The Insiders' Guide to St. Barths: French Snubbed?

Good Morning Lowcountry
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Je parle mauvais francais (I speak bad French)

That's a large exaggeration, but GMLc tries, which means a lot to the French.

Parisians are on a charm offensive to change their surly image, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. Foreigners think the French are rude. They don't think they are rude at all.

Paris officials are asking Paris cab drivers to please smile, and they're telling service workers to please drop the attitude.

The French, in turn, say they'd appreciate it if travelers to their country would explain, in French, that they don't speak French before they demand that English be spoken. It's only been a century since French was considered the universal language, and old habits die hard.

GMLc, being diplomatic, has no opinion, but we were snubbed once — make that twice — in France ... by a clerk at a high-end Paris department store and by a bartender in Boulogne who laughed when we asked "Avez-vous water?"

At least, we think we were snubbed. Not being able to speak much of the language made it hard to tell. The clerk probably decided college-age GMLc couldn't afford anything in the store. The bartender might have been laughing before we came in and asked for water. Who knows?

Anyway, the ongoing Tour de France bicycle race (which after three stages will change its name to Tour de Spills) gives us an opportunity to practice our vocabulary... depart, arrivee, maillot jaune (that yellow jersey) ... and our accents terrible.

Maybe the French forgive American Tour de France race announcer Bob Roll, who says "It's the Tour DAY France! We'll be right back."

Bastille Day, July 14, which falls on Saturday this year, is an annual opportunity to celebrate toutes les French stuff.

Alliance Francaise de Charleston will celebrate Bastille Day on Friday at Freshfields Village (at the Seabrook/Kiawah islands roundabout) starting at 4 p.m.

The historical regions of Aquitaine, Bretagne, Paris/Ile de France and Provence will be highlighted with food and entertainment. Members of the group will demonstrate the can-can; Jesse Cockcroft will play French chansons on the accordion; petanque, or boules, games will be played.

It's all Notre Prix Prefere. Call Gigi Sireyjol at 276-5797 for more information or see afusa.org/af/charleston.

Nous sommes fabuleux (We are fabulous)

Travelers find the Lowcountry charming and hospitable. At least, Travel + Leisure magazine readers do. They have voted two Lowcountry hotels among the Top 5 Best Hotels in the Continental U.S. and Canada.

The hotels are Woodlands Resort & Inn in Summerville (No. 2) and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island (No. 5). The other three: Tu Tu' Tun Lodge in Gold Beach, Ore.; Post Hotel & Spa on Lake Louise, Alberta; and Blantyre in Lenox, Mass.

Il fait chaud (It's hot)

The wages of parking one hour in downtown Charleston at lunchtime were this: When we got back into the car, it registered an outside temperature of 105 degrees. That was in the sun ... on pavement ... at noon. Still.

Weather Underground says it was only 90. The National Weather Service said it was 94 and forecast it would go down to 85 by Saturday, Bastille Day. Local news channels, meanwhile, say it will go up ... to 96 degrees and 99 degrees and will feel like 110 degrees when humidity is factored in.

It's July. We expect this. Plus, the National Weather Service has advised us to stay cool.

But we can't help but feel sorry for the carriage horses who are still plodding the 105-in-the-sun streets of Charleston.

GMLc

Call 937-5564. Write gmlc@postandcourier.com. Find the blog at gmlc.typepad.com.

Ric