(An) American(S) in Paris

We have always known that the french has very ambivalent attitude towards America (meaning the US) and Americans. If they copy American “culture” or simply all things American (tv programmes, how they dress especially the young) they would be the last to admit that they admire America and things American. They might tell you that Americans are superficial, that in their practicality and cheerfulness they are naïve (in France, in contrast, nothing is simple and everything is complicated), that their optimism is ignorance. But secretly, they would wish to spend less time running around to get anything done here, and yes they could probably use a dash of optimism to put a smile on their face.

But all that was forgotten the night Barack Obama got elected. I was extremely surprised to see that all the tv stations in France were giving direct results as they came in with comments and discussion and explanations (the election system being different between France and the US). And what’s more surprising, many of the French actually stayed up to watch (many were bleary eyed the next day!), or are in bars and in gatherings with friends to follow the election. I did get invitations to attend certain bars frequented by Americans, but these come from Americans with whom I am in contact in Paris….to see French people do the same thing was incredible! This is especially true of black French who seems to have adopted Obama as a symbol of all people of color and not only of Black Americans. In African bars or bars frequented by Black French, the party was on as soon as it looked like Obama was going to be elected.

I myself was intermittently on the phone with friends until the wee hour of the morning (because of the time difference, we could only be sure Obama would win nearing dawn Paris time). But many of these friends were French people with no American connection whatsoever! They were just as excited and moved to learn that Obama finally made it a reality for a Black American to be president. They also admitted that despite their méfiance of the US, they must admit that this kind of historical event could only happen in the US and are hard-pressed to imagine the same thing in today’s France. Never had I felt such connection to everyone in Paris….at least for that night, many Parisians were American!
And my American friends living in France all sighed in relief ….all thinking the same thought: hopefully the French would like us (again) now. …