Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise. You can't help but want to snap a picture of the sign when ambling through Shakepeare and Company in Paris. But did you know it's forbidden to take pictures inside the famous bookstore? Then again, the French are not known to behave in public. Case in point: France's president–who was spotted in the wee hours of the night, outside his alleged mistress's nest. His getaway vehicle? A scooter!
They French are having a heyday with the scandal–known as the l'affaire Closer (after the name of the magazine that published the compromising pictures). They might have fun with today's photo, too–pointing out that their president took the words of wisdom to heart!
Could President Hollande's alleged mistress be an angel compared to his current missis, Valérie Trierweiler–famously known as "The Rottweiller." And is France's first lady (a girlfriend of the President's) still Première Dame de France? Inquiring minds want to know! Les esprits curieux veulent savoir!
une braguette (brag-et)
: zipper, fly
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Audio File and Example Sentence
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Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire "politique de la braguette"?
What does "zipper politics" mean?
Improve your French pronunciation with these Exercises in French Phonetics
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
By now you may have heard about the French president's mistress. I meant to talk about this in the previous post, but Conscience waved her finger once again:
"What's the point in spreading rumors–à quoi bon faire courir le bruit? You'd do well to mind your own beeswax! Mieux vaut t'occuper de tes oignons!"
Dear Reader, as you are my witness, I did certainly mind my own business, or "take care of my onions"–and my snap peas and my parsley and my fava beans! I sowed hundreds of seeds this week. Anything but give into the temptation to gossip!
But not to acknowledge the country's current scandal would be to act as though one lived in Lala Land and not France (never mind the two are synonymous).
And so here's a brief run-down via the highlighted vocab words below (after all this is a language journal and not a tabloid!).
La Casque – "The Helmet"
It all began when the president was spotted wearing his casque, or helmet, in the middle of the night. Shouldn't he be wearing a nightcap instead? This was the million-dollar question. And as he hopped onto his scooter and sped away from his alleged lover's borrowed apartment (only 500 meters from his presidental pad!) he was caught by a paparazzo. (Side note: The same paparazzo that snapped a photo of Mitterand's illegitimate daughter)
Jean-Marc snapped this photo of the newsstand and la dernière nouvelle!
La Belle Nana – "The Hot Chick" or "The Doll" or "The Babe"
Holland's purported love interest, 41-year-old Julie Gayet, is younger than his girlfriend by 6 or 7 years. She is also a relatively unknown actress who has dozens of films to her credit, including "Shall We Kiss?", "Les Gens Qui S'Aiment" (People Who love each other) and "Chaos and Desire"…
Photo credit Mireille Ampilhac
While Julie hid out all week the plot thickened… a report surfaced that she was recently awarded a seat at the prestigious Villa Medicis jury! The website "Express" writes:
Francois Hollande's alleged mistress has been awarded one of the most prestigious jobs in French public life, amid unconfirmed claims that she is four months pregnant.
Enceinte? – "Pregnant?"
Those tabloids sure know how to sensational things! Who knows if the alleged mistress is enceinte but it sure begs the question: If it's true will Julie be the next Première Dame? Can there be two First Ladies? Can girlfriends be First Ladies? Will he marry her? Which her? Can you boot a First Lady out against her will? The honorable role is currently under questioning–what with France's unmarried or "celibataire" president.
(Side note: former president Nicolas Sarkozy must be having a good chuckle after taking the heat of marrying a Top Model when he split from First Lady, Cécilia Attias–who made headline news in France this morning:
"Cécilia Attias réclame un vrai statut de "première dame" (I'm having a hard time translating this one, but one thing's sure: all these women are demanding something!) (And if there is one thing President Hollande has never demanded any woman that is marriage (see two sections down….)
Photo by "Jackolan1"
Le Toubib – Doctor
When Valérie Trierweiler found out her boyfriend, the president, was potentially involved with the actress, JuJu, she went straight to le toubib. More than seeing a doctor, she checked herself into the hospital. While some French find it no more than a dramatic ploy, I think it does a lot to deflate the "grand legend" that the French are emotional toughies when it comes to la trahison, infidelity. No they're not! They break down just like anybody else!
