Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Finally something exciting is happening in this blog!! A very famous French blogger, Cecile, asked if I would answer a few questions for her blog. I don't know if you all realize it, but I'm a pretty big deal in France- the tabloids just ran photos of me topless on a beach with Carla Bruni (I was topless, Carla was not -despite my pleading). It makes me so angry that they don't respect our privacy. Anyway her line of questioning will be based on the "Chinese Portrait", I've never heard of this form of questioning but it's common in France- An example of such a question would be "If Paris was a color, what color would it be?" I agreed to answer her questions (my answers will, undoubtedly, suck) on the condition that she answer 20 questions for me. She has foolishly agreed. My questions will have no format- just French things I have wondered about.

I've been putting together some questions but since everyone who reads this blog loves Paris - except for that anonymous chick that noone likes- this is a great opportunity to ask those nagging questions you have. What do you want to know from a real, live Parisienne? Politics, dating, art, living in the big city, fashion, making out on the first date, boxers vs briefs- anything you need to know now is your chance. Even if you are an expat who has been living in Paris for years certainly there is something you'd like to ask.

I'm calling all of you out- Self-Taught Artist, LDP, Demetrius, Karyn, Lil Bro, Michelle, Big Bros, Chef Brocket, Dyna, New Reader Mindy, Jersey hoodlums, Polly Vous Francais, Jay, La Belette Rouge,Kate, Panic in New York, Our Family in Paris, Barcelona Kevin, Catalan Laura, Aralena, Solvakia, Taryn, Melissa, San Francisco, all those people that read the blog but never comment- we want questions from you. A chance to ask a real live french woman whatever you want. I'll compile the questions and forward them to her. Answers will be published soon.

You can leave the questions in the comment section or, if you are shy, email me mgmullaney@mac.com

13 comments:

Karyn said...

Hm. I tried to read her blog but my Francais is so low-level that I was reduced to picking out words I know and wondering what kind of slant I should attach to them. I think I got the first paragraph. It took twenty minutes but I think I got it. I shall commence with parisian ponderings forthwith. I have no idea where that sentence came from. Where the hell are some oreos? I need some oreos.

Got oreos in paris? Nah, I didn't really think you did.

Misplaced said...

I bablefish it- helps with the general gist

p said...

what language do the french think sounds exotic? seeing as i think anything in french sounds delicous even if someone is telling you to go $#!@ yourself.

Panic in New York said...

Is it true that French women like middle aged, slightly balding, Irish American men?

Anonymous said...

I'm a big fan of Cecile's blog. Kudos on your well-deserved praise!

Okay, here's my question for la belle Cecile:

"How do French people nail someone as American so easily?"

It's, like, so unfair! I can be wearing 100% French-bought clothes, a French haircut, and before I even open my mouth, sales clerks or waiters address me in English more often than not. If this keeps up I may revert to wearing New Balance sneakers, thick socks, and LLBean outfits on rainy days in Paris, instead of trying for Le Look.

Karine said...

Paris is gorgeous!
I can't wait to come back someday!

;)

Anonymous said...

Chinese portrait, I never heard of that, but I love the concept. Good q b/c I do wonder what color Paris would be, and also what smell would it be, more importantly. Dior Homme? Can you ask how I can get a job (and man) there at the same time. I can't wait to read the results.

Andrea said...

I would like to know if you're supposed to leave a tip when you go to the hairdresser and if so, how/when/where...

La Belette Rouge said...

Misplaced, thanks for the invite to play!!
Q: What do you think of men in speedos?
What is the best way to pass for a Parisian when in Paris? ( The flip side of Polly's question).
What is the real reason French women don't get fat?
What is French comfort food or fast food? I am sure it isn't Kraft Macaroni and Cheese with catsup( my husband's gross comfort food of choice).

Cécile Qd9 said...

@ Karyn : of course we have Oreos... even those with the white chocolate topping. I admit my blog is full of private jokes, play on word and slang... may be it's quite difficult to translate with babelfish. For example "avoir une sacrée belle plume" doesn't mean that you have "a beautiful sacred feather" but that you write cvery well.

@ Self taught artist : italian !

@ panic in new york : lol
look at the naked guy in the left column of my blog...

@ Polly same problem for me in England and Turkey... The smell may be... No, just kidding.

@ Mindy : if I knew it, I would keep it for me and become rich being a head hunter and giving advice... ;o)

@ Andrea : yes you are, unless the personn who took care of your hair is the boss

@ La belette rouge : I dn't know what speedoos are. May be I'l get a chance to answe the other questions if mister Misplaced decides to ask them to me. ;o)

Well, it appears I can't resist the temptation to answer as soon as I read what you ask. If I continue to read the comments of this message, I guess that Mr Misplaced won't get the opportunity to ask me anithing at all. I'll resist... Yes, I can do it.

LDP said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LDP said...

First of all, Cecile, if you don't know what Speedos are, then consider yourself lucky. You don't want to know.

What's your favorite neighborhood in Paris?

Also, forget Panic in New York's question. The better question is, is it true that French women like middle aged, graying Italian American men? (I know, the answer is, "of course," right?)

Demetrius Romanos said...

I'd like to know maybe 5 French slang words that make you sound a bit cooler and in the know.