France succumbs to yellow vests

It's always impressive how quickly France adopts a fashion. One day no-one is wearing ballerine shoes, then everyone is (à la Carla Bruni). We are now in the midst of a new sartorial craze -- le gilet jaune, or the high-visibility vest.

You may remember how the state ran a tongue-in-cheek campaign that used Karl Lagerfeld to publicise a new law requiring fluorescent safety vests to be carried inside all vehicles. "It's yellow, it's ugly and it goes with nothing, but it can save your life," said Karl. 

The fashion icon did the trick. Suddenly Day-Glo is everywhere. Paris cyclists, who had always eschewed safety gear as un-chic still don't wear helmets much, but yellow is their new black. The same applies to scooter riders, protest marchers and people handing out leaflets.

That's obviously commendable. More cyclists can now be seen in the winter gloom. But the really odd manifestation of the gilet jaune is a fashion for draping them around front car seats.

It seems to have started because people believed that the new law requires them to be visible, not stashed in the glove-box or seat pocket. Some mistakenly thought that this would prevent police from stopping them to check their compliance (They are still stopped because they have to carry a triangle as well). Now, somewhere about one in ten cars are sporting the yellow vest look, according to quick surveys around the country. They are more prevalent in the provinces than Paris. The gilet jaune around the seat has become the new version of the nodding dog on the rear shelf or the furry dice hanging from the rear-view mirror.

The fad is annoying many people and it is now seen as a joke. It has become a defining symbol of "beaufitude" -- naffness in UK English -- like Bluetooth earpieces or wearing mobile phones on the belt or the tourists who carry bottles of water around Paris.

The gilet-on-display fashion is so irritating that there are now about 200 groups on Facebook devoted to fighting it. There are 70,000 members in the biggest one, called Contre les cons qui foutent leur gilet jaune fluo sur le siège auto [Against the plonkers who stick their yellow fluorescent vest on the car seat]. Watch an anti-gilet jaune squad in street action here.

Some newspapers have studied the phenomenon. La Charente Libre, based in the west, found that drivers thought the vest was fun on the seat because it "brightens things up". Other were doing it "because everyone else is doing it." Their prize went to the man in a green Citroen Xsara who had equipped both front seats with yellow vests and had two more on the back seat on top of a Johnnny Hallyday towel.

Hallyday, France's rock'n roll monument, is himself a high-grade symbol of beaufitude. Nicolas Sarkozy is a big Hallyday fan but we don't know yet if the President has fitted a yellow vest on the seat of the black Mercedes 4x4 (SUV) which he drives about town. Black SUVs are of course another symbol of heavy-duty beaufitude, but I'm getting off the point.

  [Below: fashionable chien parisien]

Comments

[Romain]

How much for the dog on display ? I am part of the "cons qui foutent leur gilet jaune fluo sur le siège de voiture", I cross the French/Spanish border at least once a week and the gendarmes are there most of the time to offer me an alcohotest. Although they should know me by now (it is a small checkpoint called Dantxaria), it cuts down negociation time. I must recognise they display remarkably reddish noses and cheeks, with some signs of "couperose" is it rosacea ?. As we say here "ils n'ont pas un nez à sucer de la glace".

[Andrew Other]

So what's the law with motorcycles - do bikers have to wear a high-visibility vest, or what?

[The law doesn't stipulate anything for motorcycles. Bicycle riders have to wear one at night outside built-up areas. CB]

How about a gilet jaune for Dickie? It would fit his personality perfectly and he would wear it proudly.

[un ch'iti touquetois]

The word "cons" is the plural of an
English word begining with C and
ending with T. Not plonker!

[I think you are new here Monsieur le ch'ti. We've had enless debate on how to translate slang into each language. The sense of "con" in ordinary languge is not the English word you suggest, even if it meant that originally. That word is much stronger in English than French. CB]

[Chris]

And I thought Jezza Clarkson was being a complete idiot by wearing a high vis jacket during a race on Top Gear, through France, in his Jag. Turns out he was completely spot on and taking the pi** out of such a stupid craze!
Go Jezza.

