Tag: custom

April Fool's Day, Culture, Paris

The French Speedo is Back as France strips down for the Climate

In France, a new law is being implemented to minimize greenhouse gas emissions caused by clothing during the summer season. Citizens are encouraged to wear less clothing, with limits falling from 1 kilogram to 700 grams by mid-June, and another 200 grams by July. Failure to comply will result in a fine or civil service. Some towns along the French coast may even require citizens to go about without clothing.
Continue reading The French Speedo is Back as France strips down for the Climate

Kristin Espinasse55 Comments
Characters, Culture

Les Étrennes: This French new year’s custom will have you digging in your pockets

Photo of les boîtes à lettres taken in Marseilles at Les Arcenaulx. Thank you, Jean-Marc, for recording two sound files for today's post (the second is found below the vocabulary list). Note: if you are experiencing déjà vu reading the following column–tout va bien–the story is being revived from the archives.  TODAY'S WORD: LES ETRENNES     : New Year's gift, tip, bonus étrenner = … Continue reading Les Étrennes: This French new year’s custom will have you digging in your pockets

Kristin Espinasse11 Comments
Uncategorized

Les étrennes: This French custom will have you digging into your pockets.

TODAY'S WORD: LES ETRENNES     : New Year's gift, tip, bonus étrenner = to wear or use for the first time; to be first in the line of fire Listen to Jean-Marc read from FranceTVInfo.fr:Avec les vœux du Nouvel An arrive le moment des étrennes. Vous ne savez pas à qui donner ni quel montant consacrer à cette tradition ? Ce don d'argent n'est … Continue reading Les étrennes: This French custom will have you digging into your pockets.

Kristin Espinasse33 Comments
Uncategorized

Etat des lieux + homeless in Aix-en-Provence

The handy-dandy serpillière, or French floor rag. If you have ever rented a place in France, you know the frenetic tidying up that takes place before you hand back the keys and hope to recuperer la caution or get back your deposit check! TODAY'S WORDétat des lieux (eh-tah-day-lyuh)     : an inventory or a walk-through to assess the condition of a property  AUDIO FILE: … Continue reading Etat des lieux + homeless in Aix-en-Provence

Kristin Espinasse40 Comments
Susan, Tipping

pourboire: How to say tip in French

Today, in the US, it's Le Jour de Merci Donnant and I'm busy giving thanks for the people in my life, including YOU and Rouge-Bleu. Read more about my high-school chum in today's story. Note: you haven't heard much about Susan, over the years–that's because I haven't had the chance to see her much. I do have a funny photo, near the end of this … Continue reading pourboire: How to say tip in French

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
Easter

Pâques

White mustard flowers near the town of Travaillan Below, you will discover a popular French adage (and nifty weather predictor!). It says that if you have sunshine and mild times at Christmas, watch out! You're in for cold weather at Easter! I can vouch for that. This morning the grape fields were blanketed by snow! And only yesterday "snowy" flowers covered the countryside. Pâques (pak) … Continue reading Pâques

Kristin Espinasse1 Comment
Culture, Flowers, Traditions

The muguet tradition in France: Lily of the Valley sold on French street corners on May 1st

le muguet (mew-geh) n.m.  : lily of the valley Question: So what are the French doing today, the first of May, besides la grasse matinée? Answer: Waving snow-white porte-bonheurs through the air and wishing each other good luck! Along little cobblestone paths in the French hinterland, and at noisy intersections across the city, French vendeurs de muguet are taking over street curbs with buckets of lilies of the … Continue reading The muguet tradition in France: Lily of the Valley sold on French street corners on May 1st

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments