Monday, August 6, 2012

Things French Say--The Olympics

We are big Olympics fans Chez Larson and this year it's more fun because a) they're in our (relative) time zone and b) the big kids are loving every minute right along with us. We've been sitting on the terrace every night with the doors to the living room thrown open and the television moved to the side so we can watch from the coolness of the outdoors as the swimmers and now the runners inspire and thrill us with their incredible strength, drive and speed.
 
I get all teary-eyed at any back story and cheer more and more for that Brit or Aussie and especially fellow American and when we win gold and I hear the refrain of 'the twilight's last gleaming' I cry again. This doesn't come as any surprise to you, I'm sure. Not sobs, mind you. Just a little damp-eyed tug and distortion of the facial features and the kids say, 'Oh, Mommy. You're crying again!'

{American Women's Swim Team: source}

What is is about the Olympics that makes us feel so passionate and proud? It's not just the Americans that get me. I cheer and cry for all of them. When the French stand up there all stoic, mouthing bits of Le Marseillaise with its triumphant ending, I get all sniffly too. I've always loved their national anthem.


{Gold Medalist Camille Muffat: google}
Ma Fille, who is a real fish every summer, has been switched on by the Olympic swimmers and has been swimming laps non-stop since. She keeps asking what it takes to be in the Olympics and if we really think she  can do it. We say, like Dorie, just keep swimming.

And swim she does. Fifty laps of our little pool every day. And more. But the problem is that our pool is quite small and one lap is probably less than a quarter of 50 meters. She's done the math and has realized that if she's going to really get good she needs a bigger pool. Luckily, there's a public outdoor pool with lanes in nearby Castelnau-Le-Lez that we've started going to for her to swim her laps.

I should give you some Olympic style back story here and so I will. I looked online to check the  hours and rules of the pool the other day. The usual European rules of public pools applied: no swimming trunks for boys and men, only speedos, and swimming cap obligatoire. There was a section for comments about the pool and it was lengthy; each comment reviling the woman at the front desk, who was anything from unhelpful to not the right person to be in front of people. Now this is something, thought I. The French are complaining about the Mme this much? How awful must she be?!

We rode our bikes over to the pool, the reviews of the lady on my mind. Who knew what she would think of me and my butchering of her language? It's simple though. I only had to ask one or two questions, smile and be on my way.

When we got there we 'bonjour'ed like you're supposed to, smiles all around. I asked for the proper pass, she smiled and answered, she asked if I'd been there before, I said no, so she kindly explained the rules (there are always rules) and took my money. As we were in the middle of this transaction, a man I'll call the Walrus came out, big, round belly hanging over his tiny, triangle of swimsuit, asking for help because his goggles fell down the drain or something. He had an enormous white moustache that hung so far over his mouth I thought he might lift it with his fingers to speak. I couldn't imagine how he could eat. It would take some serious wax or a clip of some kind to hold it out of the way.

As he shuffled away, helpful teenage staffer following, Surly Madame looked at me and said something about him needing to wear a swim cap over his mouth while he swims. I looked shocked, wondering if I'd misunderstood, and she shrugged, half-laughed and said, "Je rigole. C'est humour francaise!'
See. She's lovely.

We went back yesterday for more laps and to test our luck with the Surly Madame. This time she asked if we were British. I answered this usual question with my usual answer, 'Non, nous sommes americains.'
Here came a heap of Surly, right outta left field and all about the Olympics, thinly veiled and smoothly enacted in an effortless stream of French.

{French relay team: LA Times}
'Oh, you are doing very well in the Olympics, all of the medals, all the wonderful swimmers. You have 60 medals and we only have 25!'. ,
'Yes', I said, adept at the game myself these days, 'but the French team did so well in the men's relay, it was fantastic! They were incredible!'
Lob to me. 'But the Americans are everywhere! So strong at everything!'
'Yes, but we are a big country, with a lot of people. It is different'.
The final blow, the essence of it all, the crux of the matter and the thing that a real French person said to me, 'The Americans are too strong. There are too many! You are everywhere! It Is Not Fair!!! Ce N'est Pas Juste!!!'  

There's just nothing to say to that is there? I smiled, as I do, and nodded and gracefully bowed out, beaten at the game.  One point, France.
Ma Fille and I went into the changing room, quietly giggling about how unfair it is that our country is bigger.




24 comments:

  1. If I were American I will be proud too. But the French relay will be remembered for generations!

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  2. Oh I've been getting an earful lately how America is too big to compete. It's not fair because we are so big and blah blah blah. Whatever.
    Papa almost had a coronary watching the France vs. USA basketball game (I think it was the first basketball game he ever watched). He was convinced that the US only won because of the Ref. I did everything in my power to contain my laughter but it was so difficult because he was huffing and puffing something fierce and the 'oh la las' were flying.
    Jealousy is not a good look. Not even on the French.

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    1. Basketball?! There wasn't really a pastis' chance at boules time was there?

