The End Of French Civilization

[Mark Thorson]

Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-more-michelin-stars-and-better-food.html

[sf]

On Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:38 -0800, Mark Thorson <nos...@sonic.net>
wrote:

> Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>
> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-more-michelin-stars-and-better-food.html

That's too much attention to detail for me. A composed salad
containing 37 different vegetables is 30 more than I'd ever want or
need.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

[Julie Bove]

sf wrote:
> On Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:38 -0800, Mark Thorson <nos...@sonic.net>
> wrote:
>
>> Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>>
>> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-more-michelin-stars-and-better-food.html
>
> That's too much attention to detail for me. A composed salad
> containing 37 different vegetables is 30 more than I'd ever want or
> need.

I don't even think I could *name* 37 different vegetables! And I am known
for my salads, among other things.

[sf]

I'm with you there, Julie!

[Alan Holbrook]

John J <Jo...@invalid.net> wrote in
news:s4qap815lon6pgtsk...@4ax.com:

> On Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:38 -0800, Mark Thorson
<nos...@sonic.net>
> wrote:
>

> At least they had one :)
>

Some parts of France, like the Savoy and Provence, are civilized.
In most of the rest of the country, it doesn't matter how good
their food is and how many art museums they have, the people are
barbarians. And my French friends in Annecy tell me that even
most Frenchmen don't like Parisians.
---
Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into
my own pants.

[notbob]

On 2013-05-17, Alan Holbrook <no.t...@lets.not> wrote:

> Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into
> my own pants.

ROFL!.....

...a keeper. ;)

nb

[gtr]

On 2013-05-17 08:56:40 +0000, Alan Holbrook said:

> John J <Jo...@invalid.net> wrote in
> news:s4qap815lon6pgtsk...@4ax.com:
>
>> On Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:38 -0800, Mark Thorson
> <nos...@sonic.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>>>
>>> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-
> more-mic
>>> helin-stars-and-better-food.html
>>
>> At least they had one :)
>>
>
> Some parts of France, like the Savoy and Provence, are civilized.
> In most of the rest of the country, it doesn't matter how good
> their food is and how many art museums they have, the people are
> barbarians. And my French friends in Annecy tell me that even
> most Frenchmen don't like Parisians.

I love myths and Parisians.

[James Silverton]

Talking of Savoie, I had a discussion with a native who called the
Parisian pronunciation of Chamonix, ending in "icks", snobbish. The
English pronunciation is closer to the native one. The place was once
written "Chamouny" or "Chamuni"

--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not." in Reply To.

[notbob]

On 2013-05-17, James Silverton <not.jim....@verizon.net> wrote:

> English pronunciation is closer to the native one.

I have to laugh when the fanatical jingoist start hammering on the
French with horse crap like "freedom fries" and blustering about how
we bailed out France in the two World Wars. Like the French didn't
save our ass during the American Revolution and pretty much forged the
principles of freedom we now hold so dear. So much of our language is
based on French, it's downright embarrasing. Yeah, they're a buncha
lazy arrogant pricks, but they've got sand and they've shown us what
to do with it.

nb

[B. Server]

On Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:17 -0500, Sqwertz <swe...@cluemail.compost>
wrote:

>On Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:38 -0800, Mark Thorson wrote:
>
>> Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>>
>> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-more-michelin-stars-and-better-food.html
>

>Tokyo has 6 times the population of Paris and probably 12x more
>foreign visitors per year. Tokyo also probably has 20x the disposable
>income that France has, so there's more motivation to serve Tokyo
>
>So it's only logical.
>
>-Spock

Spock should check his figures. Various quick searches showed Paris
with around 28 Million in a good year and Tokyo bragging about a peak
of 5.8 million. Its a little harder to come up with an estimate of
disposable income, The world bank lists the per capita income of
France and Japan at number 23 and 24 respectively. That is, the
number for France is higher. Population , by the by is 2.23 million
within the city borders for Paris and around 12 million in the
contiguous suburbs. (2009 figures) Tokyo is some 13 million for the
38 parts of the prefecture and upwards of 35 million for the urban
area. That might include Yokahama, so it is pretty inflated.

Google is Spock's friend.

