One difference between we French and the anglo-saxon mindset is that

I was chatting with the dad of a friend of Gwilym. He works for a multinational aeronautics firm, so he speaks pretty good English (though we stuck to French), he knows that Welsh culture is different from English culture (hurrah !) and ... wait for it ... he has visited Cwmcarn many times.
He said, "Of course, one difference between the French and the Anglo-Saxon mindset is that we are very logical while you are very pragmatic."

I think I looked puzzled and doubtful...

"You must do something", he said, "and if that does not work then you will change and do something else until you find out what does work. We must reflect before we do anything."

He's so right.

Although the verb 'to reflect' exists in English I don't think I ever used it and I certainly never did it. I MUCH prefer to do SOMETHING than nothing, even if it is the wrong thing. After all, in a crisis to do nothing is usually the wrong thing.

However here in France I find that we reflect. Sometimes we reflect deeply : "il faut réfléchir à fond" - that means SERIOUS reflection.

I have reflected deeply on this difference and I have come to the conclusion that neither tendency is right or wrong. This is just part of the rich treasurehouse of cultural differences that makes working here so interesting, so challenging, such a learning experience and such a joy.

Comments

Steve Henderson said…
Alan,

Interestingly, many years ago a fellow named Pierre Sauvage visited his childhood area in France--where the Huguenots had shielded Jewish people in WWII. (TV documentary: Weapons of the Spirit).

He had returned to seek to discover why these folks did what they did. He found that they did not weigh pros and cons; they didn't calculate outcomes. They simply knew it was the right thing to do and they did it. He remarked memorably, "Those who act don't agonize, and those who agonize don't act."

This also reminds me of the Deborah and Barak call to arms in Judges 4-5. The poet comments twice in verses 15 and 16 of chapter 5:

"Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart."

The Reubenites agonized; they had a discussion; they might have had a prayer meeting. But they did nothing.

Let's stay balanced, my brother! Hope to see you next month.
Alan said…
Thanks Steve.

Encouraging.

See you soon !

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