The Elections

Living in France during the hottest month of the hottest American presidential campaign ever (and also for the election itself) has been an eye-opening experience. I have learned that the French do not mince words, nor do they have a concept that we call “politically correct”. I have also learned that I am a total American prude, with a little touch of …. dare I write it….. American pride.

In the month leading up to the election, I had daily - if not hourly - discussions about the presidential candidates. And trust me, this is not a subject I EVER like to discuss with strangers. The conversation went something like this:

« Vous êtes americanne? Quel candidat préférez-vous? »
« Uh……. »
« Moi, j’aime bien Obama. Il a un air très intelligent. Pas comme Bush. Et, un Noir, c’est bien, non ? Est-ce que vous êtes croyante ? »

Translation:
“You are American? Which candidate are you voting for?”
“Uh…..”
“Me, I like Obama. He seems intelligent. Not like Bush. And a Black, that’s good, isn’t it? Do you believe in God?”

I nearly chocked every time. As I said, it happened multiple times a day, yet it never got easier. Sometimes, like if it was a stranger at Flunch who approached me to ask about the Wifi, I would say that Americans do not ask nor answer questions like that. Without fail, people found this impossible to believe and a totally inappropriate response. If I am for Obama, does that mean that I am a pious and respectable human? And can I really have a two-minute convo with a stranger during which I am expected to discuss three topics which make Americans shudder – politics, religion, and racism? Next they will be asking me about my sexual history…. then I’ll really keel over.

People here are very pro-Obama. Almost every single person I was forced to talk to about this. The reason I heard most often for why people don’t like McCain is because they associate that name with a frozen chicken company.

The thing is, a HUGE percentage of the French population voted for Sarkozy (or Sarko for short) in the elections here a year ago, and now most of the country despises him. And yes, they are very vocal about this fact. So, when people give me their opinions of American politics and insist that I agree with them, I asked them why they voted for someone in their own country whom they hate. This usually quiets them down.

Now that the elections are over, the political banter is easier. People ask, “Are you happy with the results?” and I get teary eyed and proudly nod. They still like to offer their opinions and make conjectures about the hard road that lies before Obama, but I am happy to smile and listen. The French like Americans ok, and this has boosted us even further in their esteem. Hell, it has boosted us in my esteem.

I get the sense that people are surprised. After making so many terrible decisions and foolish moves, the US has proven once again that it is a dynamic nation. And even here in France, people are talking about how it would be nice to have “a black” as president one day. As long as it’s not an Arab.