[quote=briansd1][quote=desmond]I think you have a very small view on sports that seems to come from the bragging about what “so and so” did in high school. Everybody is sick of that. [/quote]
Yeah, you read me so well.
I’m sick of my friends telling of their past glory. One day, I’ll snap and respond: “how is the fxxk is that helping you now?”
Perhaps Mitt Romney, who speaks French and lived in France with French families could agree with me. I share the same experience but not as a missionary.
The French have this wonderful food culture and food intuition that we lack here in America. There is this concept of being “bien eleve” meaning well-bred. It’s not so much about class but about comportment and propriety. It’s the art of living.
That includes having proper meals at the proper time. A well-bred family sits down for dinner. The meal could be very simple such as vegetable soup, salad and a beef stew, all in appropriate portions followed with some cheese and dessert.
The soup would not be a Progresso can, but freshly made soup (could be simple boiled vegetables blended with some chicken stock, some creme fraiche and salt and black pepper). Salad dressing would be simple vinaigrette.
A meal is never grab-and-go pizza or bologna sandwiches. Cereal for dinner? Sacrilege!!
Unfortunately, globalization is taking its course and even the French are losing their culture. They are becoming fat in our example.
About sports, in America, we have the most rigorous training and the best programs. Their primary goal is to create the best winning athletes.[/quote]
Brian: I’m with KSM on this one: Kinda hard to disagree and you make some good points. However, I’d ask one question: When’s the last time you were in Paris (or Brussels) visting? I remember the Paris you mentioned, but it’s truly been a while (mid-1990s). As of late, the Parisians (and Londoners and Berliners) are, sadly, more like Americans and in some of the worst ways (constantly checking their devices, doing the grab-and-go lunch or dinner and moving at a faster pace.)
I’d actually opine that the Italians are doing a better job of resisting “Americanization” (and it’s not “globalization” that’s doing this, it’s the inexorable sprawl of the American mono-culture).
Yeah, France should ban McDonalds. Along with Disney. There is much to love about the French culture, especially the desire of the French to maintain its distinction and history.
And Americans have truly lost their minds when it comes to sports. I coach and it seems like it gets worse every single year. No, sir, your 9 old is NOT going to be playing in the NFL, so please don’t spend $4,000 on a QB camp this summer.
