We usually think of France as a beautiful country with delicious food and romantic people. But actually the French are at heart traditionalists. Though they dearly love revolutions, pulling everything down and starting from scratch, they disapprove of shifts in behaviour. Everything must be done comme il faut (properly), an expression that applies equally to getting married and getting drunk, stuffing a duck and filling in a form, addressing an envelope and addressing a teacher. There is an established order of things, and the order was established by the French.

The desire to maintain standards is best seen on any holiday in the summer. Where the Spanish, the Italians, the British, and even the Germans, relax sufficiently to let a little stubble grow, or mealtimes become irregular, or dress become bizarre and ill-coordinated, the French behave as though they were still under the microscope of real life. But on special holidays, such as Christmas, New Year, and Easter, French people like to celebrate with big dinners, consisting of 5-7 courses. Frenchmen like to travel and the summer vacation in July and August is a good time to travel around the country. Some go camping in the mountains; others enjoy the sunshine on the beach.

Besides unique character, French have many unique traditions.

An interesting tradition of the French is the fact that almost all employees are entitled to 5 weeks of holiday a year. August has been the traditional holiday month in France, with almost all locals clearing out of their cities to venture to other parts of the world or simply go camping in their own countryside. For those taking their holidays during the winter months, skiing in the French Alps is the way to go.

通常，在我们眼里，法国是一个以美食和浪漫著称于世的美丽国度。但事实上，法国人本质上也是传统主义者。虽然他们崇尚革命，喜欢推翻一切后从头再来。 但他们却不赞同任何不符合规矩的行为。 事事都要合乎规矩，结婚、醉酒如此，填鸭、填表如此，写信封、称呼老师也如此。事情都有既定的规矩，而这些规矩是由法国人自己定的。

夏季的假期是领略法国人遵规守矩的最佳时节。此时，西班牙人、意大利人、英国人、甚至德国人都在充分地放松，比如让胡茬儿多长一点儿，就餐时间变得不再中规中矩，穿着开始稀奇古怪或者完全不 协调，而法国人却一如既往与平时没有什么两样，仿佛他们的一举一动会被明显地注意到。但是遇到圣诞节、新年、复活节这些重大节日，法国人会大摆宴席以示庆祝，这类宴席包含5-7道菜。法国人喜欢旅行，7、8月的暑假是旅行的好时节。他们有的去山地露营，有的在沙滩上享受阳光。

除了这种特别的个性，法国人还有很多独特的传统。

其中一个有趣的传统是，几乎每个员工每年都会有5周的假期。8月是法国传统的节假期。在这期间，几乎所有的法国人都会离开他们所居住的城市去世界其他地方探险或者只是去乡村露营。对于那些冬季度假的人来说，去法国阿尔卑斯山滑雪是个不错的选择。

scratch n. 抓痕

microscope n. 显微镜

venture vi. 冒险，探险

relax vi. 放松

entitle vt. 给予 ...... 权利 （资格）

Terry 是学校的法语外教。一天 Lisa 找到 Terry 向他请教法国文化方面的问题。

L = Lisa 莉 = 莉萨 T = Terry 泰 = 泰瑞

L: Terry, I'm so sorry to disturb you for learning some French culture from you.

T: You are welcome, Lisa. I am glad you are interested in French culture.

L: Terry, it is said that the French love revolution dearly, is that true?

T: Well, we do like pulling down the old things and starting new ones, but we also agree that things should be done in a proper way.

L: So, in fact, the French are traditionalists, can I say that?

T: Yeah, probably you are right.

L: Do you like having holidays?

T: Of course, no one will refuse holidays. In France, almost all employees have a five-week holiday every year.

莉：泰瑞，我想向你请教一些法国文化知识，打扰你了。

泰：没什么，莉萨。我很高兴你对法国文化感兴趣。

莉：泰瑞，据说法国人深爱革命，这是真的吗？

泰：嗯，我们是很喜欢推翻旧的东西然后一切重新开始，但是同时我们也认为任何事情都要按规矩去做。

莉：所以我可以这么说，法国人事实上是传统主义者，对吗？

泰：嗯，可能你说得对吧。

莉：你喜欢度假吗？

泰：当然，没有人会不喜欢。在法国，几乎所有的员工每年都能享受长达5周的假期。

revolution n. 革命

refuse vt. 拒绝

proper adj. 合适的

employee n. 雇员

假如你是个法国人，刚刚度假回来。有个外国朋友在 MSN 上跟你聊天。试着完成下面的对话。

1. 外国朋友 ： Is it true that French love revolution dearly?

你：________________________________________

2. 外国朋友 ： Did the French spend holidays at home?

你：________________________________________

3. 外国朋友 ： What is the interesting tradition of the French?

你：________________________________________

1. Yes, they dearly love revolutions and pulling everything down and starting from scratch.

2. No, the French seldom stay at home during holidays. They like traveling.

3. Almost all employees are entitled to 5 weeks of holiday a year.

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