Vintage French dress forms at the recent brocante at Chatou.
The French word chantepleure means to sing and weep simultaneously - something most women completely understand. What the article doesn't discuss is how French women often adopt an air of bravado to mask deep insecurities, including uncertain situations in their marriages. French inheritance laws provide for the children, not the wife. In the event of divorce, it usually proves difficult for the wife to assert her rights and achieve any sort of financial parity with her husband. So it would seem that French women can never get too "relaxed" when it comes to their assets, physical or otherwise. They typically have more at stake than their British or North American counterparts.
On a completely unrelated note, watch this very clever video!
And here's a scary video about a serious subject that directly or indirectly affects us all.
What a frightening situation for women in France.
The videos are rather frightening in their own way too. I can't believe I didn't see the bear, lol - and the other one, is just plain scary.
xo
Posted by: tinker | 29 March 2008 at 09:59
I would love even one of those dress forms!
As for the other things you were sharing/talking about -- it just shows -- sometimes, we just don't know how good we have it.
Posted by: sherry | 28 March 2008 at 23:10
First, I love the picture...would take any one or all home with me :)
Second, I did not know about this information Tara. I am very surprised. Have I actually found something about France/French Law that I don't like? I wonder if this has anything to do with the stereotype about French men cheating alot....and the women not saying much or not divorcing their husbands....
Posted by: My Melange | 28 March 2008 at 12:24
Wow that first video is clever. "Did you see the moonwalking bear?" Huh? What? A Bear? WOW! There it is!! ;)
-Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Cottage Way of Life | 28 March 2008 at 08:28
An, the good old Napoleonic Code. Quebec has it too. I don't know if it's improved any, but it's not one I would want to live under. Many years ago, a friend of mine even though divorced from her husband was still liable for his debts! I hope that part has changed at least.
The photo is fabulous! xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 28 March 2008 at 07:06
I had no idea. I guess we all have our struggles in different ways.
Posted by: Carla | 28 March 2008 at 07:00
Tara this is an interesting post and one can only feel for these women. Is ' Colors' a new Orhan Pamuk book? I am a huge fan of his work.
Posted by: Enzie Shahmiri | 28 March 2008 at 06:02
how interesting, i didnt know...btw Tara, there's a little gift waiting for you at my site, hope you will like it.
Posted by: UL | 28 March 2008 at 04:20
Do the French expect children to take care of their mothers - or are the ladies just supposed to quietly disappear to some undisclosed location? Interesting. The Bush/McClain video...frightening. I really wish that Ms. Clinton would gracefully bow out. I am really concerned that it's going to end up like the Bush/Gore/Nader mess.
Posted by: Dorian Fletcher | 27 March 2008 at 23:23
ps
Nice to see Jhumpa Lahiri has a new book out!!
Posted by: rochambeau | 27 March 2008 at 22:33
Hi Tara,
The photo is beautiful. The first You-tube is important in many respects, people tend to see what they're looking for, and many times miss important information which is a brilliant and unfortunately segue into the scary second vidio.
Hope you are well!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 27 March 2008 at 22:33
This looks great in sepia, is that a real lady in the back?
The first video blew my mind because I so missed the bear.
The second one made me ill!
XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 27 March 2008 at 22:07
Oh my god. I would hate that. It would be okay if women were paid equally and fairly in this world, but should you choose to not stay with your husband...you would be potentially losing it all.
That is awful. Men should have to provide, that is that. (Children or not)
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 27 March 2008 at 21:49
Very cool. So, are these manequins in the "Carla B" style?! Stop by the Marmelade Gypsy and enter my drawing -- it's Bling Your Birdhouse day!
Posted by: Jeanie | 27 March 2008 at 21:48
THAT MANY ON ONE STALL - I want to cry
Posted by: Di Overton | 27 March 2008 at 18:40
Fascinating! The more we think we are different, the more we are the same. Tara, you are such a fount of information. I learn something new everyday from you. Thanks.
Lisa & Alfie
Posted by: Lisa & Alfie at The Pickled Hutch | 27 March 2008 at 18:33
That is a really interesting article and the video is great. I have to admit that I have had a crush on Carla Bruni since I first got her CD years ago and I am sure that she would have no end of suitors if her marriage did not work out.
Posted by: tangobaby | 27 March 2008 at 18:00
Wow, that is SO interesting! That makes sense then how people always say how "sophisticated" French people are about affairs. We hear that they don't really care, it's only sex, blah blah. The wife looks the other way, blah blah...But knowing this, it means that the wife can't just throw down, and end up with nothing, if she knows her husband is a dog! (And you can't even kill him! lol)
And it also shows why "French women don't get fat", too maybe, lol! Better to be ready to snag another man...(Not that we couldn't use a little of that attitude here, Lord knows). ;)
Sounde like crap to me, though, I gotta say.
:)
Posted by: amber | 27 March 2008 at 17:54
i love that word - it could be my motto actually. and i love dress forms. some day i'll own a vintage one.
Posted by: kristen | 27 March 2008 at 16:47
OH NOES. I hope Carla Bruni got a solid pre-nup. :)
Tara responds:
Carla comes from a wealthy Italian family and has no cause for financial worry.
Posted by: kim | 27 March 2008 at 16:25