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The Xenophobe's Guide to the
French
by Nick Yapp and Michel Syrett
A guide to understanding the French that
explores the raison d'etre behind the Gallic facade
with humour and style.
The
Xenophobe's Guide to the French
is now available on Kindle
CLICK HERE FOR KINDLE
STORE UK
CLICK HERE FOR
KINDLE STORE USA
| Anything goes |
| The French are
the most faddish people in the world; They love
ideas, concepts, innovations - playing around
with things, like democracy, railway systems,
architecture. It's not the practical end of the
road they're interested in, but the journey, the
possibilities, hence the way they drive, as
though safe arrival at their destination was the
last thing on their minds. |
| I drink
therefore I am |
| France is a country that
eats, drinks and breathes philosophy. There is
not a farmer, fisherman, waiter, car-worker,
shop assistant or housewife who isn't a closet
Diderot or Descartes, a Saint-Simon or a Sartre. |
| Souls of the
soil |
| Intellectually and
spiritually the French still associate
themselves very much with the land,
romanticising rural and village life to wild
improbabilities. Inside every Bordeaux
technocrat or sophisticated Parisian beats the
heart of a genuine paysan. |
| Dress for power |
| French politicians look
smart because power itself is chic, attractive,
seductive, and one should dress to look the
part. The French electorate would never allow
any government to intervene in their lives if it
were shabbily dressed. |
| Although I do not plan to visit
France, I still bought, read, and thoroughly
enjoyed this book. It's always fascinating to
learn about the perspective of cultures
different from your own. This book is quick,
easy, enjoyable reading. |
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Florida, USA
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| Very, very, TRUE. |
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London, UK
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| This book is
lettuce to my snails. Being a frog myself
reading this book comforted me in my belief that
our arrogance was justified. Joke apart it is a
jolly good read and ever so funny. Everyone
should read it. |
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Guenin, France
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| Short, aphoristic, seriously
funny, not that xenophobic and almost entirely
apt guide, perfect homework for the fortunate on
ferry or plane. |
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The Observer
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| La France comes to life in this
tongue-in-cheek pocket guide, a textual romp
that disguises a lot of information about France
with an irreverent brush. |
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Southern Cross
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Nationalism and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language |
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