hon207france-blog

[hon207france-blog]

French people love their cigarettes. However, films have been accused of promoting the unhealthy habit. According to this article, seventy percent of newer French film show at least one character smoking. Even though French officials think this an issue that needs to be acting upon, the wide majority of French people are not going to comply. Smoking is a large part of their culture and simply removing it from all films would be incredibly difficult. One commenter writes that removing smoking would be similar to removing all swearing and crime. I think this similar to the argument in American culture on whether or not violence is acceptable in films. I believe that violence and smoking are not healthy, but I also believe that they are often a part of life. If violence and smoking were not allowed in films, it would not be able to portray real life.

[hon207france-blog]

I believe that nothing impacts a nation like unexpected terrorist attacks against innocent people. This is something that America, France, and England along with other countries have been becoming too accustomed too. More than 240 people have died in the past three years associated with the Islamic State. The families and cities belonging to the victims will forever be grieving for the lives that were lost. The Paris attack had a large effect on France’s culture. They had to heighten their security which cost the country more money. Because of the terrorist attacks, many tourists cancelled trips to France which also had a negative impact on the economy. And lastly the attacks have caused more discrimination against the Muslim people in the country which I talked about in my blog last week.

[hon207france-blog]

I recently wrote about an article on another controversial topic for Muslims in France. They were not allowed to wear burkinis to the beach. France’s ban on prayers in the street began with closing of a Mosque which was turned into a library. There was much resistance from the Muslim population in France during the transformation of the building. Apparently, other parts of Europe including Munich, Germany have a similar ban in place. This article says the ban in Germany was established because they feared the worshippers would be attacked. However, the ban in France occurred because of the tension between the Muslim community and the rest of the French population. After seven terrorist attacks on France including the Paris attack, the tension has only risen. I think the French are less tolerant to other cultures because of their history. America is said to a melting-pot of different cultures, but French people value their cultural identity. Therefore, they often discriminate against other cultures.

[hon207france-blog]

If you have not heard of the numerous sexual allegations from Harvey Weinstein, you have probably been living under a rock. This article talks about the movement that has been happening due to the allegations. I recently wrote about an article that France is starting to place a fine on those who “cat-call” women. This made France seem very progressive in the feminist movement. However, after reading this article, I challenge my first opinion on the topic. It says that nearly 40 percent of women who do report sexual misconduct are more punished than the perpetrator. Also, 93 percent of sexual misconduct reports are not even looked at by police officials. This to me is shocking. It seems as though France has no support for those who have faced sexual assault. I think this comes from the fact that France’s culture is very romantic and seductive. They see this assault as a natural part of living. France always tries to keep up with latest and greatest trends. I think it is about time that they join the trend of fighting for women’s rights.

[hon207france-blog]

Who knew public transit could be so fancy? I am not surprised that if someone were to do this, that it would be the French. The reason is because French value art very highly. Instead of asking about family or the weather when creating small talk, they ask about art. Since art is such a big deal, it is not surprising that they are taking it to public transportation. Not to mention the bright colors in this picture. The French like to be noticed and wear bright colors. Therefore, it is fitting that they use bright colors instead of neutrals. The French want everything to appear to be the best even if it isn’t. Therefore, I am not at all surprised that they also want to make their public transportation as art-filled as possible.

[hon207france-blog]

How do hamburgers have anything to do with French culture? Well they are taking over restaurants. They are on nearly 3/4 of French menus. This article believes it is due to the obsession French people have with New York City. I think this article clearly displays how cultures have an impact on other cultures. Without the hamburger being such a huge part of American culture, it may not even be available in France. However, whenever something is adapting to culture it is always altered slightly. As the article says, hamburgers tend to be more gourmet in France than in America. This can be seen at restaurants all over America that are supposedly Chinese, Italian, or Mexican food. Even though the food may be similar to the country’s food, all of them have been adapted.

