Tuesday, December 21, 2004 08:03:13 PM
GREAT MOMENTS
Great Moments In French Civility
January 21, 1793 -- Marie Antoinette says to Louis XVI: “No, I insist, after you.”
July 13, 1793 -- Charlotte Corday says to Jean-Paul Marat: “Sorry for interrupting your bath, but...”
1812 -- French army asks Russian peasantry: “Would you prefer to be raped first or pillaged?”
1906 -- gesturing with clenched-fist and/or middle finger becomes established method of salutation among all those employed in the French service industry.
1934 -- researchers at the Sorbonne discover pain-free method of smiling.
1951 -- three Parisians caught giving directions to
foreigners. Judge lays down heavy fine.
1965 -- Emmanuelle Beart is born. Males throughout the world thank France.
1975 -- waiter comes to table less than ten minutes after foreign patron enters the restaurant.
1994 -- linguists working at Larousse manage to find translations for “please,” “excuse me” and “you're welcome.”
1997 -- Lyon man is charged with praising the French pronunciation of an American tourist. Man is ostracized for life.
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