Word: frenched
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Four years ago, the Parisian suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois was in flames. The town was one of nearly 300 nationwide where housing projects exploded in rioting in October 2005 over dizzying unemployment rates, racial discrimination and a perceived exclusion from wider French society. When the deaths of two minority youths fleeing police in nearby Clichy-sous-Bois sparked violence there, residents of housing projects in Aulnay and beyond followed suit, venting pent-up rage by torching cars, vandalizing property and battling riot police for 20 straight nights. Ever since, most of France has viewed towns like Aulnay as being...
...Initially, this involved showcasing traditional African music. But very quickly, Beldjoudi and his partners latched onto another idea: holding an annual blues festival to demonstrate how the uniquely American art form shares the same African roots as the types of music popular with Aulnay immigrants and their French-born children. After its maiden edition in 2007, the Aulnay All Blues festival became a major event, attracting some of the biggest American names in blues. Last year's event proved to be so popular, Aulnay decided to team up with blues producer Larry Skoller's France-based label Raisin' Music...
When France outlawed smoking in public places three years ago, residents took the news remarkably - almost shockingly - well. Almost overnight, cigarettes vanished from offices, restaurants, cafés and train stations as the French dutifully took their glowing butts outside - the only place where smoking was still permitted. But this being France, a backlash was almost certainly inevitable. According to a report released on Dec. 17 by an anti-smoking group, the initial obeisance of French smokers has now given way to people increasingly flaunting the law by lighting up indoors...
...Anecdotal evidence also abounds that French smokers are pushing back in ways that they previously didn't dare. On some French train lines - all of which are officially non-smoking - smokers frequently take over certain cars, thus far escaping punishment. Butts are also turning up in greater numbers in Paris' Metro. "I'm not bothering anyone, and if I am, they can go to another part of the platform," says a man who identified himself only as Adel as he smoked in the Etienne Marcel station recently. "If I see a Metro official, cop or someone who looks like they...
...should all be grateful that there's a movie about a senior citizen, who isn't French or Julie Christie, having a sex life, right? By we, I mean feminists and/or anyone who can check off the yes box for at least two items on the following list: is a victim of divorce or infidelity; a believer in retribution; menopausal; bigger than a size 6; perimenopausal; loves Baldwin's 30 Rock character, Jack Donaghy, more than any TV boss since Lou Grant; has heard of menopause; loves Meryl Streep; or is just generally outraged by how little respect and attention...