[hon207france-blog]

When learning about French culture, ‘la bise’ is one of the first things you will hear about. La bise refers to the kiss on the cheek friends and relatives give each other while greeting each other. This seems like a completely foreign concept to someone from America because, as the article describes, we are more of a non-contact culture. France would be describes as a contact culture because they value contact. Whenever a person in France goes to work in the morning, they cannot begin work until they shake hands with everyone they work with. Similarly, they do not say hello to a friend or a relative without including la bise. These traditions are rooted in their Roman history. However, la bise varies dependent upon the region of France. Some regions give two kisses while other regions give five kisses. The reason for this variance is unknown.

[hon207france-blog]

When I read the title of this article, I assumed that there was a lack of butter compared to the demand. However, I did not understand why this would be an issue large enough to write an entire article about. After reading the article though, it makes sense. France is well-known for their croissants which 1/4 of the contents is butter. As the demand for diary products increases so does the amount of butter sales. As other countries are beginning to use more butter like the French do, the less butter the French will have. This really is causing problems in France because bakeries use an excessive amount of butter in their baked goods and breads. They cannot simply change their recipes.  A butter crisis in France certainly has a larger effect on local business than it would in America where we would simply change our recipes to use margarine instead.

[hon207france-blog]

In our culture, we know that stepping on a crack could break our mother’s back. We know that seeing a black cat, opening an umbrella inside, and walking under a ladder is horrible luck. We also have the occasion specific superstitions like if a groom sees his bride on the day of the wedding before she walks down the isle, then they shouldn’t even get married because their marriage is doomed. Superstitions are really quite silly when you think about it, but they really are widely known in specific cultures.

Reading about the different superstitions they have in France is quite humorous. However, the French may say the exact same thing when reading our superstitions which helps me understand that often the little things we learn, like superstitions, are built into our culture. Sometimes they make absolutely no sense, but chances are that the next generation will also hear these superstitions. They are built into our culture, no matter how silly they may be.

[hon207france-blog]

I was interested in reading this article because while I was reading the Xenophobes book, I learned how sexualized and romantic France’s culture is. Before that, I did not understand how sex was such an icon of French culture. To show its extent the book gave the example that a man who is married is expected to make sexual comments to other women even in front of their wives. Now if that were happen in America, the chances of that man being slapped across the face is quite high.

I have also read several articles about the allegations against Weinstein. Reading this article and another one showed me that France’s culture of sex may also be the cause of their many issues of sexual misconduct and rape. I hope that France will continue to make advancements such as their ban on catcalling to help them understand that  while their culture of sex and romance may be okay, that it is not acceptable when it becomes abuse or assault.

[hon207france-blog]

This debate happened over a year ago, but I remember it being quite the controversy. I think that banning the burkini from public beaches and pools is stemming from stereotypes and prejudices against Muslim people. When reading Xenophobes Guide to the French, I learned that French people are not worried about being politically correct nor are they worried about offending others. I also learned that French are often angry with the amount of immigrants because they are taking up land and space, which many French people believe is already too limited. I think this ban comes from a lack of understanding of the Muslim community. It also comes from there being no motivation from the French to learn of other’s cultures. At one point, French had a law against learning a different language. This shows that the French are very proud of their culture and are interested in understanding others. They don’t do this because they are rude, but because they are incredibly ethnocentric.

I have never heard of this idea where a country claims a food as its own legally. There are foods that we automatically think of for different countries even if it isn’t legally bound to their one culture. For example, thinking of Germany it would be schnitzel or sausage. When you think of Italy, it is pizza or pasta. Spain does not need to legally put tapas as a part of their culture because they are already known for it. However, I do think it shows the extent to which tapas are important to their culture.

[hon207france-blog]

After reading Xenophobes Guide to the French, I learned that the Tour de France is the most watched and anticipated sporting event each year in France. I think this could be compared to the Super Bowl we have in America. To be quite honest, I knew that Tour de France was a bicycling race, but I did not have any idea of its unimaginable length or intense geography. After reading this article, I truly had a greater understanding of the training that Tour de France must entail. I cannot imagine what it would be like to attempt Mont Ventoux. As written in the article, many people have needed medical attention or oxygen after ascending the mountain. France’s excitement in Tour de France definitely stems from their cultural values. They love anything that is bright. If you have seen any picture of the athletes you can see how brightly they are dressed. Everything in France must be done in style, including working out. Exercise is also a large part of France’s culture as they are very consumed in how things appear, especially themselves. Reading Xenophobes Guide to the French and this article has allowed me have a greater understanding of why the French are so obsessed with Tour de France.  

[hon207france-blog]

This debate happened over a year ago, but I remember it being quite the controversy. I think that banning the burkini from public beaches and pools is stemming from stereotypes and prejudices against Muslim people. When reading Xenophobes Guide to the French, I learned that French people are not worried about being politically correct nor are they worried about offending others. I also learned that French are often angry with the amount of immigrants because they are taking up land and space, which many French people believe is already too limited. I think this ban comes from a lack of understanding of the Muslim community. It also comes from there being no motivation from the French to learn of other’s cultures. At one point, French had a law against learning a different language. This shows that the French are very proud of their culture and are interested in understanding others. They don’t do this because they are rude, but because they are incredibly ethnocentric.

[hon207france-blog]

After reading Xenophobes Guide to the French, I learned that the Tour de France is the most watched and anticipated sporting event each year in France. I think this could be compared to the Super Bowl we have in America. To be quite honest, I knew that Tour de France was a bicycling race, but I did not have any idea of its unimaginable length or intense geography. After reading this article, I truly had a greater understanding of the training that Tour de France must entail. I cannot imagine what it would be like to attempt Mont Ventoux. As written in the article, many people have needed medical attention or oxygen after ascending the mountain.

France’s excitement in Tour de France definitely stems from their cultural values. They love anything that is bright. If you have seen any picture of the athletes you can see how brightly they are dressed. Everything in France must be done in style, including working out. Exercise is also a large part of France’s culture as they are very consumed in how things appear, especially themselves. Reading Xenophobes Guide to the French and this article has allowed me have a greater understanding of why the French are so obsessed with Tour de France.  

[hon207france-blog]

I had never even heard of Greenpeace activists before reading this article, but they are a group of people who are dedicated to fighting against different problems that ruin the environment. In this instance they set off fireworks at a nuclear power plant, but were stopped before entering the main area. The nuclear power plant contained radioactive materials that the activists believe is hurting the environment. First, this article shows how people worldwide can come together to support a common goal. There are Greenpeace activists worldwide that are dedicated to helping the environment. However, I am not saying that their approach was correct. The environmental group may be taken more seriously if they do not attempt such dangerous and destructive tasks.

Also, France said that the nuclear power plant had several safety and security features that allowed them to find them before they entered farther into the power plant. This shows how France’s past with terrorism has forced them to ensure that each place is secure. They took necessary precautions in order to protect their power plant.

[hon207france-blog]

I often forget how much weather actually affects people. Clearly, I know that natural disasters can be devastating to families. However, I do not take into account that a “hard spring frost” could truly concern those whose livelihood is built off of their vineyards that produce wine. Being raised in the country, I often hear farmers taking about how the rain has either hurt or helped their crops nourishment. When I think of France, I often think of cities and I don’t realize that those who have vineyards to make wine have a lot in common with the gold ‘ole farmers of Ida, Michigan.

 I read a separate article to understand why vineyards and fine wine are such an important part of France and its history. It is said that the Romans were the ones to originally bring the practice of viticulture to France. After that France had a large Catholic population which was known for perfecting wine-making. I also learned that France never had anything similar to a prohibition. Wine was such a large part of their culture that the people would have never allowed for something like it. This could be why France and other countries are more known for their “fine wine”  and America is not.

[hon207france-blog]

France is really beginning to crack down on men objectifying women. The fight for gender equality has recently gone worldwide through campaigns such as HeForShe. France is known to always be “one step ahead” of America. As France is beginning to crack down on these laws, so is America. However, I think this will be difficult to define what exactly is “catcalling.” Some people’s opinions of what catcalling may be different from others. However, I admire France and am eager to see what comes of this ban.