In The Mood For L'Amour and a Strong Antiperspirant

So here's an Americanized Frenchy commercial I can get into:



Maybe it's just the tune by Claire Denamur but I won't change the channel when this ad comes on. I may not switch to Degree antiperspirant but I have downloaded Claire's album. J'adore Le Prince Charmant et Ah Les Hommes (...ils sont merveilleux)... sing it, girl.

Tar-Zhay and Other Annoying Frenchified Things

I know that the reason we "French" stuff up is to add a level of perceived class or value to an otherwise everyday something-or-other but it's getting on my nerves. Years and years ago I thought it was cute to say "Tar-Zhay" instead of Target but now that McDonald's is in on the act and Glade spawned those annoying Glawd-ay commercials, I am putting my foot down. My fear is that before we know it, saying that something is "French" or "Parisian" or what-have-you, will imply that it's a piece-of-crap product trying to insinuate itself into the luxury class hierarchy. "I love your handbag!" "Oh, this piece-of-crap? It's French." No. Way. We need to back out of this "freedom fries" nightmare toute de suite and save the French descriptors for the truly French.

McDonald's Cubiclé commercials are possibly the biggest offender. Why do they feel the need to market their coffee that way? They would have gotten my attention with the simpler ad (which is actually quite good) and may have persuaded me to take a break from Starbucks to check out the competition. Now...not a chance. Not a chancé.

Decide for yourself: the good ad is on the top and the Cubiclé add is below it. To be honest, I bet either one tastes like jus de chaussettes regardless of the marketing. Ugh.