When fashion takes over – The stereotypes
Fashion is very subjective - whatever people want to make you believe with influencers and designers brain washing people, it is not true for most people.
In the end, what matters is being comfortable in your skin and be strong enough to be free to express your fashion style.
I can be very judgmental myself and my first looks can be of chock and criticism on how people are dressed.
As mentioned, it is important to respect people’ s different style, but it does not mean that some style burn the back of your retina!
Would the way a person is dressed, influence me on my interaction with that person? Of course NOT.
But it does not mean that you do not have all those preconceptions, stereotypes as we say that influence your thoughts.
We can all be outrage about the stereotypes of your country or culture but let’s face it, it does not come from nowhere.
As we say, there is no smoke without fire and when you walk in the street you can see it if you are actually open about it and ready to acknowledge.
Emily in Paris – the stereotypes
I am French from the suburb of Paris and I worked in a large company in France.
I was choked when I was hearing about all the criticism that this series received, the fake stereotypes everyone was screaming about.
And I was wondering why people were screaming except if they actually bury their head in the sand.
My experience is that the series is not all lies, at all!
First of all, I LOVE the way Emily dresses, I can really see myself wearing those outfits.
Secondly, most of the comments are taking everything to the first degree, I do not recall anyone questioning how Monica could have such an apartment in New-York by herself, or even with Rachel in Friends.
Her apartment, of course the apartment is going to be well placed and very nice, they are not going to put her in an actual “chambre de bonne”.
Is it actually looking over the Eiffel tower? Is it really 5 minutes’ walk from her work!
Since when you watch T.V for seeing actual dilapidated under roof tiny rooms looking up a dirty alleyway?
Would it happen for someone who does not speak French to be sent to Paris for a full-time job? Probably not but it is part of the funny part of the show!
Can you walk in Paris with high heels the way she does! Well maybe, but no one made those comments for Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City which is pretty much same situation!
And last one is that advertisement company such a terrible company that only her ideas are fine and will save the company! Of course not, this company is depicted as successful already but once again, it is about showing off the main character!
Now let’s review the stereotypes that are mentioned and I could read so many comments about and my experience and take on them
French couples and affairs
As mentioned the comments I will make are based on my experience and my believes.
Have I seen people having affairs in offices and the answer is YES.
I used to actually have to send flowers to the wife and the mistress as part of my duty. Was I choked at the time, indeed I was but no one around me was!
Were people talking at coffee break about their girlfriends even though I well knew they were married and the answer is YES
Does it mean that every single couple in France has affairs, the answer is NO but is it something that happens often, my answer is YES.
Was the percentage of men versus women having affairs was different? I think so, mostly men but I also knew of a few women.
There were also open relationships.
Did the second half new about it? That is when I have to say no in most of the cases.
French men prefer older women
OK I have to admit that my experience of that subject is more limited than the one about affairs, but I have to admit that French men do not pay attention to age.
I have personal examples of relationships where the men are 5, 10, 15 years younger but I also have the opposite where the women are younger.
My conclusion from experience is that men do not care about the age as long as they are attracted to the person.
French people are rude and mean
I can relate to this one very well.
I can actually see why outsider could think that French people are rude and mean.
I have to disagree about the stereotype that French people are mean, people are not mean and are very kind most of the time, like anywhere you do have the occasional mean person but this is more personality related than culture related.
Now when it comes to rudeness….
I cannot be as adamant that we are not rude or perceived as rude…
But I need to add a subtilty that rudeness can be seen when it is confidence that is portrayed by the person.
This is something that is very French, we are strong minded and confident and this can be seen as rudeness due to the way we talk and carry ourselves or talk.
So rude, not really, confident ABSOLUTELY!
French men are upfront
This is a little delicate as I would not say French men but French people.
Yes, the French are much more open and straightforward when it comes to ask someone out and show their interest.
I found that much easier and allow to show interest back or not.
Having lived abroad for over 20 years, my experience with non-French showed me the different and I prefer the French way to be honest.
Men have found me aggressive, but in my opinion, it was more being upfront instead of wasting time and wondering “Does he? Does he not?”
Life is too short to wonder for ever!
French men are good looking
OK this one is easy; can we actually put all French men and say that they are good looking? NO
But is the percentage of good looking men in France higher than where I have been? The answer is definitely YES!
Nevertheless, Sweden is full of eye candies everywhere …. that was just disturbing! Just beautiful people on manners, style and physically!
I felt I was in a movie where I walked in Stockholm, but French average is much higher in my opinion that some other countries which I will not mention.
Anyway, I personally cannot wait for Season2….of Emily in Paris
The housewife’s….of Beverley hills, Orange Country, New-York and others…
So I started watching the shows, just as a background noise to do my cleaning and suddenly realised that my cleaning was not being done that much!
I was shocked and hooked!
But is this show not typical stereotypes of rich people with too much money and time on their hands!
Can all housewives relate to that life style? Of course, NOT, but is the drama addictive: DEFINITELY!
Anyway, you do get caught on the way they dress and the house display that you see.
It is very interesting though to compare the way the different cities dress and leave.
I must admit that Beverley Hills are the most dramatic and wear the shortest dress and this is where you can see the stereotypes of California.
Blond, skinny and wearing very little and the DRAMA!
New- York are a little less dramatic and more sophisticated but the social recognition is more upfront.
Also, the size of the houses/apartments is definitely different and it is easier to relate to New-York size apartment!
Nevertheless, I have to confess that I was influenced by one of the episode of the House wives of Beverley Hills, when they went to Paris and looked at designer bags.
I fell in love with a bag my Stella McCartney and found a way to buy one second hand in perfect condition, my little pleasure that I cherish…
Ok here is a funny fact!
I was in a market in France buying some melons, when the man selling the melons just said, “OK then I will put those directly in your bag!” And my reaction was o look of horror, the disbelief in my reaction was palpable.... "you cannot be serious here, look at that beautiful designer bag!" obviously he could not know what type of bag it was
His reaction was to be taken aback, he probably thought that I was snob, precious or something of the sort!
Would he consider me rude with my loud “NO” and my look horrified of his suggestion! How could anyone even consider doing such a thing.
So was I mean, rude and snob…. definitely..... in his opinion!
I guess some stereotypes….stick a little LOL
Until the next time, wishing you all a wonderful week….
