2010 September « Barbara Leung « The Life of an NYU Student

The Subtle Presentation of Oneself and the Other

September 26, 2010 by Barb

It’s funny when you consider the subtleties that make you stand out in any foreign culture. The simple moments of social awkwardness in which the common grounds of global etiquette are no longer found leave you thoroughly exposed. I’m not even talking about the language barrier; somehow our gestures and mannerisms reveal more than our ability to command a language.

For instance, the greeting in itself serves as a marker to signify as to who belongs in this city riddled with 19th century monuments and facades. We reach out to one another in North America with a “hey,” and perhaps with a hug. Such doesn’t suffice here – we come into closer contact by pecking the other’s cheek with a light kiss so as to lightly whisper “hello” with our puckered lips. And instead of our eyes cast downward when we pass a neighbor in the elevator or when strolling into a boutique, it is customary to say “hello” and “goodbye.” This acknowledgment of existence seems to, in a sense, fortify the presence of the other, as well as relinquish the significance that these opening and closing words seem to hold in the North American context – reserved solely for our familiar acquaintances.

And in returning here, there are the times in which I still find myself unsure of how to proceed and blend in with the customary. Something as simple as seating myself at the local café/brasserie puzzled me for quite some time (I quite never got the hang of it until now); should plop myself down into one of the wicker chairs or should wait for someone to show me to an empty seat. Observation lends itself to showing me the way (and the answer is, just pull up a chair) and understanding what is considered appropriate.

What seems to be obvious to the French (or any “other” for that matter) is obscure in our imagination as to how one would conduct oneself in public (and vice-versa when they find themselves somewhere foreign). The lenses with which we examine the specifics of behavior can present many similarities but can leave our differences greatly magnified.

cafe deux moulins montmartre The Subtle Presentation of Oneself and the Other

The Deux Moulins in Montmartre (photo taken two years ago), which was featured in Amélie

Can’t Always Be Working

September 25, 2010 by Barb

I came here with the idea that I would be settled in classes on a two day schedule and working in an office for the rest of the time. Things don’t always pan out like how I would have liked. The whole concept of finding a job hasn’t flown by my head, but rather, I’m sitting out of the search until after fashion week when my schedule will clear up. Giving it more thought, though, I’m realizing that perhaps I should simply wait the semester out.

Granted, I did manage to obtain my two-day schedule (excepting the addition of a Thursday morning class), but I underestimated the workload that I would be encountering. Reading plenty of texts is something that isn’t unfathomable to me, but then again, I haven’t done it all in French. As we’ve come to realize, I’m a French accident by major, as opposed to wish and desire; in which case, having to read seven novels and other texts in French poses a big challenge to me.

I can’t recall the last time when I’ve found myself rereading texts over and over again to ensure I comprehend and reading with dictionary at my side and pen in hand. Even in lectures, I seldom find myself writing down notes, but now it seems as though I’m scribbling down what is said so that I can later process everything (granted, I’ve taken French classes before, but art is so much easier, in my opinion, than literature and history).

Therefore, the extra energy that I would have found myself dedicating to office work, is being spent toward translating words and notes for my comprehension. While it is great to be working in a foreign country for experience, I have to find some semblance of balance so as not to overexert myself – even the Energizer bunny has its limits. Maybe we’ll try later when I get past these core literature/history courses and then opt for the electives next semester.

Journées du Patrimoine

September 20, 2010 by Barb

Every third weekend of September arrives the journées du patrimoine in France in which many of the important buildings (where administrative matters usually occur) are open to the public, along with free admission to museums and castles. In celebration of culture, a theme is chosen to go along with the cultural experience; this year’s was “Les Grands Hommes,” which seeks to pay tribute those (both men and women) who have contributed to the cultural history.

To visit all the participating sites is pretty much impossible, given the numerous places to visit and the long waits at some of the buildings. And with little planning, I decidedly headed into the Marais on Sunday afternoon and waltzed through the Musée Carnavalet, which vividly illustrates the history of Paris and is free regardless of the journées du patrimoine. The main attraction of my day, though, was the Palais du Luxembourg, which now stands as the home to the French senate and is seldom open to the public, with its heavily adorning of gold decals along the walls and ceilings, and large paintings hanging on the walls.