You have all heard of pétanque… at least I hope so, but some of you might have an erroneous idea of the game.
The most common misconception (especially in America) is that pétanque is a game geared almost exclusively toward have-been fuddy-duddies.
I beg to differ.
Pétanque (a unisex game for all ages) is not the exclusive domain of retired postal workers.
All can play but interestingly enough it is not a discipline favoring speed and strength. This is a game where grownups can teach presumptuous whippersnappers a thing or two.
Sorry kids, but skills and experience definitely trump muscle and braggadocio.
Pétanque is also loaded with health benefits. Surprised? You should not be.
First of all, the game (to the great relief of your mate) gets you off the couch and out of the house.
It keeps you fit by forcing you to walk (on the average between 2 and 3 miles per day) and to bend repeatedly to pick up your “boules”.
You might also shed some unwanted pounds.
As far as exercise is concerned, it beats sex (maybe not) but definitely Tai Chi, by a mile.
Pétanque reduces stress and allows for better sleep. After a 4-5 hours tournament, I guarantee that you won’t have any problem falling asleep. The minute you hit the pillow you will be in La La land.
Instead of going almost exclusively to their funeral, pétanque allows you to keep in touch with old friends and also meet new people.
New people if you didn’t know, are the indispensable ingredients to spice up your routine.
And last but not least, it teaches you some indispensable French vocabulary (like merde, “putaing”, bordel, cocu). Those colorful words could be useful if you travel to a French speaking country, but please, due to their volatility, use them with extreme caution!
I
f you don’t already belong to a club, I urge you (as a very doable New Year resolution) to walk to a field and join the legions of pétanque devotees.
You won’t be sorry. I guarantee it.
Alain
PS: if you welsh on your resolution, you won’t get your money back.
Okay, Alain, by my comment you’ll know that I actually read to the end of your article. I was going to take issue with your use of the word “welsh” and not because the term is derogatory to the Welsh people and not because my first name is of Welsh origin. But because I thought it was spelled “welch.” Lo and behold, research shows that the OED considers either to be an acceptable spelling. Just shows you can learn something new from reading your column.
Hello Bleys! You are not wrong either and I would never think of offending a Welsh guy, especially you. Avec toute mon amitie!