I don't for one moment suggest I am an expert on Political Protocol, but -- can anybody explain to me why François Hollande constantly strides ahead of Angela Merkel, whether coming into or leaving a press conference or other meetings? Just have a look on Euronews, for instance. She virtually has to gallop to try and keep up, and he is STEPS ahead of her all the time. Apart from the fact that she is an extremely powerful leader in her own right, surely even the fact that she is a woman should grant her some courtesy?
Peter - nice one! I always felt this was a uniquely British skill - short, to the point and funny. Sort of 'Taking the Pith'? (ouch!)
There was, way back in the day, a Private Eye headline when Emperor Hirohito made a controversial UK visit: And Ah Sos to you too, matey!
did I say that? goodness...no idea what I meant...was making scallion pancakes today, must have inhaled the dipping sauce...(soya sauce and Rice wine....) intoxicated...
like ;-)
Now don't get onto his Hidden Asset features again :-)
Oh, Carol - A Bulldog and a Rottweiler - an unbeatable scary combination ...
Carol - what 'just hangs in there...'?
Thanks Fabienne, I knew it was something like that. I DO remember the great English headline of 'Up Yours Delors'.
Not being a reader of the redtops in the UK for many years, do they still have some of these great, funny headlines? Usually the best bit of the papers.
Another I recall was a picture of Princess Anne on a horse that was urinating, with the headline 'The Royal Wee' Any others people can remember?
Martine Aubry, daughter of Jacques Delors.
well...maybe thats his secret....tenacity...just hangs in there...
Carol, if I remember correctly he was almost 'last man standing' wasn't he? Strauss-Kahn was the front runner by far, then when he fell from grace, Madeleine Aubray (not sure I spelt that right) was launched as the alternative. She had the good sense/honesty to see it was a poisoned chalice and after a faltering run decided the role was not for her, and which showing the paucity of talent in the Socialist ranks fell on a man who had neither held ministerial position or any major National role.
Let's face it a rabid dog would have defeated Sarkozy at the time, but even he never fell this low in public esteem.
A president is powerful because of the office...he obviously did something right to get to be president..I am still puzzling that one!
Ah, she of the "son in the morning, and the dad at night"? Took a bit of doing, having it off with both of them. And then, the other lady of delight, conducting three affairs simultaneously - her husband (if one can call this an affair?) the extreme right wing and the extreme left wing candidates. I suppose she felt it necessary to have a completely honest and balanced view of the situation, to get her articles accurate. And I thought that ol' Billy Boy was a bit of a lad, with his escapades in Washington. He pales in comparison with local events.
I read it the other day. I heard her interviewed on R4 a few months ago and the Jagger, Clapton days left her with a quasi-Essex type English that even came fru in der Guardian!
Fabienne - I think that our facteur is super gentil - a really lovely pleasant man. Yet never in a zillion years would I think he could fulfil the rôle of President, or even local Maire. It takes a bit more than just being that, I feel?
Fabienne, I'm not surprised I had a complicated yoof! A Mother who was very short on love and affection, but very strong on 'right and wrong' and determined to produced two roses from a sea of 'mess' as you would politely put it.
In a world of out and out thuggery where I was dragged up, any, one with our 'values' was derided by both sexes. My brother at 6'6" and heavy with it soon adjusted and lived a normal life for the area. Me being the last of the brood and not as big or aggressive, meandered though my pathetic formative years with hormones flying all over the place, and trying to apply the 'rules of gentlemanly behaviour' in a rubbish tip.
Many years later, my French wife and sister would dissolve in tears of laughter when I told them it had been instilled into me that 'when a girl said 'NO' that was the end of it!'
Of all the petty miseries of my younger days, I think this is the one area I never forgave my Mother for!!
(I did my best to catch up though in Australia - where the women/ladies were wonderfully egalitarian!)
:-D hahahahahaha!!
Let us say: portly, pasty, podgy, pas de présence, personality, panache or political acumen. Extremely "gauche", both in his political leaning and in his behaviour. Whatever asset he might be hiding, it had better not be too deeply tucked away :-) I agree, that with many women, it is the power that attracts them, and how they might turn it to their own advantage. He hasn't got the AURA of power though, has he :-) And I believe that he hasn't got much money either, not even his own car so it isn't that that grabs them. He looks to me like one of the little uniformed men who come and punch tickets on trains.
certainly having seen some of the delights my daughter has dated I would agree Norman...she has been out with two delightful guys to my knowledge...both of whom she dispensed with after a short period....for being 'too nice'.....she will learn one day when bad boys keep disappointing.