[Leo...]

Better yellow than the red (many) protesters are wearing. At least no sinister historical implication.

[Colin]

I was told that the police were stopping drivers to check if they were complying with the new law of having a hi-viz vest in your car. One way of avoiding being pulled over was to display your vest so that it could be seen by the police.

[Marc]

Ah Charles, it's not enough to reside in Paris, you have to live with, and understand, the French people. If you did, you would know that the reason for the hideous gilets being draped over car seats is to avoid the necessity of being stopped by the gendarmerie, who have the right to stop and check, to see if motorists are obeying the law. The French are pragmatic.

So Charles, it is time to eat humble pie and admit that you had no idea, whatsoever, that there might be a practical reason for the display of the yellow gilet.

[No it's not. We're all aware of that argument Marc. It's been aired plenty enough on tv and radio. But the police have been saying -- though perhaps you didn't hear -- that seeing a gilet makes no difference to them. They will still stop you to see the triangle. They announced that in September. CB]

[rocket]

France succumbs to yellow.

Now now..Charles you're going to have the entire anti French bashing squad on your back if they ever figure out the "double entendre" of this title.

I give them about 5 minutes. Then again they may never figure it out.

Word is out on the street that you are a marked man. (with the caveat LOL of course like with the Sarkozy doll). Please practice putting your arms behind your back.

[Tim]

Re the translation of con -perhaps it is stronger in English, but it is not as weak as plonker. There is a closer word in English, beginning with T, which is synonymous with the original meaning and is in strength somewhere between plonker and the unmentionable other word ..

[PAUL 1st]

There's no problem here: the safety jacket is an extremely good idea and on the back of the driver's seat is the most convenient and most practical place to keep it. It is the campaign organizers who are "les cons", wanting to be different at all costs, even at that of their own lives.

[Ken, Brighouse]

Maybe these people are trying to show the police they actually do have a 'gilet jaune' which is now a requirement if you drive and happen to break down on the continent, as many Brits have found out to their cost for not having one.

[Yes, that was the original idea, but the police still stop you because they need to check that you have the safety triangle, which is also compulsory. CB]

[David Duncan]

Being from NE in the USA I have no fashion sense. It will be interesting to see how long this takes to reach my country. And the French say we have no culture. Hats off to Clarkson for living his wit.

[richard.jones]

I've understood double entendre what is like déjà vu but with your ears, n'est-ce pas?

[richard.jones]

I also think that being obliged to transport one of these unfashionable safety mantras is a transvestite of justice.

[azloon]

CB

i don't meant to appear too dense, but i went back thru the lagerfield piece, and this one, and nowhere i can find where you have explained the reason for the vest in the car. maybe i'm the only one who needs such an explanation, but the proofreader/reporter in me wants it spelled out.

for motorcyclists, police directing traffic, bicyclists, the reason is obvious.

are those that are required to be visable in the car in the event one has to walk along the highway to get help? that would make the most sense. and the triangle is required to be place on the rear of a disabled car? does it have a glue which allows attachment?

it has occurred to me that nowadays, most motorists are able to phone the police or a towing service with a cell phone thus obviating the need to get out of the car.

[Yes the yellow thing is for wearing if you have to stop on a roadside. You have to carry one inside the car so you are wearing it when you step out. The reflective triangles, common in Europe, stand on their own. You put them up the road behind the vehicle. You are not supposed to stay inside the car if you make an emergency stop on a freeway because of the risk of someone ploughing into it -- as often happens. CB]

[rocket]

Marc

"Ah Charles, it's not enough to reside in Paris, you have to live with, and understand, the French people. If you did, you would know that the reason for the hideous gilets being draped over car seats is to avoid the necessity of being stopped by the gendarmerie, who have the right to stop and check, to see if motorists are obeying the law. The French are pragmatic."

