Sunflowers–and come see the exotic pink bird in our garden… at the next wine tasting here at Mas des Brun, August 6th. We hope to see you! Contact jm.espinasse@gmail.com for details.
le flamant rose (flamahn rowz)
: pink flamingo
Audio File: listen to today's word and example sentence, read by Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wave file
Flamant Rose. En Camargues, les flamants roses sont des espèces protegées. Pink Flamingo. In the Camargue, pink flamingos are a protected species..
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
"Reverse Culture Shock"
After missing the London-Nice connection, Jackie’s bag made it all the way home from Denver! My 16-year-old was sleeping off her long voyage when Chronoposte arrived with the beat-up valise, but when Jackie awoke her first instinct was to ask for that bag.
“It’s in the garage, Sweety. Have Max carry it up for you.” I left my daughter to root through her suitcase (sur place, for there was apparently no time to wait for her brother!). Moments later I heard a knock on my bedroom door.
“Mom, there’s a surprise for you in the garden….” Jackie said, wearing that crooked smile her father wears when he’s up to something.
I couldn’t help but wonder what my husband (assuming he was in on this) had installed, erected, or otherwise “fashioned” in the backyard. Would it be pleasing to the eye? Would it involve a thick band of silver tape as so many of his solution-inventions do?
Climbing the stone steps beside the garage I followed the girl in cutoffs, my heart swelling as her ponytail swept from side to side. How Jackie had changed in four weeks, after spending time with my sister and family in Colorado and Idaho!
“Mom. I need to take the TOEFL test. I want to go to the University of Colorado, in Boulder!” she announced, almost as soon as her plane landed….
TOEFL? Boulder? Go away from home? But that was a few years away! For now we were here together, here in a garden in the south of France–here on a treasure hunt! My eyes scanned the verger, its floor covered with paille. But nothing looked out of the ordinary … there was the comfrey and the row of chives I’d recently planted, the little plants leaning out of their toilet-paper roll jackets (which were supposed to eventually compost, according to the experts).
With an anxious motioning from my daughter, I moved on to Sector Two, where four raised beds made of local stone held a chaotic forest of herbs and vegetables. “Say ‘hot’ or ‘cold’, and help me find it!” I begged, when suddenly a bright something to my right began drenching my peripheral vision, in pink!
Turning, my eyes met a plastic pink flamingo.
"It’s from Heidi," Jackie pointed out.
Well, that was odd, I thought, staring at the unnatural object. Sort of kitch! Normally my sister has better taste than that.
It would be necessary to hide the thing. But would I remember to pull it out when my sister came to visit? In the words of Walter Scott, “Oh! What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” No! The whole scenario was too complicated. I’d have to fess up, and let my sister know that this one was a bomb. Not at all my style.
“Heidi said you would understand,” Jackie smiled, eager to know my thoughts.
Understand? Now it was I rooting through the pockets of my mind’s valise, trying to make associations. Pink flamingo… understand… pink flamingo? Little beads of sweat formed over my brow as I came close to failing The Recognition Test.
Was it something to do with our childhood, Heidi's and mine? My mind raced back to the Arizona desert, where coyotes and quail, and rattlesnakes roamed. Were there pink flamingos, too?
“Mom!” Jackie’s impatience woke me from my reverie. “Heidi said it’s something you (you Americans) do. You put these in people’s gardens … to surprise your friends!
My mind began to perk up and I was back on the streets of Phoenix, rolls of toilet paper in hand, laughing with a gaggle of girls as we played a prank on a friend. Once the cactus and the citrus trees and the mesquites in the front yard were covered … we’d leap out of the yard and run like bandits.
I vaguely remembered an occasional pink flamingo in those desert gardens, but it never registered then (at 12-years-old). Except in retrospect. Yes, it was another kind of prank! Not the kind kids were good at (owing to the expense of the plastic birds.). Toilet paper could easily be stolen from the bathroom!
