Feeling French

The Everyday Minimalist makes an interesting case for French women -- that they're more put together than their American counterparts because they:
    *Don't try as hard to 'be liked, or like everybody else'
    *Don't worry about extra poundage
    *Accept themselves for what (and who) they are
    *Give their personal lives latitude -- open space to their partner as well as themselves
   *Wear the same clothing over and over, with small changes


(Here's the L.A. Times article that started EM's musings in the first place.)

I have a tough time believing that 'honesty =being rude to everyone' is a positive thing. (EM just says that quality is refreshing.) I'd love to say this, as well as the other statements, is blowhard stuff...but a good friend's experience gives me pause. She was more than endowed with her share of curves, and unfortunately understood enough French to overhear several discussions about her weight. (And they weren't nice about it, either.)

And how far do you take these precepts? Let your partner sleep around...or do it yourself, because then you are allowing freedom? Accept those little faults about yourself, like cruelty or alcoholism, that make you anything but a better person? Be obnoxious, because then you can say exactly what you want, without considering other people's feelings?

I think I'd rather stick to being an American -- although I did find myself living comfortably on 3-4 changes of clothing this past month, and doing just fine. (The secret is choosing higher quality stuff that's classic in design, then accenting with unusual jewelry or footwear.) Ironically, I am part French...French Canadian!