Let's parle about sex, baby

Posted by Isabel Dexter at 16:00 on 2 Jul 2010

• Print
• Share
• Comment

It's true that the French have a certain obsession with sex, but it's a particularly adult obsession," decreed the American writer Anita Loos. "France is the thriftiest of all nations; to a Frenchman sex provides the most economical way to have fun."

Wise words indeed, especially as we struggle with the aftermath of la crise (recession). And don't we all want to imagine the French merrily bed-hopping and taking numerous lovers, whilst dressed in nothing but scraps of silk and chain smoking Gauloises? There may be some truth in that, certainly without wishing to sound like I write for the Daily Mail, I have never before lived in a city where cheating is practically an epidemic.

A French male friend of mine confided to me the other day after two bottles of vin how much he loves his girlfriend. "I mean I really love her, " he slurred drunkenly, "I was out with my colleagues the other day and there were so many hot girls. So many pretty girls who were talking with me but I just did not want to cheat on Elodie," he continued looking surprised. "I just could not do it, I don't know what is wrong with me - I guess I must really love her then." He sounded sort of disappointed and almost wistful for the days when being in love with a girl meant also getting lots of hot action on the side. "But that's normal," I reassured him. "If you love her why would you want to cheat?"  Apparently it's that latin thing again, as with food so the French like to taste everything they can on the menu before deciding on a dish (and even after they've chosen). No judgement (hey I'm not Parisian you know) but lets just hope all these trysts are worth it.

The sex supplement in French Glamour starting off reassuring with plenty of healthy, open, explicit attitudes to sex from the French girls and guys they interviewed. Then came the anti-climax.  After the usual glossy magazine features on what turns you on and how to rekindle the passion in your relationship, there was a piece on "13 bonnes raisons de simuler" (13 good reasons to fake it), which was definitely not tongue-in-cheek (or tongue anywhere else for that matter). "Apres, il est de bonne humeur" (afterwards, he's in a good mood) and "Vous lui avez dit que vous aussi vous adorez Vampire Weekend," (you told him you also love Vampire Weekend - so what's one more lie?) are apparently two good reasons to just be pretending to have fun in bed, instead of actually having fun. I just couldn't imagine a UK magazine advocating pretending to enjoy sex just to make your boy in a good mood or so he'll like you more -  instead of actually enjoying it. What is this, 1954? And cheri (darling) I just adore ironing your shirts and washing the dishes, whilst dressed in only a bustier and high heels.

• Next entry
• Previous entry