772012-01-22T05:03:35.467+01:002012-01-22T05:03:35.467+01:00l too believe that happiness is a choice we make.
...l too believe that happiness is a choice we make.<br /><br />Taking pleasure in small things that delight the heart, and being grateful for all that is precious in our lives goes a long way toward creating a sense of happiness.Carolhttp://www.boudoirbandit.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-357112195838958802012-01-21T22:43:48.217+01:002012-01-21T22:43:48.217+01:00An interesting post.
For the French, perhaps it i...An interesting post. <br />For the French, perhaps it is a case of "you don't know what you've got until it's gone"? <br />I am amazed by the number of French people who have never travelled abroad and thus haven't had the opportunity to compare their lifestyle with those in other countries. Australians love to travel which tends to broaden our appreciation of other cultures and also for what we have at home.<br />Bisous<br />P.S. Been away from my computer this week so I'm catching up this morning- time is too tight.Elizabeth at Eiffel Tellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11054977148823539576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-22834063178650638992012-01-21T21:31:34.160+01:002012-01-21T21:31:34.160+01:00Happiness is an american idea, happiness for one m...Happiness is an american idea, happiness for one may not be the same for another...<br />Yes we French (I am a french woman) grumble but for us the meaning of happiness is mostly an appreciation of what makes life worth living, this why many Americans love to live in France.this elusive quality of life Actually in America it is the pursuit of happiness that is a right,a foreign concept to us. If we did not complain where would be our rights!!!<br /><br />Annie v.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-13142189814784834412012-01-21T19:15:26.331+01:002012-01-21T19:15:26.331+01:00deja pseu nailed it!
I also found Lost in Provence...deja pseu nailed it!<br />I also found Lost in Provence's reflection on language and how it ties to the French culture very very meaningful.<br />Great post.coffeeaddicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08719243899202995984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-66891408027287959272012-01-21T15:32:06.300+01:002012-01-21T15:32:06.300+01:00Oh how I loved this post. Here in Québec, Canada y...Oh how I loved this post. Here in Québec, Canada you will meet many an individual who continues to suffer from the rejection of France. While some might state Quebec was rejected, others will say they simply lost. You see here, people dream of what it would have been like if France had won the battle fought on the Plains of Abraham over 400 years ago against the English. Believe me this can still be the topic of a lovely dinner party where too much alcohol transports certain minds back to that battle.<br />So, as we struggle to maintain the French language and a culture that is more and more diluted by the multi-cultural infiltration of the rest of North America, parts of the population continue to hold on the dream of one day being a separate French union. <br />I think the best approach is to adopt the mindset that you wake up in the morning and make a conscious decision to be happy....c'est tout. And that goes for the Irish too!Donna@anangloinquébechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03074337849133414753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-18870284485648169562012-01-21T15:24:14.841+01:002012-01-21T15:24:14.841+01:00Deidre,
What is the book you're reading? Was...Deidre, <br /><br />What is the book you're reading? Was it written by an American?<br /><br />I'm constantly fascinated by the "outsider's" take on another culture. I wonder what drew the writer to that conclusion.<br /><br />Thank you everyone for your input.Tish Jetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865177127050648489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-49013080886603784412012-01-21T12:17:00.075+01:002012-01-21T12:17:00.075+01:00Wine, cheese, champagne - I'd be happy if I li...Wine, cheese, champagne - I'd be happy if I lived in France!That's Not My Agehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16052973075052114955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-10433226815070183652012-01-21T02:14:36.738+01:002012-01-21T02:14:36.738+01:00I am reading a book (yet another)on Paris at the m...I am reading a book (yet another)on Paris at the moment. The chapter on "Parenting French Style" is an insight into perhaps why the French are unhappy. I am surprised they aren't all in therapy. A quote from the book "....Frenchwomen raise French girls to become Frenchwomen -bitchy, competitive, antifraternal, unsmiling, the preternatural froide-ness." Umn!Deidrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-23739127728551214352012-01-21T00:30:22.889+01:002012-01-21T00:30:22.889+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07845538180460165661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-85857639640291014112012-01-20T23:37:33.692+01:002012-01-20T23:37:33.692+01:00I'm with pseu, complaining is a deep part of t...I'm with pseu, complaining is a deep part of the culture. The European cultures don't view 'being happy' as a right, as North Americans may. I'm not being scientific either, but it seems to me they endorse being alive, with all nuances of emotion, as a more realistic goal. Don't even get me started on the Irish.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-60346597083221870742012-01-20T21:55:50.025+01:002012-01-20T21:55:50.025+01:00I couldn't comment on the whys and wherefores ...I couldn't comment on the whys and wherefores of the French lack of happiness, but I think my daughter nailed it when she explained to me why French women, in Paris, anyway, usually have a twisted and bitter expression: their feet hurt. This was in response to my observation that on a hot day in the park, I had never seen so many bandages and bunions and corn plasters on feet as among the women sitting with their shoes off and blissful expressions on their faces. I also suspect that they consider happiness to be a state distinctly over and above general well-being, whereas I at least equate the two.Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14035642478179187618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-791450465533900852012-01-20T21:43:14.236+01:002012-01-20T21:43:14.236+01:00It's part of their socialist tradition, i.e., ...It's part of their socialist tradition, i.e., maybe if I complain long enough someone will fix it for me. Lovely place to visit but I couldn't live there.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859755625440254862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-45149430156196119252012-01-20T20:52:30.435+01:002012-01-20T20:52:30.435+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07845538180460165661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-35258512132764038242012-01-20T20:09:33.788+01:002012-01-20T20:09:33.788+01:00I like the lady who decided to be happy. It is a d...I like the lady who decided to be happy. It is a decision. Some people want to be happy (or content, or grateful) and some don't. <br /><br />Those who don't include my husband's mom, who sent <a href="http://diaryofagolddigger.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-which-i-have-not-much-to-say.html" rel="nofollow">this email on Christmas day: </a><br /><br />"Everything sucks and I get despondent."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-53202335327126839732012-01-20T20:04:34.672+01:002012-01-20T20:04:34.672+01:00I will add one thought (si vous permettez) - the m...I will add one thought <i>(si vous permettez)</i> - the many many French men and women I have known over (dare I admit) four decades are not <i>un</i>happy. <br /><br />And I believe that is a key factor.BigLittleWolfhttp://dailyplateofcrazy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-47454968326600973992012-01-20T20:02:13.948+01:002012-01-20T20:02:13.948+01:00Having studied, lived, and worked in France (as yo...Having studied, lived, and worked in France (as you know), and with a <i>penchant</i> for French men (as you also know), I've often wondered about this myself.<br /><br />It certainly seems to be part of the French culture (character?) to be "critical" as in discerning (often bordering on what Americans consider negative); perhaps, indeed, because of the emphasis on questioning and the pleasure on a good argument.<br /><br />Let's face it - with a language as gorgeous as <i>le français</i>, how could one <i>not</i> enjoy any opportunity for its usage?<br /><br />I despair (a bit) at the thought that the Happiness "Trend" may be sweeping France, but I find difficulty believing that it will catch on... There's something to be said for centuries worth of deeply rooted culture / perception / humor, and perhaps - beneath the appearances of "unhappiness" remains that sense that France is, nonetheless, a remarkable Land of Plenty, indeed. <br /><br />Deliciously intriguing post, Tish.BigLittleWolfhttp://dailyplateofcrazy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-58398399801164781092012-01-20T19:45:11.614+01:002012-01-20T19:45:11.614+01:00Love this post! I certainly am french when it come...Love this post! I certainly am french when it comes to sleeping...max 6 hours a night and never goes to the gym but walk everywhere . However, many years ago, i left my french side behind and embraced american optimism, and counting my blessings rather than dwelling on the "what's wrong"Francine Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042631088215474109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-5384387156720097132012-01-20T19:28:47.129+01:002012-01-20T19:28:47.129+01:00Tish--I especially like number 6. Even when I don...Tish--I especially like number 6. Even when I don't feel like it, (it is a lot of work, after all) having people for dinner lifts my spirits and forces me to clean my house (or part of it). When it's over I say,"We should do that more often!" Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03637830726081805289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-45061247712979237842012-01-20T17:37:34.712+01:002012-01-20T17:37:34.712+01:00Hello Tish
France is a wonderful country and ther...Hello Tish<br /><br />France is a wonderful country and there is so much to be thankful for.<br />When the barometer drops down and is at the level of selfishness and self indulgence, unhappiness is also at this level. <br /><br />I love the analogy of 12 hugs being equivalent to an opiate.<br /><br />To hugs x 12<br />Helenhelen tilstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02791882664528962799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-28535670185236809382012-01-20T17:13:25.073+01:002012-01-20T17:13:25.073+01:00I agree with Pseu and Hostess. As a naturally crab...I agree with Pseu and Hostess. As a naturally crabby person, I looked around and realized I was happy (not in the sense of constant ecstasy, but generally being in a good place). I try to remind myself of that every day. Must go give Mr FS a hug and start keeping count!frugalscholarhttp://frugalscholar.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-1111484557095576692012-01-20T17:00:14.116+01:002012-01-20T17:00:14.116+01:00I adopted an attitude of gratitude and it turned m...I adopted an attitude of gratitude and it turned my life around.hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8632687405116920387.post-8132251997910633582012-01-20T16:45:36.132+01:002012-01-20T16:45:36.132+01:00"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pu..."Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." <br />― Nathaniel HawthorneRosiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17998770670566769880noreply@blogger.com