Comments for The Secret Life of France

Comment on About The Secret Life of France by Fiona

Fiona — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:20:08 +0000

Wow! Perhaps you would be happier in the UK????

Comment on About The Secret Life of France by Kathryn

Kathryn — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:24:35 +0000

Lucy. I nearly choked (with joy) to find a book on France that wasn’t about renovating a house or “food ‘n wine”. Bravo for exposing some of the more shadowy regions that the Anglo saxons dont even understand, nevermind wanna talk about! I read it in no time shouting “yeah yeah it’s all true” etc, like your other bloggers, but must say that it only touched on this vast can-o-worms called France. I would dearly love to take what you have thrown light on and expand on it in a sequel (!!) including as I go, other areas of psycopathy and dysfunction such as The Family (not always as cosy as one would hope) The Health Service (I am a nurse in the O.R.in central France) the lack of help for those with mental problems. The complete absence of alternative ideas or methods of self help. The lack of comedy. Johny Halliday (oh God JOHNNY HALLIDAY. Run away!!) The highest incidence of suicide in Europe. Why are more than half the population on tranquilisers? Near total absence of anything spiritual for those who have questions. Why cant they sing or create music (they can mimick but not create. Well, nothing I want to listen to anyway)
What’s the obsession with putains? Give it a rest. It’s boring. Their miscarriages of justice are chilling often leaving innocent men in prisons for decades before letting them out with no littigation or culpability on the side of the law that put them there wrongly; the famous gendarmes having forced any old confession out of their victim for want of a longer lunch break or an early friday finish! (I’m guessing) Then there are the horrific murders that go for ever with no one being caught despite writing yearly anonymous messages to the police with clues!! Gawd, it’s like a comedy! and WHAT murders they are! I dont believe crime writers with carte blanche could dream up twisted events such as those that come to pass here. But it’s all “O.K.” because it’s in the name of “passion” and they simply couldn’t help themselves. . . .(!) Oh dear. Best start trying then what?
I have worked in an O.R. all my working life and am now 50 something. The behaviour I have seen here in France (their operating theatre) is unlike anything I could have prepared myself for. This subject is not worth starting on in a blogg message as it requires a book of its own. However it falls far short of what I have been used to in Blighty. The lack of professionalism, the foaming at the mouth with that special “passion” they have while shouting and gesticulating like crazed Wall Street “buyers”, the personal lives that intervene at every moment (we can do better leaving those at home no?) those huge visible egos that cant be camophlaged; the petulance and pouting (oh cringe) and the downright cruelty towards one another, not to mention the poor patients, more often than not riddled with one cancer or another. CA VA? they shout all the live long day just before putting them to sleep. I only ever heard ONE single brave soul who was pissed off enough to say. . .”well obviously not. That’s why I’m here” I nearly kissed him for DARING not to answer robotically like the rest of the nation. I totally agree with your take on that silly “mega-speak” thingy you mentioned Lucy, where they can be “triggered” by just the intonations of voice and certain key phrases and ways of speaking. You got to add “HEIN?” after 100% of what you say, otherwise they ignore you. Just dont hear you.
I’m a veggie and provoke a small theatrical “production” every lunchtime when I raise the lid of my lunchbox. Much tittering and pointing and questioning, and awe and wonder etc. This is after 5 years of “the lunch box” We still cant get over it. . .remind us why you dont eat meat. . .again? They nudge eachother and giggle and then just look blank as if summat just hasn’t quite ‘computed” in there, when I say “dont like it” or “not good for you” or sometimes “killing animals is strongly linked to ignorance” depending how I feel on the day. Weird no? It’s not even an outside option here. Not even ENTERED their heads that there’s another side of the debate. It could be seen as cruel. I only ever answer their questions and NEVER talk about veggetarianism without being engaged in conversation on the subject. Just a small example of those many ‘blank-spots’ in the French psyche. There are thousands but I was so pleased to have found someone who gave a more correct take on the place. Whew.
Good luck with your second husband! I look forward to more books.

Comment on The Delete Button by Fabian Sasi

Fabian Sasi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:16:19 +0000

There's a tremendous amount involving polish immigrants moving into great britain nowadays. Listed here is a short overview of their immigration law via belgium to the united kingdom.emerytura w anglii

Comment on Notes from a Rebel Island by Jos

Jos — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:30:04 +0000

Loved your book. Indeed so much that sending a copy to my mother over in Valleraugue.

I agree with previous poster about Anglo Saxon. I have this with one of my Belgian friends who is quite big on The Anglo Saxon Conspiracy.

I am part of The Conspiracy because I am white and moderately successful. I get the impression that if I had a darker skin that I wouldn’t be so responsible. Indeed if I had a Scottish or Welsh accent I think I could be let off the hook. Though having a US accent also makes you part of the gang.

