From the bestselling author of the A YEAR IN THE MERDE and MERDE ACTUALLY, comes an indispensable, tongue-in-cheek, guide to the quirks and foibles of the French
A Frenchman goes into a pub with a giant snail on his shoulder.
The barman says, “Wow, where did you find that?”
The snail replies “In France, there are loads of them.”
The French can’t see why this would be funny at all – it dares to suggest that they are not at the centre of the universe. Why would the barman be talking to the snail? Surely there can’t be anyone better to talk to than a Frenchman?
If you have ever found yourself trapped in an airport/train station/traffic jam due to self-righteously striking French employees, or subjected to the withering stare that French waiters seem to reserve especially for the well-intentioned foreigner, or even just attempting the most basic interaction with a French person – this hilarious little guide is just what you need.
From how to get served in a St Germain café to the monumental importance of ‘bonjour’, from the perils of mispronunciation to the dubious consequences of subsidised culture, with his customary wit and astute observations, Stephen Clarke skilfully guides us through the quagmire of Gallic idiosyncrasies, and shows us how to get the best, and what we really want, from the French.
Full of real-life anecdotes and seriously useful advice, this is essential reading for anyone even thinking of visiting La France
