This week’s post takes a small detour away from the traditional tools we have been discussing recently regarding education. As an immersive approach to learning about various cultures, I was tasked with watching a TV show in a language and culture I was unfamiliar with. The silver lining- it could have English subtitles.
The purpose of this specific assignment makes a lot of sense. What better way to understand another culture than by actually watching people in it? It would not nearly be the same as if you were reading about the culture in a book or listening to someone talk about it. To understand the dynamic, you need to see how the people from that culture actually live. Watching shows or movies in another language has also proven very effective for helping people learn another language.
After some digging and scouring through reviews, I decided to watch “Dix Pour Cent” In the United States it is on Netflix and is alternatively named “Call My Agent!”
It is a French television show based in Paris. The characters work in a talent agency and much of the show takes place discussing the ins and outs of their work.
If you asked me a week ago to watch something with subtitles, I might have looked the other way. Now, I think I love it and want to learn more. The bad part, making room in my schedule for binge-watching a new show. I have so far watched the first two episodes and I am hooked.
The focus on the characters’ work lives makes sense because that is where they spend so much of their time. Much like professional jobs in the U.S., this is a familiar concept. Having such goal-driven and hardworking employees is what most companies strive to employ.
Getting to and from work is done in many forms. Some characters have scooters, while others may ride bikes. There are also plenty of cars lining the streets. I see many people in my town riding bikes, but do not see many scooters on the streets. This is something new for me to witness. I also do not live in a city so it is interesting to see the dynamic of having cafes and shops lining the streets. We tend to have strip malls and stand-alone restaurants and stores.
At the office, the employees are all dressed very professionally, wearing suits and dresses. This is a similar comparison to professional attire in American culture. Some of the assistants are not as put together, likely from being too busy running around making sure they are getting done what is asked of them by the agents.
This is another nod to how much the people in the office value their work and getting the job done. Many of them have done whatever it took to either keep a client or to negotiate a deal. This involves many lunch meetings which looked a little different than what I am used to. Many times in the United States, lunch happens in a rushed manner with takeout. From the depiction in the show, it seems as if lunches can be much longer, taking place in restaurants and cafes.
There are French staples like macaroons and bread on the tables.
In the scenes where the agents took clients to lunch, there was always wine present. This is not typical of daytime meetings in the United States. It would likely be frowned upon to drink while at lunch for work, and then to return to the office. In French culture, drinking wine during the day is much more accepted.
Coffee is another very common food/ beverage item depicted in this show. This is also very common in the United States. I am a very big coffee drinker, so in that case, I think I could fit right in. The only difference is that the cups of coffee are much smaller. In the U.S. we are very focused on things being large, and cups of coffee are included in that mindset. In this Paris setting, the cups are quite small.
For the most part during the series so far, the weather in Paris is quite dreary. It always seems to be cloudy and cold. They have not specified what time of year it is yet, but from what I have heard about France, this is typical in the Fall. It must not be too cold just yet because Cecile (a character who is an actress in the show) is seen tending to her beautiful garden. Her house must be located a bit outside of the downtown area of the city because she has a vast backyard area. Of the other characters, one rents an apartment while another owns a studio apartment. This is a good depiction of the range of socioeconomic status even among agents within the same office. It is important to note that the currency used in France is the euro, which is worth less than the U.S. dollar.
In the first episode, it was important for Cecile to get a part in an American movie. When her first agent does not come through, the other agent uses a shady approach through politics to get her the part in the film. It had to do with filming permits for the team in the U.S. to film in France. I would hope that this is not standard in politics, but like things that happen in the U.S., this may be the case.
A major difference I noticed in this television show compared to ones in the United States, is the manner and tone in which the coworkers talk to one another. In many of the scenes, a disagreement begins with stern talking and then progresses to yelling. This is not typical of the professional workplace norms that I have witnessed. A disagreement would typically take place in a calm respectful manner. This behavior is regarded as normal by the other agents and no one seems to intervene. I would love to learn more to see if this behavior is standard in this line of work and if it is different in other professions. The entertainment industry is very cutthroat in the United States and from the show, it seems very similar in France.
This new approach to watching a television show has opened my eyes to French Culture. I would implore others to branch out and watch a show that is not in their native language. Not only can this be a great cultural learning experience, but you may also be able to learn a word or two in another language.
If you have some spare time try to swim your way through the vast number of shows you can watch to help broaden your cultural horizons.
Please share any recommendations you have for other exciting foreign-language shows or films in the comments section below!