“One in three bottles of appellation controlée wines produced in France is sub-standard, according to the French consumer watch-dog. A survey of wine professionals by the organisation, UFC-Que Choisir, concluded that the supposed local authenticity offered by the label “AOC” – appellation d’origine controlée – has become meaningless…” Read the complete article

Funny TV ad spot. I don’t want to mention the product because it might give away the ending. (Click on the picture above to see the video)

Him: You know what they need in France?

Me: What?

Him: Those awesome signs in the U.S. on trucks that say, ‘How am I driving?’ with a number to call and report dangerous truck drivers.

Me: That could be interesting if they had that in France.

Him: I’d be the FIRST to call.

Via Reuters

“This is an aerial view of Tianducheng, a residential area on the outskirts of Hangzhou in east China’s Zhejiang Province September 1, 2007. After five years of development by Zhejiang Guangsha Co. Ltd., around 2,000 residents now live in Tianducheng, local media reported.” (more photos at Reuters)

While Americans are lounging around this non-working Labor Day in the U.S., today the French are doing the opposite on what is called, La Rentrée, the big day where everyone “returns” to work or to school. It marks the end of all vacations. How sad.

In dedication to La Rentrée, I wanted to post about this plumier en bois (wooden pencil box) that my sweetie found for sale for 1 euro at a nearby Boulangerie (of all places). It’s an old-fashioned style box that apparently resembles the plumiers most students had many years ago – though I believe they were still popular until the end of the 70s (I’m not sure, though). I imagine a kid today wouldn’t want to have anything to do with it, and would instead, opt for a brighter, smelly plasticky one.

Anyway, I hoped that this photo would bring back fond memories for readers who had a plumier en bois filled with just sharpened pencils.

If this plumier en bois brings you horrible memories because you hated school, sorry about the reminder.

Could this be possible?? France, formerly the number 1 world travel destination, has not just slipped on to number 2 but fell even further to number 3 behind the U.S. and Spain – for income in tourism. France is panicking and the French Secretary of State for Tourism Luc Chatel seems to believe the reason for this drop is bad customer service and lack of perceived friendliness.

Could the real reasons be related to the abysmal exchange rate and the price gouging by merchants (and possibly the crappy weather)?

[via funny article at The Guardian]

Toxic Corp is recruiting replacement smokers. Apply now!

This spot has been running on TV recently and is well worth a mention for its tongue-in-cheekiness juxtaposed with a soberingly unhumorous message. Produced by the INPES (Institut national de prévention et d’éducation pour la santé / Nat’l Health Inst. of Education and Prevention) and the Alliance contre le tabac (Alliance against tobacco), the two organizations have been working to inculcate the dangerous consequences of smoking in young people – who are the prime targets for tobacco companies. (Yes! Tobacco companies really ARE looking for Replacement Smokers!)

The Ugly Statistics in France

* Tobacco is the prime cause of avoidable death in France, and the prime cause of cancer. (66,000 deaths per year)
* 42% of 15 to 24 year olds are smokers versus 29% of 25 to 75 year olds.
* There’s a strong increase in the number of smokers with age: from 34% of smokers between 15 and 19 years old, to 51% between 20 and 24 years old.
* On the other hand, only 54% of smokers from ages 15 to 24 want to quit versus 62% of smokers ages 25 to 75.

Here’s what they’re saying on this PSA and a translation. (Click on the photo above to see the video.)

Vous êtes jeune, en bonne sante.
Rejoignez Toxic Corp et devenez “Replacement smokers” !
Votre naiveté et votre inexpérience sont pour nous un vrai plus .
Chaque année , 270,000 jeunes courageux et motivés
sont prêts à absorber plus de 50 substances cancérigènes
pour nous aider à soutenir nos bénéfices .
Comme eux , saisissez cette chance
et remplacez dès aujourd’hui
l’un de nos fidèles fumeurs décédés !
Votre avenir est en marche , n’hésitez plus .

Le tabac tue un fumeur sur deux.
L’industrie du tabac doit les remplacer.

Translation
You’re young and in good health.
Join Toxic Corp and become a Replacement Smoker!
Your naivete and inexperience is a real plus for us.
Every year, 270,000 courageous and motivated youths
are prepared to breathe in more than 50 carcinogenic substances
to help us support the bottom line.
Like them, seize this opportunity
and from today on, replace one of our dead loyal smokers!
Your future is ahead of you. Join now.

Tagline:
Tabacco kills one out of 2 smokers.
The tobacco industry must replace them.

Source Links: Toxic Corp, INPES

A quick reminder that the Braderie de Lille in northern France is today and tomorrow. This yearly event is not to be missed if at all possible, but you’ll need to hold your nose because of the humungous piles of mussel shells. Click here to read more about it: Braderie de Lille (from a previous post).

I think this beauty salon’s name sounds fancier in French…