-bs

[Alan Holbrook]

notbob <not...@nothome.com> wrote in
news:slrnkpcrmv...@nbleet.hcc.net:

Well, at least the jingoists aren't all Americans. There are
elements of the English who don't have a lot of respect for the
French, either. The following is from an article written by John
Cleese recently on the state of things in Europe:

"The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its
terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher
levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was
precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag
factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military
capability."

[notbob]

On 2013-05-18, Alan Holbrook <no.t...@lets.not> wrote:

> "The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its
> terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher
> levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was
> precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag
> factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military
> capability."

More of the same. For a country so cowardly, France sure seems to
have kept England occupied for several centuries and on two
continents. Besides, since when has England been anyone's friend? I
noticed they've been on the receiving side of our "aid" right along
with France. The whole thing is like a buncha kindergarteners arguing
over who's the king of nap time. ;)

nb

[Gary]

Alan Holbrook wrote:
>
> Well, at least the jingoists aren't all Americans. There are
> elements of the English who don't have a lot of respect for the
> French, either. The following is from an article written by John
> Cleese recently on the state of things in Europe:
>
> "The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its
> terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher
> levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was
> precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag
> factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military
> capability."

http://i42.tinypic.com/14bdyr.jpg heheh LOL!

G.

[injipoint]

On 17/05/2013 1:31 AM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>
> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-more-michelin-stars-and-better-food.html
>

Tokyo has something like 160,000 eateries (some, of course,
are simply a hole-in-the-wall) but it's 10 times the
number of Paris. It is hardly surprising that Michelin
stars abound given the number disparity.

BTW, spent two weeks in Paris in January expecting
the stereotypical rudeness etc but got NONE of it.
Friendly, helpful and professional everywhere EXCEPT
for one encounter with a Trade Unionist handing out
some sort of notice about some sort of meeting about
the US firm that was shutting their blast furnace
because the unionists in it wouldn't work beyond a
few hours a day.

[pltrgyst]

On 5/17/13 11:35 PM, Sqwertz wrote:

>....Hardly anybody goes to Paris on business....

I don't suppose you considered that statement after you wrote it, did you?

I *know* you're smarter than that.

-- Larry (one of the multitudes that goes to Paris on business all the
time...)

[gtr]

On 2013-05-18 16:56:59 +0000, injipoint said:

> On 17/05/2013 1:31 AM, Mark Thorson wrote:
>> Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>>
>> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-more-michelin-stars-and-better-food.html
>>
>>
>
> Tokyo has something like 160,000 eateries (some, of course,
> are simply a hole-in-the-wall) but it's 10 times the
> number of Paris. It is hardly surprising that Michelin
> stars abound given the number disparity.
>
> BTW, spent two weeks in Paris in January expecting
> the stereotypical rudeness etc but got NONE of it.

Right: Cliche's are so cliche!

> Friendly, helpful and professional everywhere EXCEPT
> for one encounter with a Trade Unionist handing out
> some sort of notice about some sort of meeting about
> the US firm that was shutting their blast furnace
> because the unionists in it wouldn't work beyond a
> few hours a day.

Excellent demosntration with your remark that union-members are lazy!
It solidly underscores the utility of battling simplistic and errant
cliches with more simplistic and errant cliches!

[Michael Kuettner]

Yes, John Cleese.
Never heard of him, I guess.
<sigh>

[George M. Middius]

pltrgyst wrote:

> -- Larry (one of the multitudes that goes to Paris on business all the
> time...)

What kind of expense acct you got?

[B. Server]

On Fri, 17 May 2013 22:35:10 -0500, Sqwertz <swe...@cluemail.compost>
wrote:

>On Fri, 17 May 2013 18:57:40 -0500, B. Server wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:17 -0500, Sqwertz <swe...@cluemail.compost>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Tokyo has 6 times the population of Paris and probably 12x more
>>>foreign visitors per year. Tokyo also probably has 20x the disposable
>>>income that France has, so there's more motivation to serve Tokyo
>>>
>>>So it's only logical.
>>

>> Spock should check his figures. Various quick searches showed Paris
>> with around 28 Million in a good year and Tokyo bragging about a peak
>> of 5.8 million.
>

>What, tourists? I was including business people as well. Shitloads
>of people go to Tokyo on business. Hardly anybody goes to Paris on
>business. Even still, the 20x figure was still a WAG (but still
>logical!)

