French Crossroads: American-ish in Paris
Of hamburgers and football, and not the one played with a round ball.
The lunch in Paris’ Le Marais neighborhood started innocently enough. We looked at the chalkboard menu and all decided to get the faux filet with pepper sauce. Alas, when we cheerfully placed our order, the waitress informed us that was yesterday’s plat du jour (Je m’excuse!), and that today’s special was some roasted chicken thingy.
So, I hastily glanced back at the menu and decided to just give in to my American instincts and order the Magic Burger (English translation: Magic Burger). Which, as it turned out, was indeed magic (see photo above).
I’m trying my best to develop my Frenchness, but sometimes, the American comes bursting through. Like, getting excited that Krispy Kreme will open its first store in Paris later this summer, as part of a nationwide expansion. Or that this week, my football team, the Kansas City Chiefs, is playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday.
Or, in my case, Monday morning. I have been debating about whether to watch the game at one of the bars showing despite the start time of 12:30 a.m.
For instance, the Paris Hard Rock cafe (is there a more perfect distillation of Americana than the Hard Rock?) is hosting a Super Bowl watch party that promises: “100% American atmosphere, real cheerleaders show (!!!!), presence of the new European local team ‘Paris Saints’, several screens, buckets of beers, sodas, tombola & goodies to win!”
Almost 100% there on the American English, except for “tombola.” I’m pretty sure no American would know the French word for “raffle.” (I have a funny story about a French tombola, but that’s another newsletter.) Also, I’m very curious from a purely cultural observer standpoint to see what the French version of “real cheerleaders” will look like.
The event will include an obligatory “Tailgate Menu” which includes “nachos, wings, sliders, baby back ribs, chicken tenders, onion rings, cheese fries.” I was wondering how I would explain the concept of “tailgating” to French friends. But as it turns out, they already do this, except during protests rather than sporting events.
But, wait…Paris Saints? Apparently, there is a whole American Football movement happening in Paris, and even a Fédération française de football américain) that I had somehow missed. And stop the presses: As part of an expansion of the European Football League, Paris will have an American football team starting next season.
Naturally, if you’re going to have a team, it’s got to have a name. The Paris team suggested in a video tease that it considered “Frogs, Towers, Musketeers, Gladiators, Knights, and of course the Baguettes.”
In the end, the team chose “Saints” and selected the Fleur-de-lis as its logo. This is perfect on many levels. The Fleur-de-lis is an ancient symbol of royalty in France. But it’s also the logo for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, who are in Louisiana, which use to be a French territory. History and sports and cross-cultural influence have all come full circle in a completely weird and wacky way.
Still, my Americanism only goes so far. I think I’ll just watch the game at home and enjoy the dulcet tones of French announcers shouting “oh la la!” at each exciting turn. Somehow, the idea of spending a sleepless night with a drunken mob at the Hard Rock cafe feels like one baby back rib too far.
Chris O’Brien
Le Pecq
For those interested in learning more about the origins of tombola and bingo...
https://www.theflorentine.net/2017/11/30/tombola-italy-christmas-traditions/