Stuff Parisians Like

Happy New Year!!

lundi, janvier 7th, 2013

May this New Year be full of love, laughter and good health for you.

I wanted to take this opportunity to say hey and apologize for not posting much lately. These past few months have been a real whirlwind for me. But they’ve been fantastic (opened this new wine bar, filmed a wine TV show, and – last but not least – got married!).

I feel truly blessed and know that a lot of the good things that have been happening to me, I owe to you – the readers of this blog.

Hopefully, I should be back online more in 2013 with a new blogging project. I have also been working on my next book, which will be a wine book (with a twist) – really excited about that as well.

OK – enough about me. I hope you are all doing great.

A bientôt!

Olivier

« Le mot Décalé »

mardi, mai 22nd, 2012

Nouvel article sur notre blog « Stuff Parisians Like »

Il concerne le mot décalé!!

All French people agree that Parisians are not normal people.

Provinciaux deem that Parisians are below normal, usually beyond repair.

Parisians on the other hand know full well that they navigate far beyond the norm.

Such a striking opposition lies in the very definition each have of « the norm ». While outside Paris, the norm has to do with a set of values and behaviors, in Paris, it has to do with the populace: Parisians don’t see the concept, they see the numbers.

No matter how sorry the lifestyle of the Paris people may be, most will develop advanced reality-dodging strategies to convince themselves that they are not a part of the populace (« C’est tout petit mais le séjour est super lumineux« , « Le quartier est génial. Bon, faut pas rentrer seule le soir bien sûr, mais sinon c’est top »…)

The ultimate destination of their dodging artifacts is to be found in the realm of culture. Thankfully for Parisians, while there is no such thing as a pseudo lifestyle, there is no shortage of pseudo-culture for Parisians to hope to harness their above-the-normness to. So Parisians tap endlessly into this fantastic source of easy differentiation. Conveniently enough, the more petty, the more superficial, the more differentiating.

But a city of impoverished wannabes gets the cultural and intellectual life it deserves: that of followers. The city of avant-garde, cultural boldness and creative brilliance is now populated by a militia of unsuspecting but zealous agents of cultural destruction. While Parisians no longer have the talent or the guts to truly think, act and invent accordingly, they have gained much comfort in the thought of continuing, of adapting, of imitating. They don’t rebel, revolt or revolutionize, they reinterpret. What makes the norm is never questioned, instead, the dominant way of acting and thinking is always accepted as irremediably evident and thus only marginally adapted, harmlessly amended.

The adjective that epitomizes this evolution is « décalé« . Coolness in Paris lies in being off-beat. Everything can be décalé: a decor, a meal, a personality, a look, an idea, etc. Visitors ought to be cautious not to be push it however: being off-beat is utterly cool in Paris but questioning the beat shall be judged as extremism (or, if you’re white, as racism, even if the topic tackled has nothing to do with races).

All the freedom, identity and intelligence Parisians need lie in that tiny space between the norm and the « décalé« .

Parisians whom, as most Western urbanites, view themselves as educated, are oblivious to their staggering adoption and strict observance of this new norm: they are free and having fun.

Having turned into such unsuspecting tools, most Parisians are indeed far below the street smart common sense levels of normal people: provinciaux were right. But so were Parisians: they are indeed far beyond the traditional norm to which they have substituted a new gooey norm. One they furtively carry and relentlessly advocate.

The population of this brave new city sets an example that should pervade – normalize if you will – the rest of France and soon enough turn into a brave new country: fully in-line and fully décalé, that is.

Sound like a Parisian: « Non, le truc était hyper décalé, vraiment, excellent! »

Useful tip: Impress your French friend by translating « let’s go » by « on décale ». (Neat argot for you!!)

Nouvel article sur le blog

lundi, octobre 24th, 2011

Etre en couple

Lire la suiet de l’article ici…

Nouvel article sur le blog

jeudi, août 25th, 2011

Les Expats

When it comes to professional life, Parisians find themselves in a catch-22. They want the seriousness that makes a real job. And the sense of adventure that makes a real life.

Needless to say, such positions are hard to obtain.

“Real job” for Parisians implies either a corporate job or working for a prestigious institution. All other jobs are not serious. “Real life” implies the possibility of waking up to the ocean on the weekend and exposure to other cultures, while of course enjoying an eminently comfortable lifestyle.

Given these parameters, it will come as no surprise that Parisians love expats. Being an expat brings the best of both worlds: a good, well-paid position in a foreign yet cozy environment. Bingo!

Parisians would all like at some point in their career to be sent overseas on an expat contract. Since these days—as Parisians like to complain— »ils ne font plus de contrats d’expat », many Parisians are given opportunities overseas on a « contrat local« . This option is acceptable for Parisians under thirty-five and for destinations where salaries are significant. If these two conditions are not met, chances are the Parisian is more into real job than real real life. Expat contracts having become scarce, those who obtain them tend to be on the efficient side and are therefore probably more into real jobs.

