I've been living in France for just over a month now (about 5 1/2 weeks to be more precise) and there are some things I really do find very interesting (aka, amusing or bizarre!). For a start, Hubby and I are living (temporarily we hope!) with the Beaux-parents, and therefore, hear all about their various friends and neighbours on a regular basis. One thing that has really struck me is that they do seem to have quite bizarre names. For example, there is Mrs Neighbour, Mr Beignet (think that's some type of biscuit), Mr & Mrs God.....need I go on?!! All very nice people, but I just can't help smiling to myself occasionally. I mean, I know British names are often related to the historical trades of our ancestors or the places where they lived, but somehow the French versions just seem so much more comical.
Another funny thing I discovered the other day, is that plugs and sockets here are known as "prise male" and "prise female" (I leave you to guess which is which). Now, whilst this makes amazing sense, and I can very well understand the thinking behind this, I can't help feeling that only the French could get away with this interpretation (or should that be, implying such connotations?) of what, until this point, I saw as being simply an inane (but necessary) electrical item. Quite apart from anything else, this new discovery of mine seems to give plugs and sockets a rather human quality - at least I shall never feel lonely again!
I'm sure these won't be the last of my anecdotes, so please note, this post is entitled #1.
1 comment:
Hahaha! I had never heard of the prise male et prise femelle before! I just asked FP if it was true and when he said yes I burst out laughing. He can't see what's so funny about it, but to me that's hilarious!
The French are rather odd I must say...
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