No they're not pragmatic so don't invent crap. They do this in hopes that the Gendarme won't take the time to stop them believing that they have both the triangle and the vest since they have shown the vest. It's like those stupid little handwritten signs people put on their car in Paris that they are only gone for 5 minutes, so they can escape paying 50 euro centimes parking and "merci de votre comprehension". But the French mind is much more complex and convoluted. The Gendarme thinks that they show the vests as a lure and that they may not have the triangle. At least a certified one.

Go figure!

[Seamus]

Je pense que le drame est fou , mais on fait qu'est-ce qu'il nous faut pour rester sain et sauf.

[Fernandez]

How long before they start hanging the triagle from their rear view mirror like an air freshner?

[Romain]

According to road accident prevention statistics, the lifespan of people stuck on a motorway safety lane is very short, I believe it is less than 20 minutes. The triangle should be set 30 meters back to be effective, yet a very small protection.

[Nick]

The gilets jaunes draped over a car seat don't bother my sense of fashionability (is that a real word or did I just make it up ?) at all - but sporting a Bluetooth earpiece, now that is the height or depth, of crassness.

The sad thing is that these people do not realise that they look like absolute plonkers, to use a charitable word !

[Benoit Dupont]

And here you can find the explanation of the true meaning of the Gilet Jaune, by Jean-Pierre Coffe himself ! (in French) :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x78hww_le-secret-du-gilet-jaune_fun

[martin]

Personally, give me an AK47 anytime, but especially if stuck on a motorway.

[Nicholas Wibberley]

The driver should also carry spare spectacles (if used), spare bulbs for the lights and spare fuses. The latter might make rather fetching earrings.

[Clara]

I usually translate "con" as cad or jerk, although sometimes accentuating either less intensity as in cretins, or more, as in b*st*rds.

[Aydou]

I write from France to say that I laugh a lot by reading your article... It's really like that now, personaly I really don't understand why people put their gillet jaune over car seats I don't think that it's to avoid that police stop them but they are just really in a beaufitude mind

[Romain]

Martin,

Due to financial crisis, Ak47 are on sale for 99.99$ with five amunition clips thrown in. Howmany do you want ? Payment through Paypal.

[azloon]

[How long before they start hanging the triagle from their rear view mirror like an air freshner?] Fernandez

with the 'smell of danger'?

or maybe hospital smell.

[Romain]

In my opinion, the nearest equivalent to "con" is the american "moron", it is more difficult to find the English tantamount. I like plonker though, it sounds like "Joe the plonker" to a French ear.

[rocket]

Nicolas

"The driver should also carry spare spectacles (if used), spare bulbs for the lights and spare fuses."

It's so ridiculous. Next they'll want us to have a spare tire in the trunk.

[Lee]

Hmmph. I always thought the Day-Glows came from Italy, not france!

[Gavin]

They are everywhere in the UK! How is the wary alert motorist to look out for the speedtrap bizzies when everyone-pedestrians, cyclists drivers- are ALL wearing them!

[Steve]

Crass - the way we are going, all pedestrians will soon be required to wear them when out walking the streets. Then indoors while cooking. Don't laugh - some EU nit will say it will reduce the number of burns/scalds or collisions because peds will be more easily seen. Bit like the primary school my kids attended where the Head painted the steps outside doors yellow and all the drain gullys. He'll paint the corners of the building yellow next in case anyone walk into them.

[Marc]

Sorry Charles, you may be aware of the argument but I live in Paris and with the French. I know for a fact that everyone, who I know and who has the gilet on display, has it on display in order to avoid the spot check. They, like most people know that the gendarmerie would see no reason for someone to own a gilet without owning the triangle. And, for that matter, the first aid kit and the spare bulbs etc.

The gendarmerie will, of course, say that they will check anyway, but there are enough people for them to check, who do not display the gilet.

Come on, it's obvious!

[Marc]

P.S. As far as the word, :Con" is concerned, C.B. is absolutely correct. I presume that rocket has seen my previous post, which was written without any intention at rudeness. Try it sometime, Rocket!

