Tag: french

Written in French

La politesse française

« Le manque de politesse est l’imitation de la force par l’homme faible » Eric Hoffer

Le français a longtemps été la langue des diplomates, et les français ont longtemps été réputés pour leur galanterie et leur politesse. Hélas, selon un sondage récent, ce sont des temps bien révolus.

Selon ce sondage, Charles de Gaulle, le deuxième aéroport le plus fréquenté d’Europe, est le plus discourtois de la région, alors que l’Aéroport de Copenhague est présenté comme le plus amical.

Une enquête publiée par le site de voyage Skyscanner montre que Charles de Gaulle, qui accueille plus de 60 millions de passagers par an, est l’aéroport le plus malpoli d’Europe avec un score de 4.86 sur 10. CDG se place même devant Moscou qui a toujours eu une très mauvaise réputation

Skyscanner a interrogé plus de 500 passagers qui ont voyagé pendant les 12 derniers mois, et leur a demandé d’évaluer les aéroports européens en fonction de la gentillesse de leur personnel.
La France caracole en tête (ce n’est pas un compliment) avec le score le plus bas de la région.

Voici le classement de Skyscanner :

Cinq (5) aéroports les plus discourtois d’Europe
1. Paris CDG 4.86
2. Moscow 5.03
3. Istanbul 5.91
4. London-Heathrow 5.94
5. Madrid 6.01

 Cinq (5) aéroports les plus amicaux d’Europe
1. Copenhagen 7.08
2. Amsterdam 6.92
3. Stockholm 6.68
4. Barcelona 6.46
5. Frankfurt 6.21

Il faut dire que Charles de Gaulle (inauguré en 1974) montre les ravages du temps et a grand besoin d’un « facelift », autant physique que spiritual.
Comparé a d‘autres aéroports internationaux, Charles de Gaulle fait maintenant bien piètre figure. Ce qui fut un projet d’avant-garde il y a environ 40 ans est maintenant en piteux état. Il est démodé, encombré et très mal balisé.
Et c’est toujours une déception d’arriver en France et d’être traité comme du bétail par un personnel continuellement grincheux.

Et pourtant, « La politesse coute peu et achète tout. »  Montaigne

La prochaine fois que j’irais en Europe, rappelez moi d’éviter Paris et d’atterrir a Copenhague.

Alain

Lamorinda, August 19, 2012

Yesterday I was at Lamorinda to compete in the first Annual Lamorinda Cup Tournament.
The format was Select Mixed Doubles and I had invited chicken farmer Sabine Mattei to be my wingchick.
This tournament attracted some heavyweights (Peter Mathis, Mickey Coughlin, Gilles Karpowicz, Alain Gusella, PJ Mallette, Dan Feaster, etc.) and the event promised to be lively.
Coffee and croissants were served before the tournament. Coffee was particularly welcome since it proved to be rather chilly in the morning. It became hot in the afternoon (hot enough to wear my shorts), and cool again after 5:00 p.m.

Etienne Rijkheer (who elected not to play) and “Carreau-Lina” Jones were the circus masters.
Since I was playing, it proved a little difficult to collect all the facts and tidbits, but here is what I remember.

Thirty three (33) select mixed doublettes enrolled to play. Three eleven points untimed games were to be played before lunch, and 13 points eliminatory games for the Concours and Consolante A and B in the afternoon.

After a rather inauspicious beginning (we almost lost our first game), Sabine and I won our first 3 games in the morning and were marshaled into the Concours.

After lunch, in our first game of the Concours, we faced le Facteur (Jean-Michel Poulnot) and la Factrice (Tamara Efron). It does my heart good to report that we brought them down to their knees. I might finally be able to sleep at night after defeating my longtime nemesis. It feels gooood to say so.

On our second game, we faced Trish and John Harris. Never heard of them, but we were told that they were good players. They were indeed.
After an auspicious start, we finally lost (10/13) to them after an epic struggle. The game hung in the balance until the last minute and we were defeated I am sorry to say, due to two capital errors of judgment of my part.
We lost and I am the only person to blame for it, but I don’t feel too bad barely losing to a team that made it to the finals.
Sabine did an excellent pointing job and should be recognized for doing so. Here is to you wingchick!

I would like to add that the Lamorinda field is very challenging (especially for those who are not used to it), and that’s where you separate the men from the boys. Winning in Lamorinda is indeed an honor.

Apéritifs and munchies were served after the tournament.

Final results (compliments of Etienne Rijkheer):

CONCOURS  (16 Teams)
1st place: Peter Mathis and Holly Sammons, VOMPC
2nd place: John Harris and Trish Harris, Oakhurst Pétanque Club
3rd place: Mickey Coughlin and Nicole Coughlin, Redwood Empire Boules Club
4th place: Carl and Linda Mottscheidler, Fresno Pétanque Club

CONSOLANTE A  (9 Teams)
1st place: Alain Gusella and Phim Nielsen, La Boule d’Or
2nd place: Beth Lysten and Daniel Genini, Lamorinda Pétanque Club
3rd place: Peter Wellington and Teri Sirico, VOMPC and Petaluma Valley Pétanque Club

CONSOLANTE B  (8 Teams)
1st place: By Vang and May Lee, Fresno Pétanque Club
2nd place: Carlos Couto and Carolina Jones, Lamorinda Pétanque Club

Thank you Lamorinda for a fun day and a job well done!

Alain