It was surreal, standing there in my garden, listening to my French daughter teach me a lesson in American Pop Culture. Surreal may well be the definition of reverse culture shock: when something is so intimately familiar to you that you can’t recognize it at all.
"You mean out of all the stuff you bought in America, you managed to cram a giant flamant rose in your suitcase?"
"Aunt Heidi helped me," Jackie shrugged her shoulders and that crooked smile was back.
As we gazed at the kitchy pink bird, I threw my arm around my daughter and broke out into what the French call a fou rire—a serious case of the giggles. That sister of mine. She’s priceless. And so is this cheap pink flamingo!
Comments
Would you keep the pink flamingo–and “own it” when your French compatriots come to visit, questioning your sense of style? Or would you plant it in your neighbor’s garden, and so introduce the prank to French culture–which seems to have its own version: garden gnomes! Click here to comment.
Not everybody is thrilled with this new arangement. Some are getting their feathers ruffled over it! A pink imposter?
Breizh is not happy with the new setup either, and is remembering a sarcastic French expression: Tout nouveau tout beau (A new broom sweeps clean). Harrumph! Time to chew on an ear of corn, if ever it will grow.
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In Massachusetts (not sure if elsewhere), the pink flamingo has been used as a fund raiser. I have woken to find a pink flamingo on my lawn with a note stating “you have been flocked”. Inside the note which suspends from the neck in a protective ziplock bag is the explanation. If one chooses to give, a check can be left inside the ziplock bag. Then in the middle of the night the flamingo “flies away”.
In Massachusetts (not sure if elsewhere), the pink flamingo has been used as a fund raiser. I have woken to find a pink flamingo on my lawn with a note stating “you have been flocked”. Inside the note which suspends from the neck in a protective ziplock bag is the explanation. If one chooses to give, a check can be left inside the ziplock bag. Then in the middle of the night the flamingo “flies away”.
You know of course you are going to get flack from someone about calling “Rosy” kitsch. I am not sure which is worse; that or a gnome. Personally, I have nice things in my garden…..like a very old hiking boot with flowers, a couple of concrete geese, oh and there is the cast head my sister made in college 40 years ago that ends up with oxalis growing out of her head. But I would have to draw the line with “Rosy”. Have fun with it. Decorate her for holidays, or you could paint her sort of a grey color and pretend she is an egret or heron.
You know of course you are going to get flack from someone about calling “Rosy” kitsch. I am not sure which is worse; that or a gnome. Personally, I have nice things in my garden…..like a very old hiking boot with flowers, a couple of concrete geese, oh and there is the cast head my sister made in college 40 years ago that ends up with oxalis growing out of her head. But I would have to draw the line with “Rosy”. Have fun with it. Decorate her for holidays, or you could paint her sort of a grey color and pretend she is an egret or heron.
Here, it is a birthday surprise and not one but many! What a ruckus it caused in a neighborhood where they are not allowed.
If your daughter does go to U of C, she will love it. I graduated from there and wish there had not beeen so many nurses who wanted to live in Boulder.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me, it’s the thought that counts. The flamand rose will remind you of Heidi and Jackie, who took the time and had fun planning the surprise for you. I would also be tempted to give it a quick spray paint of another color, like the writer above suggested.
Here, it is a birthday surprise and not one but many! What a ruckus it caused in a neighborhood where they are not allowed.
If your daughter does go to U of C, she will love it. I graduated from there and wish there had not beeen so many nurses who wanted to live in Boulder.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me, it’s the thought that counts. The flamand rose will remind you of Heidi and Jackie, who took the time and had fun planning the surprise for you. I would also be tempted to give it a quick spray paint of another color, like the writer above suggested.
Hello Kristin,
I love the fun of the pink flamingo and would definitely introduce it to your neighbors! I am sure that they will enjoy the joke and want to “pass it on”. After my friend and I watched the movie Amelie some years back, a gnome appeared in my garden. It always receives laughs and curious comments. Glad that Jackie and her valise are both home safely.