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  3. Hi Aidan,

    Glad you are enjoying the Olympics! Don't mean to hijack your post but just wanted to say 'hello'. We met last year when I was on holiday with my husband and 2 girls. We are in Montpellier as I type! (tried to email you but I guess you didn't get it). Anyway, hope you are all ok!
    Monica
    P.S We were surprised to wake up to rain! (we are trying to get away from it!)

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    1. Hi Monica,
      I am so sorry! I did see your email and just let time slip away from me on responding. It has been such a lazy few weeks that I haven't been doing all the things I should. We welcomed the rain this morning as a nice. Hange to all of the sun. Fear not, it will shine again. I hope you have a wonderful time while you're here and that you get some good beach days in. Maybe we'll see you at Les Estivales this weekend.
      Aidan x

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    2. No worries Aidan - I know what it is like in the summer holidays! Would be lovely to see you at Estivales if you are there this weekend. My girls love the musical park so we are usually hanging around there! Mx

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  4. Oh my gosh, this is brilliant! Thanks for the smile on this gray Monday morning (although you know I am loving it!). I am so swept up in Olympic fever that last night, while Remi was in Grenoble, instead of revelling in the chance to watch a girly American movie, I watched the Games!! And I don't even like sports! But there I was screaming for Bolt at the top of my lungs, all by myself with Ben looking at me like I was crazy. :)

    And what does Madame Surly think of the Chinese team I wonder?

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  5. My family, too, has been enjoying the Olympics, riveted to the television just as you describe. I am sentimental and teary-eyed at any and all national anthems, strangely proud of every athlete and rooting across the board. I loved this post, its detail about the French swimming experience and your exchange with Madame Surly. She may have taken the medal in your debating event, but you get the gold for graciousness.

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    1. Thats the best part about the Olympics isn't it? All that national pride turning into general awe and pride in what amazing things people can accomplish. Im glad I'm not alone in the teary eyes. Thank you for the kind comments. I always try!
      Aidan

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  6. It is hard not to become a sports fan and super patriot during the olympics. I enjoy the back stories almost more than the actual events. Good luck to your fille. I hope she keeps us the training. In case you have not been, there is a wonderful chocolate maker in Castelnau-Le-Lez. Have a great day.

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  7. Thanks Michel. I will pass along the encouragement to her! I haven't been to the chocolate shop but I'll look for it. We are going to try the Pourcel bros. resto by the Musee Fabre this week. I'll let you know how it goes and what we all have.
    aidan

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  8. You should have told her to move to China. Then she'd be with the biggest of 'em all. x x

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    1. Paul thought the same. You know what's funny? I kinda like her moxy.

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  9. I really love all the players who congrat and hug the winner in good sportsman like fashion, also the ones who show respect for their competitors like James did in the 400m semi-final when he asked to exchange name tags with Pistorius...now, that's real class!

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    1. I love it too Mem. I couldn't get over Mo Farrah and his time on the 10k. I run that distance in an hour! Double the time he ran the same the other night. I am inspired and in awe of all of these athletes and I especially love the trend in thanking all of their friends and family who give, give, give so they can reach their dreams and goals. Yay! Olympics, a beautiful testament to the human spirit.
      aidan x

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  10. I know what you mean about the Olympics. I am American but have lived in New Zealand for 40 years and now spend half the year in France. So nice to be in the right hemisphere for watching the Olympics. My husband is English, I have one son residing in South Africa, another in New Zealand and our daughter is in Melbourne. In practically every event, there is someone we can cheer for! There are truly no boundaries and we can celebrate all mankind at these events now.

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    1. Wow Marjay! You really do have loved ones all over the globe. What a wonderfully diverse family. I met my first ever Kiwi when we lived in Ireland. She was married to an Irishman and was constantly homesick for the sun and warm sea. They made a deal to split their lives up in chunks of years in each country and after the agreed upon 10 in Ireland she made it back home. I know she is happy there but I know too, that as we all do, she left a bit of herself in Ireland too.
      It's such an open and free thinking time we're living in with so many resources and ways to explore the world around us. It makes me so thankful!
      Where in France do you live during the Kiwi winter?
      Aidan xo

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  11. We have Olympic fever here too, especially as Team GB has started to do so well. If China and the USA didn't enter we could be top of the medal table ;) We'll take our unaccustomed place on top of the rest of the world for now and with three US passport holders in our French house there's always someone to root for!

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    1. You cheeky thing! ;)
      I'm delighted for Team GB as well. And my beloved Ireland won a gold in boxing last night too!
      bisous,
      aidan

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  12. Brilliant. I, very American like, guffawed aloud.

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    1. You would have giggled at Monsieur Walrus! I know it. A xo

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  13. I hope your little one will keep her passion for swimming alive. Can you imagine how many young people have been inspired through the athletic displays at the Olympics? It has been such a joy to see the spirit of the games.

    Your story is priceless and I love how you handled Madame... just too funny!

    Bises,
    Genie

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    1. Thank you Genie. She's done her 50 laps for today already!
      Madame is clever and quick. Like I told Kirsty, i like her moxie!
      Aidan

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