Anyhow you’ve probably had much more experience of this term. Might even be a good subject for the blog.

Comment on The DSK case and the Sisterhood by France, US and UK: Misogynistic Patriarchies | The French Connection

France, US and UK: Misogynistic Patriarchies | The French Connection — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:59:30 +0000

[...] Knowing, as I did, Strauss-Kahn’s reputation as a sexual predator and philanderer, I was not drawn to the man, even before he went to America and I doubt that I would have voted for him, but I still felt queasy at the sight of those shaming placards outside the courtroom on the day of his release, or of the abusive cry of: “DSK, you’re a sick bastard and your wife is even sicker.” CONTINUE [...]

Comment on DSK by France, US and UK: Misogynistic Patriarchies | The French Connection

France, US and UK: Misogynistic Patriarchies | The French Connection — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:59:05 +0000

[...] Lucy Wadham wrote a great book about France entitled “The Secret Life of France”. Of all the books I’ve read about French culture, it’s the best for helping one to suss out what is really going on in France. She’s got a blog also called “The Secret Life of France” and the following two items are excerpted from there. Inquiring minds will want to read her book and check out the full articles. [...]

Comment on About The Secret Life of France by Matthew Peach

Matthew Peach — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:55:37 +0000

Loved it also and read it in about three bites while staying in Paris over Christmas-New Year. However having worked in and visited France fairly extensively I thought the title would be more accurate if it were The Secret Life of the Parisians.

Comment on Culture Envy by Lucy Wadham

Lucy Wadham — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:02:23 +0000

You really should read my book!

Comment on Culture Envy by Piotr Messiaen

Piotr Messiaen — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:41:57 +0000

A life of ease? The truth is surely more complex: the French have one of the highest suicide rates in Europe and are massive consumers of anti-depressants; they are currently amongst the most pessimistic about their economic prospects. Many expatriate French people in London find it relaxing to be in a culture that is less obsessed with image, fashions, the proper way to do things, grammatical tyranny…..and they envy our humour, which makes life not only more palatable, but enjoyable and yes, easeful.

Comment on DSK by Rosabell

Rosabell — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:54:37 +0000

I dislike DSK but he WAS a victim. No doubt about it, ever!

Comment on Notes from a Rebel Island by A C Jenman

A C Jenman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:30:39 +0000

I am half way through The Secret Life of France and am really enjoying it! I lived in Tours as a student and absolutely loved the place so your book is bringing back many happy memories, and clearing up a few mysteries for me.

Mark, I too loved the insult ‘collabo’ – I’d never heard it before, but I love having a few sneaky insults up my sleeve in French. Not sure I’ll ever dare to use it though!

Comment on The Book by Mademoiselle Slimalicious

Mademoiselle Slimalicious — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:07:37 +0000

Hi Lucy, I’m a blog writer from Australia (http://mademoiselleslimalicious.blogspot.com/) and also a big fan of your book “The Secret Life of France”. I am French myself, been living overseas for the last 6 years. Your book has helped me understand myself better. I would love to publish an interview of yourself for my readers, with a focus on pressure on French women to be beautiful and slim at all costs. Would you be interested? This could increase the sales of your book in Australia. Please contact me at cyndiebowen (at) gmail (dot) com – I look forward to hearing from you.

Comment on About The Secret Life of France by Mademoiselle Slimalicious

Mademoiselle Slimalicious — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:51:33 +0000

Hi Lucie, I read your book last year and really liked it. I’m a French woman, I’ve been living overseas for the last 6 years (currently living in Sydney, Australia with my Australian partner). Your book has helped me better to understand how French people and “anglo-saxons” are different, and most importantly it has helped me understand better myself and my peers in France.

Comment on The Book by Jean-Christophe MERLANT

Jean-Christophe MERLANT — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:31:06 +0000

By the way , is there a French translation in the pipeline ?
J-Christophe

Comment on The Book by Jean-Christophe MERLANT

Jean-Christophe MERLANT — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 03:04:58 +0000

Hello Lucy. Loved your book; as a French leaving in Australia it … helped me to understand better where I am from and why after 22 years in Australia , I married … a french woman. Then I realised how french I am and wondered where it might be coming from (yes from France obviously) ; somehow I thought that leaving that far away would filter my blood and add some Anglo bits in it ; well it probably does to a certain point. With 4 kids , 2 born here and 2 born in France , question remains about where we want to be next and … you chose les Cevennes !
Your book landed in my hands cause a 14 y.o who saw the book on his way back from England to Australia, wanted to make a gift to his mum … he saw France on it, she loves France , she is an English friend. Conversations about belonging and comparison never end.
Many thanks .
J-Christophe