Rules Meant to be Broken

I wish I had been keeping a long list of cultural differences observed this past month, all of them more evident than usual after being away for more than a year. Never really taking sides with one better than the other, just finding them fascinating and amusing, especially today's: our response to rules.

Though we were unprepared, we let the kid play in the open fountains with all the other kids at the local outdoor shopping center. He took off his shirt and shoes and ran through in his shorts. One glaring difference became immediately obvious: he was the only one without shoes. And so we quickly noticed the sign that said "For your comfort and safety, please wear footwear." Accompanying the kind version was the threatening version too, for people like us: "BARE FEET STRICTLY PROHIBITED." And speaking of glaring, I began to feel the looks from the other class-act mommies focused on raising upstanding citizens, each of whom had bought their children the perfect pair of crocs to match their bathing suits for just such an occasion.

Now, I'm one who is typically wired to follow the rules pretty closely. But something in me was quite surprised that we were the only ones breaking this silly rule. Then I realized what was causing the rub. In Paris there is a large park with similar fountains that shoot out of the ground. It's a popular place for families on warm summer days, and children strip down to their skivvies and run around as much as they like. Seems like good, innocent fun until the American who is trained to follow rules prudently translates the large signs posted on every corner:

"ACCESS TO THE FOUNTAINS IS FORBIDDEN."

And so, like more of a Frenchmen than an American, I blatantly ignored the sign and let the kid continue playing til it was time to go, doing my best to ignore both the rising inner conflict and the scowling mothers. But before you become too disappointed in me, rest assured I sided with the Americans when he tried to take off all of his clothing before playing...there are some rules I can still respect.

Family Music

Music is often a part of our family gatherings. A lot of times we keep it civilized and find ways to play together, sing together, dance together, but there are of course plenty of heated debates as well.

For example:
Mark and I could argue endlessly over Sufjan Stevens, usually a conversation that just ends abruptly with something like, "You just don't understand art."

My brother and his daughter have been known to debate who has more artistic merit, U2 or Justin Bieber, usually a conversation that just ends abruptly with something like, "They're all old, and not one of my friends likes them."

But I just received the following video from my brother, always looking for ways to bring the family together, with this note:
Can't we all just get along?
Merging Mark's love of pop music, Nate's love of ridiculous instruments, Heather's love of quirkiness and Taylor's love of top 40. You guys may have finally found common ground.

I will readily admit I have no idea who Carly Rae Jepsen is and this is my first time hearing this song "Call Me Maybe." I don't care, I'm on board. It might have something to do with the fact that I already own the majority of these instruments and I know the sheer delight of using them to play songs like this with a group of friends.

Well executed, Jimmy. Thanks, Roots. And Carly Rae, I'm fairly certain this is the height of your career, so enjoy it.


As for my brother using the word "ridiculous" to describe these instruments? Well, I prefer the word "charming," but I'm pretty sure that's what he meant, you know, like ridiculous in the endearing usage of the word.