Se Moquer de – To Poke Fun at"
The French are having a lot of fun with the Françoise-Julie-Valérie-and Ségolène imbrolio (Ségolène is the politician who ran for president before him–and mother of his 4 children whom he replaced with Valérie, pictured above). Someone even made a video game called "Aidez François à rejoindre Julie!" (Help François get to Julie!). In the video game, you see François riding his scooter towards Julie's apartment–when two hurdles appear (Valérie and Ségolène, dressed in jogging attire).
Here's a peek at that (you may need to click over to French-Word-A-Day.com to see it. It will definitely give you a chuckle after reading up on the current scandal!
J'me casse maintenant! – Gotta go now!
So much for gossip mongering. I feel better (much less guilty) when I'm minding my onions, that is, minding my own business! Off now to toss out some more seeds. It's raining here in the South of France–perfect for "setting" future sunflowers–and tomatoes and green beans, too! And far far away from the glamorous and complicated capital!
Comments
To respond to today's story, click here. Have anything to add to the news? Were you aware of it? Should the president's private life be fodder for newspapers (and blogs?) Does a politician's love life affect his work? Comments welcome here.
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“La Trouvaille”–a true find in Provence! Affordable vacation rental in this beautiful old stone house in the charming village of Sablet.
New rental in Provence! La Baume des Pelerins, in Sablet–spacious, comfortable the perfect place to return to after a busy day’s sightseeing, bicycling or hiking.
"A nice way to start your day with a short read and a new word."
Thank you very much, Delilah, for your helpful book review of Blossoming in Provence!:
Great way to learn French …almost as good as taking a trip to the south of France. The writing is wonderful a nice way to start your day with a short read and a new word.
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My friend CJ reposted a clever diddy on Facebook. But I think the picture it's on is copyrighted so I'm reproducing the saying here (on a picture I took of a cheese shop in Salernes). Enjoy, and thanks for sharing this post with a friend!
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Thanks for your information. It is great to get a first hand perspective. Rather than the awful opinions of ill informed American commentators.
Thanks for your information. It is great to get a first hand perspective. Rather than the awful opinions of ill informed American commentators.
My French friend had a different perspective when asked about the affair: ” C’est le cote privé, quant a la “premiere dame” elle n’est pas élue! Ici, il est plus grave d’avoir des comptes offshore!”
My French friend had a different perspective when asked about the affair: ” C’est le cote privé, quant a la “premiere dame” elle n’est pas élue! Ici, il est plus grave d’avoir des comptes offshore!”
Speaking of ‘zipper politics’. Did you see the cartoon in Canard Enchainé today? Moi President? The French are not letting up. What was he thinking? OH, that’s right..he doesn’t know how to think.
Speaking of ‘zipper politics’. Did you see the cartoon in Canard Enchainé today? Moi President? The French are not letting up. What was he thinking? OH, that’s right..he doesn’t know how to think.
Oh,the French! How far they have fallen! My husband and I were living in Paris when President Mitterrand died.No one seem to bat an eye that Monsieur President had a lover and daughter living in one of the wings of The Elysee´ Palace!
Now they are just so American..
Oh,the French! How far they have fallen! My husband and I were living in Paris when President Mitterrand died.No one seem to bat an eye that Monsieur President had a lover and daughter living in one of the wings of The Elysee´ Palace!
Now they are just so American..
Very interesting, especially the issue of serial mistresses & no wives. How does this work with legal rights, property & children?
Very interesting, especially the issue of serial mistresses & no wives. How does this work with legal rights, property & children?
For most of my 13 year sojourn in New Orleans the Louisiana governor was known as the “Silver Zipper.” Well known for his self-acknowledged lack of integrity he later spent 8 years in prison for corruption.
For most of my 13 year sojourn in New Orleans the Louisiana governor was known as the “Silver Zipper.” Well known for his self-acknowledged lack of integrity he later spent 8 years in prison for corruption.
O la la! My lips are zipped on this one! 😉
O la la! My lips are zipped on this one! 😉
I too am guilty of snapping photos in Shakespeare and Company 😉
I too am guilty of snapping photos in Shakespeare and Company 😉
I love the phrase “zipper politics.” While I do think that even a president can keep some parts of his life private, Hollande seems to be taking advantage of that. I would begin to worry about a president with serial mistresses and no wives. It’s fine if he doesn’t want to get married and has a lot of girlfriends à la George Clooney. But if he’s constantly starting up new, secret relationships with another woman before being man enough to end a relationship with a previous woman then I start wondering about his character. And when I wonder about his character I wonder about his job performance as president.
And don’t get me started on the more important security issues these dalliances can bring when he’s president of a major nation.
I love the phrase “zipper politics.” While I do think that even a president can keep some parts of his life private, Hollande seems to be taking advantage of that. I would begin to worry about a president with serial mistresses and no wives. It’s fine if he doesn’t want to get married and has a lot of girlfriends à la George Clooney. But if he’s constantly starting up new, secret relationships with another woman before being man enough to end a relationship with a previous woman then I start wondering about his character. And when I wonder about his character I wonder about his job performance as president.
And don’t get me started on the more important security issues these dalliances can bring when he’s president of a major nation.
Through the centuries, not much changes. This story is much like a Jean Plaidy (Eleanor Hibbert) historical novel about the kings of France!
The wall inscriptions hit me from two directions. “Dis a Brie” brought on a chuckle…very clever. The “angels in disguise” is inspiration to actually write the thank you I have been penning in my head. An encounter with a person who helped me in a dire situation was a true act of kindness..and not at all random…just part of who this person is, I think. Each of your posts is so thought provoking it can help start the day with an energy and appreciation for what is good in life. Thank you for that, Kristin~
Through the centuries, not much changes. This story is much like a Jean Plaidy (Eleanor Hibbert) historical novel about the kings of France!
The wall inscriptions hit me from two directions. “Dis a Brie” brought on a chuckle…very clever. The “angels in disguise” is inspiration to actually write the thank you I have been penning in my head. An encounter with a person who helped me in a dire situation was a true act of kindness..and not at all random…just part of who this person is, I think. Each of your posts is so thought provoking it can help start the day with an energy and appreciation for what is good in life. Thank you for that, Kristin~
.. We are strangers to ‘zipper politics’ here in the States. In my lifetime, JFK was certainly no angel, and LBJ was a known womanizer, then we had Bill Clinton who was famous for his dalliances outside his marriage.. now there are rumblings about an Obama split due to ‘escapades’… let me see, have I missed anyone? Mr. Hollande seems to have problems avec son pantalons!… keeping them on. Politics, sex, love… is anything jucier for the tabloids and the public… stay tuned… Judi Dunn, Tallahassee
.. We are strangers to ‘zipper politics’ here in the States. In my lifetime, JFK was certainly no angel, and LBJ was a known womanizer, then we had Bill Clinton who was famous for his dalliances outside his marriage.. now there are rumblings about an Obama split due to ‘escapades’… let me see, have I missed anyone? Mr. Hollande seems to have problems avec son pantalons!… keeping them on. Politics, sex, love… is anything jucier for the tabloids and the public… stay tuned… Judi Dunn, Tallahassee
… Je suis desole…. I meant NO STRANGERS TO ZIPPER POLITICS! JD
… Je suis desole…. I meant NO STRANGERS TO ZIPPER POLITICS! JD
Just cannot help wondering why the paparazzo was there in the middle of the night! A tip?
Just cannot help wondering why the paparazzo was there in the middle of the night! A tip?
We had heard of this on the Boston news…just that Valerie was upset about losing her office, and not coming to the White House in Feb,,,nothing about losing her man. No other details were released here…no baby mentioned. And yes, I am also guilty of snapping a photo in S & Co, of my son enjoying the comfort of the upstairs sofa nook. Smile!
We had heard of this on the Boston news…just that Valerie was upset about losing her office, and not coming to the White House in Feb,,,nothing about losing her man. No other details were released here…no baby mentioned. And yes, I am also guilty of snapping a photo in S & Co, of my son enjoying the comfort of the upstairs sofa nook. Smile!
I get Le Figaro on my smartphone and they are having a field day with Hollande’s fiasco. It’s similar to the Clinton days in America’s past.
It sure diverted the attention away from his failure to bring un-employment down in France as promised.
I get Le Figaro on my smartphone and they are having a field day with Hollande’s fiasco. It’s similar to the Clinton days in America’s past.
It sure diverted the attention away from his failure to bring un-employment down in France as promised.
The affair of your president was written about in our local paper today, stating that the French people are not showing much empathy for the hospitalized current first lady….stating also that that is “a reflection of a French willingness to forgive infidelity by men in public office, regardless of the damage it causes their women”. It’s a sad fact of life that men do this….no matter where, what country, or whether or not they are in positions of power,or who will be hurt by such actions. The politique de la braguette will live on!
The affair of your president was written about in our local paper today, stating that the French people are not showing much empathy for the hospitalized current first lady….stating also that that is “a reflection of a French willingness to forgive infidelity by men in public office, regardless of the damage it causes their women”. It’s a sad fact of life that men do this….no matter where, what country, or whether or not they are in positions of power,or who will be hurt by such actions. The politique de la braguette will live on!
One’ private life should remain private. Isn’t that the French attitude? Besides, except for de Gaulle, can you think of any French president who did not have a mistress or two?
One’ private life should remain private. Isn’t that the French attitude? Besides, except for de Gaulle, can you think of any French president who did not have a mistress or two?
Thank you, Kristin, for explaining the situation. I am perplexed. The word “mistress” has a negative connotation to me and implies an adulterous affair that breaks marriage vows. The president is not married to his current girlfriend (although I acknowledge that they have been together for a relatively long time, and I gather that she lives with him), so I am intrigued that his seeing someone else would produce such a scandal. Perhaps it is because he did it on the sly (and perhaps eluded his security guards)? And the notion that either woman would be considered the “First Lady” of France amuses me, also. The love scandals in the US have involved married men who are cheating on their wives, which, to me, is completely different. The French can be intrigued that he may be breaking up with his long-time girlfriend, but the accusations of adultery are a bit much.
Thank you, Kristin, for explaining the situation. I am perplexed. The word “mistress” has a negative connotation to me and implies an adulterous affair that breaks marriage vows. The president is not married to his current girlfriend (although I acknowledge that they have been together for a relatively long time, and I gather that she lives with him), so I am intrigued that his seeing someone else would produce such a scandal. Perhaps it is because he did it on the sly (and perhaps eluded his security guards)? And the notion that either woman would be considered the “First Lady” of France amuses me, also. The love scandals in the US have involved married men who are cheating on their wives, which, to me, is completely different. The French can be intrigued that he may be breaking up with his long-time girlfriend, but the accusations of adultery are a bit much.
I had a field day reading this article and a few giggles 🙂 Thank you for making the morning of a French woman all the way to the Southwest of the USA !!
I had a field day reading this article and a few giggles 🙂 Thank you for making the morning of a French woman all the way to the Southwest of the USA !!
Although I love your stories about daily life, this was such a departure and so much fun! (Like gossiping with a girlfriend over my morning tea!) Thanks, Kristin!
Although I love your stories about daily life, this was such a departure and so much fun! (Like gossiping with a girlfriend over my morning tea!) Thanks, Kristin!
It’s all so silly, don’t you think? People love scandals though. I was wondering what a younger woman would see in an old guy. Maybe power is really seductive!
It’s all so silly, don’t you think? People love scandals though. I was wondering what a younger woman would see in an old guy. Maybe power is really seductive!
You made my day with the Hollander video!
You made my day with the Hollander video!
Laughing so hard that I misspelled Hollande. Desole.
Laughing so hard that I misspelled Hollande. Desole.
Great story Kristin — to answer: Yes, it is the tax payer’s business. We pay their salary! France is no different than the U.S. We elect these guys (usually guys) then they abuse the office. Hey, what George Clooney does, or any other private citizen —-we don’t really care —- because we are not paying for them! These people abuse their power — esp here in the U.S.——it is our business.
This stuff has been going on since biblical days. It is best to tend to one’s garden.
Be well!
Great story Kristin — to answer: Yes, it is the tax payer’s business. We pay their salary! France is no different than the U.S. We elect these guys (usually guys) then they abuse the office. Hey, what George Clooney does, or any other private citizen —-we don’t really care —- because we are not paying for them! These people abuse their power — esp here in the U.S.——it is our business.
This stuff has been going on since biblical days. It is best to tend to one’s garden.
Be well!
What can I say … I live in the land of Rob Ford! We get what we deserve, n’est-ce pas?
What can I say … I live in the land of Rob Ford! We get what we deserve, n’est-ce pas?