La Fringale: At what hour do the French get the munchies?

On a train journey back from Paris, Kristi reflects on feeling hungry and shares insights about social norms surrounding food in France. She contemplates the appropriateness of eating at unusual hours, specifically her craving for gourmet leftovers after missing lunch. During her trip, she observes fellow passengers enjoying snacks, which fuels her internal debate about breaking cultural norms. Ultimately, she decides to embrace her hunger and eat her meal, finding relief in the absence of judgment. The piece highlights the author’s humorous struggle with societal expectations and includes a lesson on the French vocabulary word “la fringale,” meaning hunger or cravings. Continue reading La Fringale: At what hour do the French get the munchies?

Ratiboiser & Cafi: Two Fun Words from The Olive Harvest

Our story begins in Le Beausset… just over the hill from Bandol. TODAY'S WORD: Ratiboiser     : to chop    : to plunder, pinch, swipe  Ratiboiser also means "couper à ras" (to cut very short). When you return from the hairdresser's and your locks were cut too short, you could say, "Ils m'ont ratiboisé les cheveux. They completely cut my hair!" A DAY IN … Continue reading Ratiboiser & Cafi: Two Fun Words from The Olive Harvest

Façon de Parler: L’Ecriture Inclusive & The movement to feminize French

"Languages ​​are not neutral tools: they influence how we talk, think, and represent ourselves…." façon de parler     : manner of speaking, way of speaking    : so to speak Audio: listen to Jean-Marc read the opening sentence, in French:  Facon de parler manner of speaking Façon de parler. Les langues ne sont pas des outils neutres : elles influent sur notre façon de parler, … Continue reading Façon de Parler: L’Ecriture Inclusive & The movement to feminize French

Glaçon: A Wife’s Revenge + Ratatouillaisse recipe

Just discovered another photo of Jean-Marc and his side-kick Mr. Sacks, in Italy. Don't miss the collection of Mr Sacks photos! JEAN-MARC IN WINE SPECTATOR – Please read about Jean-Marc in this week's online edition of Wine Spectator! The story is called Parched in Provence.   TODAY'S WORD: le glaçon     : ice cube French definition of ice cubes from Wikipedia: Les glaçons domestiques … Continue reading Glaçon: A Wife’s Revenge + Ratatouillaisse recipe