11 Responses to “(English) The word Petit”

1. Anne Corrons dit :

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   In NYC, big is perfect everywhere! Small is so bad!
2. ron pruett dit :

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   In France, even a small body(and body parts) is desirable. Non?
3. Paris Parfait dit :

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   I was laughing while reading this. C’est vrai, Olivier! Everything here must be « petit; » otherwise one is regarded as vulgar (or with disdain, for obviously engaging in pleasure, i.e. laughing or smiling too much).
4. nate dit :

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   This had me cracking up. I love your blog Olivier — you’re spot on with your insights. I’ve remarked about the use of « petit » in France the past, but you’ve expressed it way better and with so much more nuance than I could have.

   It’s funny, as an american here in paris, I frequently get comments on my enthusiasm and optimism. Thanks to your blog, I now realize I’m the subject of contempt. You know what though, being negative and critical sounds to me like a bad way to live. I’d prefer to be seen as « mildly retarded » (cf. your quote about enthusiasm from a previous post) than have to put up the kind of front they do here.
5. Olivier Magny dit :

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   Couldn’t agree more Nate!
6. simon dit :

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   … and at the same time « on s’est fait une Grosse Soiree » means something rude and dirty, with a lot of alcohol and fun, and obviously, sex

   … term preferred by males of course!
7. Kenzie Shores dit :

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   good to know
8. Polly-Vous Francais dit :

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   It took me a long time to get adjusted to being asked for « une petite signature » when signing for my credit card. (Yeah, I know, the American one with no « puce. » ) At first I thought the salespeople wanted me to write in small letters…
9. Esther dit :

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   We’ll say « t’es vraiment un petit con » to a good friend and « quel gros con celui-là » for the persons that we really don’t like.
   I learn a lot with you!!!
   thanks
10. Olivier Magny dit :

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    Anne… Is it just NY or all of America?
    Ron… I love these urban legends about th French sexual preferences!! I guess delicate rather than small would work here – for a woman only!
    Paris Parfait…
    Simon… see, that’s why I like to travel! In Paris, ‘alcohol, fun and sex’ is ‘rude and dirty’. Boy!!
    Polly… very funny! Great example!
    Esther… I tend to go the opposite. Maybe cause I’m a guy!
11. Sandy dit :

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    I loved this article! Now it makes sense why they call it « La petite mort » …I would want to call it « La gross morte »…but that is the American thinking.