#CulturalMoments
Are you tired of the French bragging about their superior cultural practices? You know, how they seem to have it all together with their charming ways and fun traditions lol? Well, this week presents a golden opportunity to highlight a key cultural difference where the French excel, and it’s something we could easily incorporate into our own lives, my fellow Americans. Let’s look at it, shall we…
What is La Rentrée?
The French have a unique way of turning the end of summer and the return to school and work into a celebration. While Americans observe Labor Day today, it might be time to rethink how we approach this transition. Labor isn’t necessarily something to celebrate, so why not learn from the French and make the end of summer something to look forward to?
Embracing Virgo Season and the Joy of New Beginnings
Virgo season marks a perfect time to set routines, create schedules, and view discipline as a positive force. This period is traditionally back-to-school time, but in some cultures, like those observing Rosh Hashanah, it represents the start of a new year—a time of renewal and fresh beginnings. Let’s adopt a more joyful outlook, inspired by the French approach. Yes, new beginnings come after endings—RIP Summer 2024—but we can transform this process into something we eagerly anticipate rather than dread.
The French Celebration of La Rentrée
The French view this time of summer ending as another phase of life, and as so it gets its own fanfare. (They are so good like that.) And this actually begins at the summers start. The end is in the beginning after all.
As summer unfolds, people start saying, “À la rentrée!” as a way of bidding farewell at work, school, and in their communities. The phrase essentially means “see you later,” with the “later” referring to early September when school resumes and work starts up again.
Though it might seem premature to exchange such farewells before summer even begins, the French value manners and practicality (in their own way lol.) Since many people’s vacations last about a month, this early goodbye ensures they don’t miss seeing each other and are planning for when they do at summer’s end.
Transforming La Rentrée into a Positive Experience
La rentrée is more than just a transition; it’s a reason to celebrate. The shift in focus from the end of summer to the excitement of a new season helps make this period something to look forward to. Ads and social media start showcasing fall fashion, and the anticipation of a new style season becomes part of the excitement. This approach helps soften the blow of summer’s end and makes the transition more enjoyable. The little fun things add up…
Is la rentrée as fun as lounging on the Côte d’Azur, sipping rosé and enjoying frites with no obligations for weeks? Of course not. But will it make the end of summer holidays less brutal? Absolutely. It’s the small things that make a difference, and this shift in perspective helps. Pourquoi pas?
Sure you are back at work, but the focus in France shifts to the reopening of favorite restaurants after the summer holidays and the joy of reuniting with people who’ve been away. It’s a reason to celebrate and find joy.
Or we can continue with America’s social hellscape…
Why America Should Rethink Labor Day (As if it’s Not Obvious)
Meanwhile, we have Labor Day. Excuse me?
In contrast, America’s Labor Day often falls short of inspiring celebration. While the historical significance of the day is known, the concept of celebrating labor itself doesn’t quite resonate as a joyous occasion. Instead, it reinforces the notion of being worker bees, what many in the labor force feel, which doesn’t inspire a sense of fulfillment. It’s also how and why this holiday started, which only highlights how long this problem has existed. Time for a change, n’est-ce pas?
With stagnating wages and ongoing dissatisfaction with work, it’s time for a re-evaluation. Celebrating labor is like emphasizing the wrong syllable. Instead, let’s focus on celebrating the end of summer, the cycles of life, and the joy of reconnecting with friends and starting a new routine that brings us satisfaction. Let’s take back the joy in our routines and work. Let’s focus on each other.
France’s Approach: A Model for Us All
The French have mastered the art of celebrating transitions, focusing on community, joy, and the positive aspects of returning to our daily work life. As September approaches, everything gets back into full swing at work, including the French tradition of a goûter—a delightful 4 p.m. coffee and sweets break during the workday. Doesn’t that sound inviting?
By adopting this more positive outlook and cultural approach, we can enhance our own transitions and work life and overall joy. Imagine if we also embraced a similar attitude towards our work and seasonal changes. It’s a cultural shift worth considering.
À La Rentrée!
To fully adopt this French-inspired approach, we’d need systemic changes of course: four weeks of standard vacation, livable wages, and reasonable prices and caps on what businesses can charge for essentials like train and airplane tickets, food, and bread. (And let’s not forget how France achieved social progress—they overthrew the ruling class that caused and ignored their suffering. Let’s skip that part by having it not need to happen, shall we?)
While significant social changes are needed, the essence of the French approach—celebrating new beginnings and focusing on joy—can start with small changes in our mindset and practices. And those can lead to actual systemic changes.
Why not adopt a French approach to this time of year? Basically, my fellow Americans, if nothing else, sitting on a terrace with friends, enjoying a glass of wine, and reflecting on our summer seems far more pleasant than one last weekend with so many getting blackout drunk partying before going back to work until basically the end of the year without another holiday*.
Instead of the focus on labor, how about reflecting on the good, enjoying time with loved ones, and looking forward to the positives of returning to routine? There’s a lot to gain from transforming our perspective on transitions. It could lead to positive social change.
Ça va, mes amis? Who’s ready to bring this up at their next staff meeting lol?
*Oh, wait, there are two holidays but one day honors a genocidal sociopath and another the genocide. Oof. Apologies but it’s hard to not tangent as we have lots of cultural changes to make.
Wants to know. Has some questions. Very Sag. Always up for pizza. Planning several trips. Big fan of joy. Wants to talk about it. All of them. Is sure we can figure out this whole living thing. Is rooting for you.
