July 08, 2010

The French

The French. I know this has very little to do with a blog on Russia but please indulge me. I have just read a great book while on holiday called "Talk to the snail" its all about the French, how they are and their culture. Lets write one about the Russians. The French are very polite to each other even when they are insulting you or insulting each other. They love fine cheeses, food and wine. They have a unique approach to love, sex, education and driving. I would love to hear on anyone's opinion on Russians and their attitude to these things. The book is very funny and I recommend it to anyone who goes to France or who likes France. They have got a lot right and make the UK look bad (which we already knew anyway). They are not perfect as a nation no nation is, but still its interesting reading and very funny.

Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French

10 comments:

  1. I met French and I wouldn't say they "are very polite to each other even when they are insulting you or insulting each other". Probably it was like that before, some time ago.

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  2. I have been involved with the French for almost 20 years. They a a nation of polite people trust me. Read that book it is very funny and true.

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  3. I read this guy's first book . . . something like A Year in the Merde. It's fiction, but based on his experiences living/working in Paris and also very funny and a good look at French culture.

    Have you seen those Xenophobe's Guides [insert country name here]. They are VERY funny and pretty spot on.

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  5. He has lived in Paris for 12 years and wrote "a year in merde", "merde actually", "merde happens" and his latest factual one "Talk to the Snail". I recommend it he says the truth. Since half my family are French I know what he means. Its really funny and I think spot on.

    Dog shit in the streets, dating, renting or buying a flat, customer service etc. They are still very polite even when they insult foreigners and each other. Their laws and culture is still caught in Napoleonic times!!

    I think he is a Brit or an American its hard to tell but he is a journalist of some kind or was.

    and...."Have you seen those Xenophobe's Guides [insert country name here]. They are VERY funny and pretty spot on."

    No I don't know what you mean??? what are they called and the author? I would love to read a similar thing on Russians but have yet to find such a book short of "Living in Moscow" which I found a disappointment and very dry.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 08, 2010

    I know what you mean the dog do-da you have to walk round on the Paris streets is an exercise in its self just to get from A to B without getting your shoes brown!!!

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  7. AnonymousJuly 09, 2010

    Xenophobe's Guide to the Russians by Vladimir Zhelvis, ISBN 1902825411.

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  8. Thanks anonymous I had a look at that book but the "Xenophobe" is not a word I really like since I do not have a fear of foreigners only new cultures that area in opposite to my own English up bringing. I grew up in the 60's and 70's in a village. Case in point.

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  9. I love Stephen Clarke, his books are hilarious! You must read the Merde serie! Highly recommended! The guy is a Brit. (Went to read Xenophobe's Guide to the Russians".)

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  10. I love the French - lived in Lyon for a bit. Love also this author - have read two of his other books about his experiences in France. Looking forward to this one - thanks for the recommendation!

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