Hello Kristin,
I love the fun of the pink flamingo and would definitely introduce it to your neighbors! I am sure that they will enjoy the joke and want to “pass it on”. After my friend and I watched the movie Amelie some years back, a gnome appeared in my garden. It always receives laughs and curious comments. Glad that Jackie and her valise are both home safely.
You must keep it, just as it is!
If you don’t, you’ll wake up in the night 10 years from now, screaming, “Why didn’t I keep it? How could I have done that?!!!”
All you have to say is, “It was a gift from someone I love.”
You must keep it, just as it is!
If you don’t, you’ll wake up in the night 10 years from now, screaming, “Why didn’t I keep it? How could I have done that?!!!”
All you have to say is, “It was a gift from someone I love.”
there must be something universal about teens and flamingos as gifts for Mom…my 15 yr old son gave me one on a certain birthday, but he made it himself out of wood and it still stands every summer 5′ high guarding our hollyhocks
Sackville, NB Canada
there must be something universal about teens and flamingos as gifts for Mom…my 15 yr old son gave me one on a certain birthday, but he made it himself out of wood and it still stands every summer 5′ high guarding our hollyhocks
Sackville, NB Canada
I love it and would keep it for sure. But then I have no sense of style – which surely does simplify this sort of situation.
I love it and would keep it for sure. But then I have no sense of style – which surely does simplify this sort of situation.
Love the pink flamingo!
Love the pink flamingo!
Keep it! if only as a piece of your sister there with you in your garden. It may be gaudy pink kitsch, for sure, but it is also rather fun!
Keep it! if only as a piece of your sister there with you in your garden. It may be gaudy pink kitsch, for sure, but it is also rather fun!
Since it is difficult, even in north central Florida, to lure the REAL flamingos to my yard, I think the plastic ones are an acceptable sub-species. What is wrong with kitsch? I love kitsch. It is a good test to be sure a new acquaintance has sufficient sense of humor.
One day, driving around our stepford-ish community, I saw my favorite lawn ornament arrangement of all time, a row of quite large, highly colored statures: The Virgin Mary and The Seven Dwarfs. Delightful!
Since it is difficult, even in north central Florida, to lure the REAL flamingos to my yard, I think the plastic ones are an acceptable sub-species. What is wrong with kitsch? I love kitsch. It is a good test to be sure a new acquaintance has sufficient sense of humor.
One day, driving around our stepford-ish community, I saw my favorite lawn ornament arrangement of all time, a row of quite large, highly colored statures: The Virgin Mary and The Seven Dwarfs. Delightful!
Yes keep it, explain to friends it’s an american joke passed on from your sister. Easy peasy. Its a great story and you’ll be teaching something. Plus you’ll think warm thoughts of them both when you look at it. Ps, when jackie is ready to explore further south, we’ll still be here at Lake Powell and she’ll be most welcome!
Yes keep it, explain to friends it’s an american joke passed on from your sister. Easy peasy. Its a great story and you’ll be teaching something. Plus you’ll think warm thoughts of them both when you look at it. Ps, when jackie is ready to explore further south, we’ll still be here at Lake Powell and she’ll be most welcome!
One of our Baltimore filmmakers, John Waters (Hairspray) made a movie called “Pink Flamingos” in the early 70’s. There is an area here (Hampden) where the pink flamingo rules, ever since. You see them everywhere – on buildings, in yards & even as hats. Yes, very kitschy. Maybe you have a kitschy garden to put it in??
One of our Baltimore filmmakers, John Waters (Hairspray) made a movie called “Pink Flamingos” in the early 70’s. There is an area here (Hampden) where the pink flamingo rules, ever since. You see them everywhere – on buildings, in yards & even as hats. Yes, very kitschy. Maybe you have a kitschy garden to put it in??
Hi Kristin,
You can buy a pack of 2 flamingos on Amazon. Start a trend in your neighborhood. I love the fundraiser idea that Deborah mentioned. My sister in law woke up on her birthday to find a bunch of them in her yard with balloons. I’m glad Jackie got her bag back!