While Parisians look up to their fellow Parisians who go exploring on a mission, they do enjoy the possibility to socialize with foreign expats. Having an expat friends displays fantastic « ouverture internationale » and implies that the Parisian is both a gracious host and possibly a polyglot. Talking about his expat friend, the Parisian will always mention his nationality: “Tu sais, Mark, mon copain expat canadien.” He will also make mention of the quality of his position: “Il a un très gros poste chez Microsoftun type assez brillant vraiment.” The Parisian will always compliment his expat friend publicly on his French: “Non, vraiment, il parle très bien. Non, c’est vrai Mark, tu as fait de gros progrès.” The Parisian doesn’t think Mark’s French is any good but he likes to come across as the benevolent paternalist mentor.

Having an expat friend is about adding glow to the Parisian’s life. Not all countries come with the same glamorous touch. Having an American expat friend is the ultimate luxury, then comes South American, then other Anglo countries, then Italy. Having expat friends from any other country will only be acceptable in left-wing circles for whom the betrayal of having friends in the corporate world (losers) will be compensated by the unlikeliness of their country of origin.

Expats arriving in Paris are usually very keen to make Parisian friends and to work on their French. Soon enough, they give up on French and, not long after, on Parisians. Those who love the city enough end up re-creating a Parisian life with compatriots, other international folks and Parisians who have lived abroad long enough. Those who don’t just leave—disenchanted.

For Parisians with social ambitions, the proportion of expats and foreigners at the events they organize is the safest way not only to attract what they deem to be Parisians of quality but also to place themselves on a nice international pedestal—with both their expat and Parisian friends.

Interestingly enough, in Paris, the quality of a social circle will be judged predominantly on the proportion of its internationals. The higher the proportion, the more desirable the circle.

Having many international friends helps Parisians overcome their catch-22. They keep their serious job, while getting a taste of adventure through their international friends. Between real job and real life, Parisians choose not to choose: they opt for real Parisian life.

Useful tip: Saturday nights are « International’s Nights » at O Chateau: 20% off on your check if you come with an accent or a foreign passport.

Sound like a Parisian: « Je peux venir avec mon copain expat? Tu sais, l’Américain, de Boston . . . tu vas voir, il est très sympa. »

You like the blog? You’ll love the book (hopefully): Stuff Parisians Like is available here…

Lancement du livre Stuff Parisians Like

vendredi, juillet 1st, 2011

Ca y est, le livre est enfin arrivé…

New York Magazine l’a déjà qualifié de « Hilariously Perceptive ».

Lancement et dédicace le 5 juillet à partir de 17h30 chez Ô Chateau. Pour commander le livre, cliquez ici.

Quelques photos…

lundi, mars 21st, 2011

Notre nouveau bar à vins est une petite merveille. 300m2 dédiés au vin et à la dégustation. A votre disposition: 3 salons privatisables pour vos événements pro ou privés, 4 grands vins au verre chaque soir, plus de 500 références, des cours d’oenologie quotidiens, une chef talentueuse, de la bonne musique et bien d’autres choses encore. pour vous mettre en appétit, quelques photos…





Le salon:

La Vinothèque

La cave.



A très bientôt chez Ô Chateau


Ô Chateau
68, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau – 75001 Paris
Tel: 01 44 73 97 80
Métro: Louvre-Rivoli (line 1) or Etienne Marcel (line 4).

www.o-chateau.fr

La testostérone

dimanche, février 6th, 2011

Trois types d’hommes coexistent à Paris : les homos qui ont l’air gay, les hétéros qui ont l’air gay, et les hommes de plus de cinquante ans.

Il n’est pas aisé d’avoir plus de cinquante ans à Paris. La majorité des quinquagénairespeut facilement être identifiée comme hétérosexuelle : ceci trahit leur âge avancé et – développer un look gay après cinquante ans n’étant pas chose aisée – les contraint à l’accepter, sans chercher à le travestir.

Les Parisiens de moins de cinquante ans n’ont, Dieu merci, pas ces problèmes. Ils peuvent sans s’inquiéter avoir l’air gay sans que personne ne les suspecte d’être d’une génération déclinante. A Paris, nombre d’homosexuels, c’est compréhensible, développent dans leurs choix vestimentaires et leurs attitudes un air gay. Le visiteur de passage s’étonnera c’est sûr qu’il en soit largement de même pour le Parisien hétérosexuel .

A Paris, le corps mâle est chétif: c’est là une règle d’or; un objectif atteint facilement grâce à des années entières passées à ne jamais pratiquer aucun sport, ni ne manger ou ne boire à l’excès. Pour couvrir leur corps glorieux, les mâles parisiens optent pour des vêtements qui naviguent généralement entre le « passe-partout » et le « qui fait gay ». Quel que soit l’objet de leur choix, il convient de comprendre qu’ils n’ont jamais l’impression de « faire gay ».  Pour eux, ils sont “bien, normal”.

Les attitudes gay sont à observer à travers le même prisme. Si de nombreux homosexuels se comportent comme des gays pour des raisons évidentes, le visiteur sera là encore surpris de voir combien les mâles hétérosexuels à Paris se comportent, aussi, généralement, comme des gays. Se comporter comme un gay est devenu une habitude française récente, héritage totémique de trois décennies d’institutionnalisation d’une vision guimauvienne et pacifiste du monde et de l’espèce humaine. Mais là encore, le Parisien déploie les petites vermines françaises dans des galaxies inexplorées: tandis que la plupart des mâles français se comportent comme des gays sur des sujets donnés, les Parisiens font tapis et appliquent cette logique au plus clair de leurs actions et de leurs décisions. Se comporter en « vrai mec » est largement déconsidéré – cette politique affichant il est vrai de façon trop criarde des caractéristiques qui à Paris renvoient à un manque d’intelligence et de raffinement : les notions de force, de masculinité, de puissance physique et d’opinions ou de valeurs tranchées sont ainsi devenues fort suspectes à Paris. Elles sont perçues comme la porte ouverte à la brutalité. Le Parisien le sait:  » De toute façon, excuse-moi, mais un vrai mec, c’est pas des gros muscles, c’est avant tout quelqu’un qui sait prendre ses responsabilités« .

A ce stade, d’aucuns pourraient ressentir de la compassion pour la femme parisienne. D’aucuns devraient en ce cas garder leur compassion pour les homosexuels parisiens : ils sont en effet sans doute les seuls à appeler de leur vœux un sursaut de testostérone dans leur ville. Le Parisien se croit en toute bonne foi au-delà des activités ou des attitudes qui témoignent d’une forme de virilité. La Parisienne quant à elle ignore plus ou moins délibérément le phénomène : si son compagnon a l’air complètement gay, c’est principalement car “c’est un mec hyper sympa, très fin, vraiment intelligent”. La Parisienne a atteint un niveau de sagesse qui lui permet de dépasser ses inclinations naturelles. La virilité – pour attrayante qu’elle soit dans le noir d’une salle de projection ou le brillant d’un magazine – est dans la vraie vie à n’en pas douter rude, malodorante et inconfortable. L’idée saugrenue selon laquelle certains hommes virils puissent aussi se révéler des êtres raffinés est trop saugrenue pour être envisagée sérieusement par la Parisienne.

Les exemples de tels phénomènes de foire sont en effet suffisamment rares à Paris pour pouvoir en déduire sereinement que la règle qui prévaut à Paris doit sans doute être loi naturelle.


Conseil utile: Ne vous méprenez pas : avoir l’air gay en tout point ne signifie pas être gay.

Parlez parisien: « J’suis allé faire un peu de shopping: un p’tit t-shirt col V, des p’tites lunettes Kenzo et des espadrilles. Tranquille, quoi, pour l’été… »

L’humour anglais

jeudi, décembre 16th, 2010

Vu de Paris, l’Angleterre ne semble être terre fort accueillante. Le Parisien aime à décliner la longue litanie des afflctions dont la perfide Albion semble être l’alpha si bien que l’omega: mauvais temps, alcoolisme, laideur, hooliganisme, pratiques alimentaires révoltantes. Il n’est, semble-t-il, pas de rédemption.

However, there is one aspect of the English culture Parisians look up to.Oddly enough, it is not a phenomenon but instead an actual fringe of the English society: that is upper class English people. Parisians thrive on the mythology of the “vieux lord anglais” and its escort of enchanting adverbs and manners. This mythology feeds a tiny but indisputable inferiority complex rooted in the prestigious mystique of England’s academic institutions. It is clear to all Parisians that England shapes its elite better than France does. The legend of Eton, Cambridge and Oxford is undoubtedly more vibrant in Paris than it could ever be in the UK.

Parisians all wish they could have English humor. They revere the inherent distinction, discreet wisdom and smiley distance that come in the English humor package; add the English true gourmandise in the choice of their words and a talent for measured eccentricity and you’ll find the Parisian irremediably charmed. In good English company, the world seems to be freed from triviality. Though Parisians proclaim as often as they can their indefectible love for English humor, most can not deal too well with absurdity. As much as reality can be disturbing, Parisians have a hard time resolving themselves to let go of it for a second.

This relationship to reality explains that characters like Benny Hill or Mr. Bean do not gather unanimous support in Paris. On the topic of English humor, Parisians rarely refrain from using the adjective pince-sans-rire. They are somehow jealous of that trait of English culture that allows its people to be intelligent and fun at the same time. They wished they too could juggle with humor and wit and be socially rewarded for it.

But it is too late. Paris has drenched the spark in most eyes. Humor is a mental exercise the city does not foster. Thus reinforcing Parisians’ in their vision that the gap between them and upper class English simply cannot be bridged. This vaguely depressing and resignated thought satisfies the Parisian. So much for wanting to be humorous. Useful tip: Anyone down to reintroduce humor in Paris? Sound like a Parisian: « Oh Hugh Grant j’adore; le côté très british, élégant, très fin, pince-sans-rire: excellent!» …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. UNRELATED NOTE- Happy Holidays everyone! Just a quick note to thank those of you who have bought their own copy of « Dessine-moi un Parisien ». Thanks to you, the book sold 15,000 copies in about a month (which is kinda big for France). The publisher sold out and is reprinting new copies. I am quite excited. Just wanted to share the good news.

(English) B.itching about waiters

jeudi, octobre 7th, 2010

 

(English) And the winner is…

jeudi, septembre 2nd, 2010