5 French superpowers
God has been biased in bestowing amazing superpowers on the French! Initially, I used to marvel at how they managed to do such complicated tasks with such ease until one day I learned that they were born with it! So without further ado, let’s find out what superpowers they have! As is customary, the best is saved for the last.
1. No breakfast or just coffee
Though Parisian cafés are portrayed as serving drool-worthy hot chocolate with hot and crispy croissants, breakfasts are not a huge affair in regular French life. For many, breakfast is simply a cup of coffee. Even yet, I was shocked to learn that many French people, including teenagers and young adults, had nothing or just a cup of coffee for breakfast.
Winter morning are especially difficult and I find that waking up at 8 a.m. is not sufficient to get ready and reach work on time. When I told my coworkers about this, they thought I was an early riser. For them, getting up at 9 a.m. is sufficient to get to work by 10 a.m. The secret to this swift turnout, discovered upon further investigation, is simply coffee or nothing for breakfast!
2. Get onto an overloaded bus or train
Even though Paris boasts one of the best public transport networks in the world, trains and buses can get unimaginably crowded, especially during peak hours. But does that mean, we do not take the fully crammed bus in front of us and wait another 5 minutes for the next one? Hell NO! We squeeze in, slowly and gracefully.
Weekdays 8 a.m. is when buses and trains are the most crowded. When I was still a rookie, I used to stand back, dejected at having failed to get in. Now, when there is literally not one inch of space in sight, I simply put my foot on board and request ‘A little bit of space, please’ and it works. People are gracious enough to accommodate you on top of them :)
3. Gossip on the run
If you’ve read my stories (link at the end), you’ll know that the French love running. But did you know that running could also be a way to catch up with friends? ‘What’s the big deal?’ say the French. It’s amazing to watch folks on the run speak over the phone, chat with their running partner, discuss life and its traumas, and literally gossip. On a physiological level, I find it amazing and a true gift of god.
For someone who aspires to run but finds it to not be her cup of tea, talking while on the run is a pipe dream! Nonetheless, I think it’s a very clever combination of two activities, one that rejuvenates your body and the other that rejuvenates your mind, while also being time-efficient.
4. Weave stories
I see the French as storytellers. No doubt that some of the best pieces of literature come from France. On a more elementary level, what I mean is that the French can talk. You might be thinking, “Duh, how is that a superpower?" Can you chat for hours on end with only one person, someone who is from another generation, without food, drink, or a shared point of reference?
The table turnover rate is miserably low in France. We went to a restaurant once, and two office pals were sitting at the table next to ours, halfway into their final course, when we arrived. They ended up sitting and chatting though our entire two-hour meal, well after they had paid the bill. They must have sat and talked for about 3 hours in that restaurant alone! Whom did you last talk to for three hours straight?
5. Wish the sweetest goodbyes
Of course, the French have the advantage of the language which is renowned as one of the most romantic languages in the world. But, I’d like to believe that certain things come straight from the heart. In French, bye doesn’t exist. The closest equivalent is Au revoir, which means to meeting again. Is there anything more heartwarming than this?
Bye doesn’t mean that the next second you turn and go your own way. Bye is only the prelude of the chapter about seeing off one another. An au revoir is accompanied by various expressions of care and concern, including the famous French bise. Occasionally, au revoirs turn into conversations and more gossips that can last good 20 to 30 minutes.
As it turns out, I have come to understand that the above 5 things are not really superpowers but abilities that anyone can cultivate if they so desire. Personally, I have adopted some due to sheer lack of time, strive to attain others, and find the French truly endearing for the last.
The author writes about daily life, personal growth, and self-help. She has no certificate in either of the subjects. Follow her on her journey of self-discovery and share your thoughts in the comments below!