Yup. And each one of them is on a short term, non-resident,
visa/entry permit with a form that indicates where he will be
staying;. i.e. a statistical tourist from the point of view of the
bean counters in Nagatacho. It is a considerable pain in the ass to
get a resident work permit and more of a pain to keep it up to date.
The number for Tokyo may even be inflated because when I put down
Yokosuka, there was always a routine about the navy of which I was not
a part.

>
>> Its a little harder to come up with an estimate of
>> disposable income,
>

>Well then, we'll just go with that!
>
>I didn't mention the cultural differences. Japanese customs demand
>that restaurants (or any service industry) do a very competent job.
>France? Bunch of slackers comparatively speaking ;-)
>
YMMV, I've lived in both cities and enjoyed plenty of really
excellent eating in both. Likewise, both have to have places where
their workers not on an expense account can eat. Of these, the French
were much less crowded, cheaper, and save for the ubiquitous
cigarettes, more enjoyable in my experience. It is hard to get used
to eating lunch with a line of three people standing behind your seat
waiting their turn. If you didn't order the taisho, they breathed
harder down your neck. Also, I don't ever recall being told that I
could not patronize a business because I was not French but it was a
common experience in Japan, though a bit less so in Tokyo.

...and Austin residents should show more respect to slackers.. .:)

>-sw

[B. Server]

On Fri, 17 May 2013 03:56:40 -0500, Alan Holbrook <no.t...@lets.not>
wrote:

>John J <Jo...@invalid.net> wrote in
>news:s4qap815lon6pgtsk...@4ax.com:
>
>> On Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:38 -0800, Mark Thorson
><nos...@sonic.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Without the food, there's nothing left worth saving.
>>>
>>>http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/tokyo-tops-paris-with-
>more-mic
>>>helin-stars-and-better-food.html
>>
>> At least they had one :)
>>
>
>Some parts of France, like the Savoy and Provence, are civilized.
>In most of the rest of the country, it doesn't matter how good
>their food is and how many art museums they have, the people are
>barbarians. And my French friends in Annecy tell me that even
>most Frenchmen don't like Parisians.

There sure seem to be a lot of folks who don't like New Yorkers,
either. But like Parisians, I've never met one who gave a shit what
anyone in "the sticks" thought of them or it. Your friends in Annecy
should just be greatful to live in such a nice place. Are they,
perchance, barbarians?

[B. Server]

On Sat, 18 May 2013 06:08:04 -0500, Alan Holbrook <no.t...@lets.not>
wrote:

>notbob <not...@nothome.com> wrote in
>news:slrnkpcrmv...@nbleet.hcc.net:
>

[...]

>
>Well, at least the jingoists aren't all Americans. There are
>elements of the English who don't have a lot of respect for the
>French, either. The following is from an article written by John
>Cleese recently on the state of things in Europe:
>
>"The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its
>terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher
>levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was
>precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag
>factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military
>capability."

Well I suspect that almost all of John Cleese' English audience is
aware that he is an humorist rather than an statesman. Americans seem
to have difficulty remembering that; perhaps because it is so
difficult to distinguish clowns from statesmen among our
representatives.

[Je�us]

On Sat, 18 May 2013 21:53:09 +0200, Michael Kuettner
<Michael....@gmx.at> wrote:

>Alan Holbrook wrote:
>> Well, at least the jingoists aren't all Americans. There are
>> elements of the English who don't have a lot of respect for the
>> French, either. The following is from an article written by John
>> Cleese recently on the state of things in Europe:
>>
>Yes, John Cleese.
>Never heard of him, I guess.
><sigh>

Heh.

[injipoint]

You're obviously not familiar with the issue. The blast furnace
across the road ALSO run by unionists adopted a longer working
week to preserve the business and keep they place going. The ones
I ran into were simply going down screaming about it.

Your simplistic inference was that I said all unionists were
lazy. I said I had a run in with these unionists whose furnace
was being closed down because they only wanted to work up to lunch
time. Obviously touchy about that, eh?