Hi Kristin,
You can buy a pack of 2 flamingos on Amazon. Start a trend in your neighborhood. I love the fundraiser idea that Deborah mentioned. My sister in law woke up on her birthday to find a bunch of them in her yard with balloons. I’m glad Jackie got her bag back!
Keep it for sure, just as it is. When anyone asks about it simply give them a crooked smile and say it’s a long story!
Keep it for sure, just as it is. When anyone asks about it simply give them a crooked smile and say it’s a long story!
I’ll bet Heidi is having a good chuckle!
I’ll bet Heidi is having a good chuckle!
Yes, keep it. It seems the plants will mostly hide it, in any case. And due to the nature of plastic, it probably won’t last more than a few years.
Yes, keep it. It seems the plants will mostly hide it, in any case. And due to the nature of plastic, it probably won’t last more than a few years.
Before I retired, the graphic art and publications arm of a Department of Defense agency was one of my clients. They were located on a big Army base outside Washington DC, and it was easy to find their building because in the flower bed outside were two pink flamingos. Leave it to a bunch of artists and writers to express their collective personality on a military post!
Keep your pink flamingo. It has true retro chic.
Before I retired, the graphic art and publications arm of a Department of Defense agency was one of my clients. They were located on a big Army base outside Washington DC, and it was easy to find their building because in the flower bed outside were two pink flamingos. Leave it to a bunch of artists and writers to express their collective personality on a military post!
Keep your pink flamingo. It has true retro chic.
My sister would give me one..hasn’t yet but this is something that she would do..would I keep it in my yard..if I lived where she would see it I would..because I love her and because as she would have given it as a joke, and I would turn the joke so that she would see it daily/often…oh how beautiful/wonderful is the gift you gave me..I once gave her some flamingo plastic plates. Now if I were, like you are, living in a France, in a world that has very different jokes I don’t know if I would,having to explain and bringing yet another “American” joke to France; except now your daughter is involved..and that changes the equation..she will tell her friends about this strange American joke..and if you move it you will become to her or in telling the story to her friends the person who is not willing to play the game. I guess it must stay, and as time goes on become a bit of that strange American world left behind..and people will see it and smile..for one reason or another.
My sister would give me one..hasn’t yet but this is something that she would do..would I keep it in my yard..if I lived where she would see it I would..because I love her and because as she would have given it as a joke, and I would turn the joke so that she would see it daily/often…oh how beautiful/wonderful is the gift you gave me..I once gave her some flamingo plastic plates. Now if I were, like you are, living in a France, in a world that has very different jokes I don’t know if I would,having to explain and bringing yet another “American” joke to France; except now your daughter is involved..and that changes the equation..she will tell her friends about this strange American joke..and if you move it you will become to her or in telling the story to her friends the person who is not willing to play the game. I guess it must stay, and as time goes on become a bit of that strange American world left behind..and people will see it and smile..for one reason or another.
bien sur, chaque jardin a besoin d’un flamant rose!
bien sur, chaque jardin a besoin d’un flamant rose!
Ooh! You must keep it, prominantly displayed! It is an hororable, fun-filled garden tradition, the joke of jokes, the ultimate statement of gardening freedom! Perhaps it could move from place to place, within your beautiful gardens, even coming inside for harsh wintertime. I have put one at the top of the Christmas tree for years! You are so fortunate, dear Kristin, to have received this touch o’ pink! Cheers!
Ooh! You must keep it, prominantly displayed! It is an hororable, fun-filled garden tradition, the joke of jokes, the ultimate statement of gardening freedom! Perhaps it could move from place to place, within your beautiful gardens, even coming inside for harsh wintertime. I have put one at the top of the Christmas tree for years! You are so fortunate, dear Kristin, to have received this touch o’ pink! Cheers!