[SUE]

I'M HAVING A TRANSLATION PROBLEM WITH - PLONKER - WHAT IS SO BAD WITH A T WORD? I CAN'T GUESS WHAT IT IS.

[Blendi Progri]

...complex rules, gotta hand it to the bureocrats.
Imagine if there was a rule to carry in the car a spare wife.
(at all times!)
It would be fun.

[Fernandez]

"with the 'smell of danger'?

or maybe hospital smell." --Azloon

How about the 'smell of a pedestrian's fear'!

[azloon]

Re: 'con' as a term of derogation

this discussion goes back at least to the story of Sarko wading into a crowd of protestors, and calling one of them 'pov' con,' suposedly because the guy said something rude to His Royal Highness (don't expect to see this sort of crudity from Obama; it's reserved for the likes of NS and dick cheney -- who 'went sarko one better' and called a u.s. senator a 'motherfucker' on the floor of the senate).

at the time of NS's outburst, there was much back and forth here about whether 'con' meant a frenchified version of 'cunt' or something more akin to jerk or moron.

having three gen-x son's who have exposed me to most of the au courant derogatives/expletives of the younger set, i am thinking that 'con' might be translated as 'douche bag' by that particular american age stratum.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=douche+bag

p.s. as i write, i am staring at a 'pov' con' button on my desk which was sent to me by one of the bloggers here, knowing my interest in scatological invective.

[Ros]

"The gilet-on-display fashion is so irritating that there are now about 200 groups on Facebook devoted to fighting it" - sorry, but even after all these comments I can't understand why all these people find it "irritating" where and how others display anything in THEIR OWN CARS,surely they have other worries and even if they don't it's more sensible to keep one's eyes on the road!

[clive, enfield]

get a life you lot.

[Valentin]

"WHAT IS SO BAD WITH A T WORD? I CAN'T GUESS WHAT IT IS."

me neither. Anyone ?

[qwerty]

I tried to get Charles on my i-pod, and landed on the French translation of the blog. Great fun reading comments about "cons" and "c**ts" and the t-word (what the hell is that?) in French. Reading Azloon in fluent French - awesome.

Try it.

Still can't seem to get the regular blogsite on my i-pod.

[How're you doing that ? or is it an i-phone ? I can ask our tech people to help. CB]

[Nigel Strang]

I would just like to point out that wearing reflective jackets has become obligatory (yes there's a law for everything in France) and so people have to do it and its this that explains the appearance of the yellow jacket - not fashion -

As we say - c'est pas con du tout !

Voila

N

[4degresnord]

Charles Bremmer,

It is plenty obvious from your retorts to commentators arguing that they put this jacket in a visible place to avoid being stopped by the police that you actually believe what the police are saying. Might I remind you that you are not in the UK, where such beliefs might be understandable, but in France, where the police are mostly talk. I guarantee they will not stop you for your triangle if you are showing the jacket: that would require a dedication to work that no one working an average 27 hours per week can show.

[azloon]

[Reading Azloon in fluent French - awesome.]

Qwerty, could you get me a hard copy? i want to send it to my high school french teacher.

[John O'D]

The police should stop any twit daft enough to wrap his gilet jaune around the front car seat because it's likely to block the opening of the lateral airbags mounted in the seat sides. They can save the silly sod's life in case of an accident caused by bluetooth earphone induced driver distraction.

[Hillblogger]

Re: "and so people have to do it and its this that explains the appearance of the yellow jacket - not fashion -"

Belgium has been doing it long before the law was adopted in France.

And while Charles thinks it's simply fashion, there's no denying that it's more prudent, i.e., visibility, for bikers to sport one.

[You're absolutely right for bicyclists etc. France was late to catch on. My argument on fashion was about the way that people are draping them on car seats. CB]

[Daisy]

The next time France hosts the G8 summit, Sarko can give each of the leaders a gilet jaune for the final photo-op. Heaven knows they've worn stranger outfits.

[ken]

To my mind--imho--the closest to 'con' in english (at least american version) would be 'ass'. You can add the 'holes' in a more extreme case.