Pretty French People

Hygiene and appearance were mentioned on the first page of the first chapter in a French Civics book. It was discussed immediately after, liberty, fraternity, and equality. A friend of mine used the proverb, “If you love yourself, other people will love you” to explain the importance of appearance. She told me being well put together is evidence of self love.

Well put together French women wear heels more often than American women. There is noticeably more heels here than there is in laid back Bellingham; where some people don’t even wear shoes. As unbelievable as it sounds, I saw one woman bowling in heels. Another time I went on a 45 minute walk with two women who were both wearing heels. On a different occasion spent all day walking around Luxembourg with a woman who was wearing heels. The thing that tops it all off was the shirt I saw that said, “I’m afraid of tennis shoes”. This fanaticism for heels is really strange for me. Currently I don’t own heals, and when I did have heels I wore them for short periods on nice occasions.

French men are much more fashionable too. Trendy men are common place and it isn’t considered a sign of being gay or metro-sexual. Classy clothes and pointed toes on shoes is what a good looking French man is made of.

I don’t think I can ever make friends with heels, but I have made a small effort to be prettier in France. I wear make up more often, and I’ve started regularly painting my nails. I haven’t bought any clothes here, but I don’t dare wear a t-shirt at school or in a bar. Occasionally I feel underdressed, but not enough that I’m ready to buy clothes.