By all means, keep this special flamingo which traveled all the way from Colorado in Jackie’s suitcase! You could plant some bright pink flowers nearby to help him/her blend in with your garden. Bon week-end.
By all means, keep this special flamingo which traveled all the way from Colorado in Jackie’s suitcase! You could plant some bright pink flowers nearby to help him/her blend in with your garden. Bon week-end.
your post made me giggle, as I just came across two old concrete flamingos that are not pink, but a worn white. We are collecting some pink ones now, as they are going on sale, to place in a friend’s yard. She surprised us this spring with our front yard surrounded by flamingos as we arrived home from our travels in France. Yes, a little kitsch goes a long way, but it can be amusing! The fun is in the planning of it all!
your post made me giggle, as I just came across two old concrete flamingos that are not pink, but a worn white. We are collecting some pink ones now, as they are going on sale, to place in a friend’s yard. She surprised us this spring with our front yard surrounded by flamingos as we arrived home from our travels in France. Yes, a little kitsch goes a long way, but it can be amusing! The fun is in the planning of it all!
Karen, I’ve lived in and around Baltimore since 1987 and never knew the history of Hampden’s flamingos. How ironic to find out through Kristin’s French blog—small world… Kristin, I’m not into kitsch but I like the splash of pink in your garden and I think it makes a great conversation piece. I would keep it at least until it starts to weather and look really tacky, in which case you could either justifiably toss it or repaint it to its original brilliance.
Karen, I’ve lived in and around Baltimore since 1987 and never knew the history of Hampden’s flamingos. How ironic to find out through Kristin’s French blog—small world… Kristin, I’m not into kitsch but I like the splash of pink in your garden and I think it makes a great conversation piece. I would keep it at least until it starts to weather and look really tacky, in which case you could either justifiably toss it or repaint it to its original brilliance.
Following is an interesting article concerning our affinity for plastic flamingos down ‘heah in da swamps.’
http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/its_very_pk_dy.html
An excerpt from Joceyln Donlon’s article:
“When I hear ‘pink flamingos,’ I think of Spanish Town, my historic, delightful, kind of quirky neighborhood in downtown Baton Rouge, at the foot of the New State Capitol. Spanish Town is historic because it is the oldest neighborhood in Baton Rouge…founded in 1805, two years after the Louisiana Purchase. Residents are often interesting artists, writers, teachers, actors, and musicians. There are also politicians, lawyers, doctors, and many college students renting apartments. Back in 1981 the residents decided to ‘celebrate their difference’ by starting their own Mardi Gras parade, mocking people in positions of authority. A different theme each year allows the floats to make political commentary, or even to be ‘tacky.’ The pink flamingo is considered to be the neigborhood’s mascot. Plastic flamingos are often called ‘kitsch’ by American society. However, some people, with a different aesthetic, prefer ‘kitsch’! In Spanish Town, we really like ‘kitsch’.” Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler !
Following is an interesting article concerning our affinity for plastic flamingos down ‘heah in da swamps.’
http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/its_very_pk_dy.html
An excerpt from Joceyln Donlon’s article:
“When I hear ‘pink flamingos,’ I think of Spanish Town, my historic, delightful, kind of quirky neighborhood in downtown Baton Rouge, at the foot of the New State Capitol. Spanish Town is historic because it is the oldest neighborhood in Baton Rouge…founded in 1805, two years after the Louisiana Purchase. Residents are often interesting artists, writers, teachers, actors, and musicians. There are also politicians, lawyers, doctors, and many college students renting apartments. Back in 1981 the residents decided to ‘celebrate their difference’ by starting their own Mardi Gras parade, mocking people in positions of authority. A different theme each year allows the floats to make political commentary, or even to be ‘tacky.’ The pink flamingo is considered to be the neigborhood’s mascot. Plastic flamingos are often called ‘kitsch’ by American society. However, some people, with a different aesthetic, prefer ‘kitsch’! In Spanish Town, we really like ‘kitsch’.” Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler !