#someone PLEASE do a mardi gras themed fic

[reveluvjay]

"He was shooting them buttery nuts all up in my mama" kay let's test if u can do that too but on me!

[theluckiestlb]

@whatarubberchicken I usually don’t respond to comments/other responses---but yours in particular were rather condescending. I don’t mean to offend, but they struck a nerve. My apologies for the delay, I was on vacation last week. I won’t respond to each point. So let’s begin!

1. “Marinette is not shown speaking any other language in the show, not even a language her mother might’ve used at home. To have her suddenly speaking a bunch of languages would seem out of character to most people after Kung Food. (You could probably get away with English, since most people know about the translations.)”

I’ll have to point blank disagree with you there. In Kung Food we clearly see her taking time to learn Chinese. As Flavia/ @marinette-buginette also mentioned, most Europeans are bilingual. Being trilingual is also quite common. I can guarantee the kids of the show are taking 1-2 language classes at school, it’s just the norm in Europe. Here in Switzerland, we have four national languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh)—and children are expected to be fluent in at least two by the time they finish high school. I live(d) in the German region, so we had to learn French starting in elementary school (2/3rd grade). English came shortly thereafter. This doesn’t even factor all the elective languages one can take later as well.    

2. “Great, could you maybe list a few stores that you do have?”

I’m not an expert in regards to France, but there are a number of similarities between European countries. Some fast fashion stores include C&A, New Yorker, Mango, Zara, HM, and Primark is starting to expand from the UK. In terms of (French) grocery stores there’s Carrefour, Casino/Géant, Auchan, Aldi, and Lidl. (Anyone who’s actually french should add more).

3. “Adrien’s rich. He could probably get any of those items with ease if he really tried.”

Yeah I’m sure he could, but the boy won’t have a clue as to what Cheez-its and Poptarts are, so he won’t feel the need to. It’s better to stick with local snacks/dishes.

4. “Teenage drinking holds the same dangers over there as it does here. Our parents can give us some at home too.”

Again, I have to disagree. Studies have shown the rates of teen binge drinking are higher in the US because of its strict laws. I’ve also noticed my American friends tend to go overboard and use fake IDs, while my European friends are more controlled and don’t need fakes to drink a beer. Alcohol feels so much more taboo over there and adults are quick to scrutinize.

5. “Marinette is usually shown taking the bus or train. Adrien has his car. I think Wayham’s the only one I’ve seen with a bike.”

Animating a bike is slightly more tedious, but I can assure you it’s a very practical and popular mode of transport here. I encourage everyone to use it in writing. A lot of Europeans don’t need/own a car, so it wouldn’t make sense for Sabine to drive Mari to the movies for example. Cities in Europe were built before the car came around, so they’re quite walkable/closely knit. Otherwise yeah, the métros, trams, and buses are quite reliable.

6. “Thanksgiving I’ll give you (that one’s ours for sure), but Halloween? We’ve already gotten concept art with Ladybug and Chat Noir surrounded by Halloween-themed monsters. Sorry, I’m gonna give this one to any writer who wants to use it. No problemo. Is canon.”

ML has a large American audience, hence why Zag caters to it. I’m telling you it’s not a thing (especially with older generations and smaller cities). So, realistically it’s best to find some other holiday. There are a lot of parades/costume/mardi gras-esque celebrations in the springtime. Idk about France but here in Basel we have a thing called “Fasnacht”.

Fun but mildly terrifying.

7. In the English translation, they do use miles. I know because I caught it and thought “that’s not right!” But some people won’t know it’s not right. And it’s right there in the show. Gotta let it slide if it’s canon, guys.”

Fun fact the English translation isn’t the end all and be all of what’s canon! Americans can’t handle the metric system (apparently), so the translation caters to that. Every other dub uses the metric system. Do 👏🏻 not 👏🏻 use 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 imperial 👏🏻 system 👏🏻 if 👏🏻 your 👏🏻characters 👏🏻 are 👏🏻 European 👏🏻 and 👏🏻 live 👏🏻 in 👏🏻 Europe

8. “Y'all might not need hall passes, but we do see them asking permission to use the bathroom. Just tell people to stick to the show.”

If someone over the age of fifteen needs still needs permission to use the restroom, that’s rather sad. While attending high school here, I never had the issue. In fact it would actually have been more disruptive had I interrupted the teacher in the middle of a lecture and derailed the focus of the class. Teachers don’t police the halls either to ensure every student has a pass. I’m just pointing out a difference, that’s all.

9. “Prom may not be a thing, but we all love the pretty dresses so EVERYONE PLEASE KEEP MAKING THEM WEAR FORMAL WEAR, I LOVE IT.”

Nobody is stopping anyone from creating work featuring formal attire. Some schools have dances, but it’s not as common or as grandiose as it is in the States. It’s just slightly irksome to see fics featuring it.

10. “Don’t get me wrong, I love that you’re trying to help, but when it comes to research for fanfiction: I say take it easy. The canon show trumps any conception you or I might have of the setting, after that, researching should be for little details. And if they don’t care, they don’t have to care.This is an alternate universe with magical jewelry, after all.”

Nobody is blowing a fuse over someone using the wrong brand of toothpaste. Fiction or not, one should respect the culture being adapted. These things take two seconds to Google—as mentioned it’s rather irksome to see someone Americanize everything with the exception of an Eiffel Tower in the backdrop. Any effort and research are very much appreciated. It’s not your place to dictate how people of other cultures should feel about their portrayals in works of fiction. I’m not here to police anyone, people can do as they please. Just be mindful and take a moment fact check your work. Again, it’s very much appreciated.

If anyone is struggling with regards to writing/finding information, feel free to ask questions! I will try to answer to the best of my abilities. I also encourage other Europeans to add further suggestions.