Site Fr
In Paris, the ultimate form of mental degradation is to support a sports team.
Parisians are not into sports very much. Playing one is degrading. Watching it on TV is straight-up shameful.
Yet, the Parisian is an understanding person. He will tell his friend something if the friend said he watched ‘du foot à la télé’ the night before. But he understands. What he does not understand and therefore does not tolerate is the act of supporting one given sports team.
Blind and continuous support to a cause is fully acceptable in Paris should the cause be a social or political one. Blind and continuous support to any other form of cause should be treated with nothing but contempt. This rule applies to all people within Paris.
Though, it is worthwhile to know that Parisians find a certain romantic appeal to soccer/football fanatics in Marseille, in Lens or in Latin countries. All other soccer fans are irremediable beaufs.
The most repelling form of degradation in Paris is to support the local soccer/football team: le Paris Saint Germain (aka ‘Le PSG’). It is obvious Parisian knowledge that there is nothing good about le PSG. Nothing.
Consequently, there can be nothing good about PSG fans. Not only are they sports fans, they are soccer fans. Not only are they soccer fans, they are PSG fans. A hopeless category of people.
The only Parisians that like le PSG are banlieusards. Banlieusards thus feel like they actually are Parisians. Needless to say, this is foolishly illusory. No one that grew up or lives on the other side of le périphérique, no matter how close, can ever claim, one day, to be a Parisian.
The hatred against le PSG is so deeply rooted for Parisians that just going to Le Parc des Princes to see a game is considered a social disgrace. Interestingly enough, while going to see a PSG game is the most obvious form of absence of dignity in Paris, it is fully acceptable, if not cool, to go see Le Stade Français – Paris’rugby team – play. Parisians are people of taste. Rugby cannot be compared to football.
The Parisian feels great about hating le PSG. By doing so, he clearly states that he is not a beauf, not into sports and not blinded by illusory feelings of belonging. Hating le PSG is just another oblivious statement of superiority for Parisians. In hatred, the Parisian grows as a person.
Useful tip: Buying a PSG jersey is a great gift for anyone who lives outside Europe. Europeans prefer a Stade Français item.
Sound like a Parisian: «Tu vois le mec, ambiance, genre euh… supporter du PSG !!».
RSS feed
Now I fully get it.
Once I was on vacation in Sicily in place full of French. At the same time there was a rugby team from Marseille in the same resort – that was something. They were treated like gods. True love and admiration on every step…
Oohhhh ok. As I started reading I wondered if rugby was included in the degrading sports category, and if so, where would my rich parisian friend -captain of a rugby team- would fit. Then you cleared it up… I totally get it now too. haha.
It helps that the Stade Français players are HOT and frequently naked.
Thank god they hate football. I seriously think i am going to marry a french person, well i have lived in S.America so its a talking point.
Ewa… rugby is indeed the sport of the gods (and of the upper class)
)
Neniii… your friend shall be treated with nothing be respect, deference and admiration!
D2bfab… let me guess… you’re a woman!!
Anastacia… and it’s a vast open market!! See the foreign girls post for details
Umm, i think i have more in common with the parisian woman, when i’m in paris i am frequently stopped for directions (so i guess i even look french). I don’t drink, i dance like a drunk uncle (when sober), and i don’t like to have the kind of ‘fun’ british girls are renowned for. The future doesn’t look bright, lol. But foreign girls is another great post. Maybe you’re next one could be the dating culture. I observe some profound differences from the UK whenever i visit, which is pretty frequently. Mainly that it isn’t unusual for someone to start a conversation that eventually ends would you like to get a coffee…
Damn, is that a humoristic blog?
I love people who talk about things they don’t know.
Anastacia… I’m afraid this is the only reason why most Parisian men would talk to a woman! Which is ok I guess…
Tarikou… hello! yes, I try to make this blog somewhat humoristic. I wouldn’t say I don’t know what i’m talking about for these petty subjects of mine… Let’s maybe say we have different perspectives on things (or on the love to be bear for le PSG)! Any insight is always appreciated, if you’d care to share your wisdom!
Ha, I just came across this site and this is hilarious. Thank you for providing me with another procrastination tool. I actually do remember you from when I was a student in Paris and went wine tasting. I was one of those people who got tipsy and bought lots of wine…. So I have a request for a post, I would like to know why everyone smokes all the time. If I have to breath the second hand smoke I at least want something to laugh about….
Dare I say it? Like the Parisians, I prefer Stade Francais rugby. It’s a ten-minute walk from my house and no one gets into boxing matches requiring riot police, a la PSG games. But what’s up with those horrible new Stade Francais uniforms, focusing on pink and Andy Warhol-like images? The red, white and blue ones (like the French flag) were far superior. Why do the Parisians put up with that new look?
Stefanie… thanx for your kind note! I shall think about a smoking post then!! Stay tuned!!
Paris Parfait… I liked the pink one but this season’s version is rather poor indeed. But one must admit: le Stade Français has turned French rugby into something else, something bigger. And i’m all for more rugby in life. And more wine too. These two things make our world a better place!
ah, now i understand better why i always got admiring looks from parisiens anytime i mentioned that i know half of Le Stade Français (me being south african, like half of the paris rugbyteam)
i read your blog religiously, and after 2 years in france i really miss it so much! but i am sitting underneath a palmtree, drinking rum & coconut juice in moçambique, living the life so to speak…
but still i miss Paris… thanks for your blog!
Meow… thanks for your kind words!! You’re killing me there with your palm trees and coconut juice stories!! Have you ever been in Paris in November?!! This is torture!!
)… he definitely had the drinking style of a Springbok. I also interviewed Pieter de Villiers once. He seemed to be good people!
Half of the Stade Français players South Africans… come on, lets be serious here Meow!! I did party once with Brian Liebenberg (who, for the records is now French
Allez, you enjoy the Sun and I’ll do my best to enjoy the rain!!
One of my Parisian students just told me that he likes le PSG. I was surprised because just the day before our lesson, I had read this entry. So I couldn’t help it, I was like, “The PSG? Really now?”
Sharline… I bet you a glass of wine at O Chateau that he grew up in the banlieue…