From time to time I do a French course just to remind myself that I once studied the language. To see what’s still lurking in the depths of my brain. I enjoy the month-long challenges taught online by the ebullient Géraldine Lepère. At the moment I’m right in the middle of 30 days of Les Merveilles de la France. I am full of admiration for the confidence of that nation. I’m sure that people from any other country could easily spend 30 days marvelling at its wonders, but I just don’t know if they would. Italy might, but definitely not England, which is going through a prolonged identity crisis. We are the country that gave birth to Shakespeare, Jane Austen and the Beatles. London is one of the most fabulous cities in the world, our royal family is endlessly entertaining and their jewels are fabulous. Although we could spend 30 days blowing our own trumpet, so to speak, we just wouldn’t.
Which is unfortunate because pride in our country has become associated with the far right, tainting the very idea of patriotism. The French, however, seem to be unashamedly proud of their country and their culture, whatever their political leanings. For instance, our 30-day challenge includes seven days on L’art de vivre. I think it’s a brave nation that believes it’s mastered the art of living, but now that I’ve completed the full week I can reveal that it was based entirely on food and drink. With a bit of a national tendency to grumble thrown in. I could definitely produce seven short articles on English food and drink, and it wouldn’t just be about fish and chips either. Cornish pasties, Chelsea buns, Melton Mowbray pork pies, Yorkshire puddings, Stilton cheese, Pimm’s – I could go on.
Apparently, the French have enormous respect for food and revere each meal so much that, not only do they not snack, they don’t even have a word for it. Well, they say they don’t. If absolutely necessary, they borrow the word from the undisciplined English. But then it turns out that they do have the word “goûter”, which is a sweet snack given to children at about 4 o’clock when they come home from school. Dig a little further and it transpires that adults have also been known to enjoy a sweet treat in the afternoon. And what about canapés? Surely they’re just posh snacks? I think they do snack, but either give it a fancy name or maybe just steal it off their children’s plates.
In fact, although British people eat the most pre-prepared meals in Europe, France runs a close second. I’m not saying that the French don’t have an impressive food culture, just that generalisations are often meaningless and that national pride can go a long way. And that a pesto palmier is a lovely thing.
You’re right about patriotism being tainted by the right wing. The problem is that I now associate it with nationalism, hatred of others and minorities, do as I say because you can’t argue with it, a superiority and lack of understanding.
You’re also right. There is much to love about our country. We’re very lucky to live here.
You must let us know when you’re next baking that cake, we’ll pop round!!
I don’t think we should allow aggressive minorities to control our history and culture. They belong to all of us.
As for the cake, that was a practice run for a wedding cake and I’m unlikely to make it again any time soon!