pièces jaunes
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Our 13-year-old, Jackie, making a wish after putting several pièces jaunes into the votive candles tray. Sign up for a free French Word-A-Day.
pièces jaunes (pyes zhone) noun fpl
: "yellow pieces", or loose change
French Christmas Music: "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here.
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A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
Jackie and I are counting coins in the parking lot beside the boulodrome. It's "after school" aka "l'heure du gouter" and my 13-year-old is hankering for a powdery beignet, only I'm out of cash, or had thought I was....
Réfléchissons! What about the car's cendrier? My daughter and I grab for it... one of us signaling our victory with a rattling of the removable ash bin (and those cantankerous coins within!).
The triumphant rush is quickly hushed when all we can see inside the cendrier is a yellow haze. Pas de chance! Gone are the silver-edged coins that would make our bakery run an easy one. Not a one- or two-euro coin to be found!
"Plan B" has us pecking out several easy targets: the more "meaty" 10 and 20 centime pieces. What's left are the tinny tiny pièces jaunes. For our muffin mission, we'll need another 30 or so of these petite pièces.
Building little coin stacks as we go (and none of those paper penny wrappers I used as a kid, years ago), we sort through centimes of various value—in ones, twos, and fives—to add to our modest but respectable ten and twenty centime pieces. Enfin, we arrive at the spendable sum of one euro.
Having done the arithmetic and painstakingly come up with the gist of it (the funds necessary for one sugary bun), we linger thoughtfully. It is a mixture of pride and politesse that is nagging us. On the one hand, or the "pride side", one of us (I've already elected Jackie) is going to feel very uneasy unloading a ton of tiny coins on the baker's counter. And on the other hand (celle de la Politesse) one hates to trouble the baker with so much coin counting.
Then there's the guilt: the "yellow pieces" really don't belong to us. They are for the needy, or should be. A hankering is not a need, nor is a hankerer a needy one (though a hankerer may be hungry, and for a bun!). I am thinking of "Operation Pièces Jaunes" the French foundation that began in 1990 with the goal of improving the daily lives of children and adolescents in pediatric hospital wards.
Yes, but, giving is optional and, as options go: we can opt to use these yellow pieces now... and use this occasion as un rappel: a reminder to contribute our cantankerous coins to Operation Pièces Jaunes!
How quickly we convince ourselves and, like that, fast as fried flour, Jackie is off to the baker's for her beignet and back in a flash.
"How did it go, Sweety? Did the baker look at you funny?"
"No," Jackie assured me. "But she wanted me to tell you that she would be happy to buy some of our wine. That we need only to go and see her...."
With that, I slid down in my car seat. I had thought about pride; I had thought about la politesse... but I hadn't imagined our baker would worry about our very own financial fitness! Let that be un rappel. Next time I'll remember: the pièces jaunes really are reserved for the poor!
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Post Note: to be clear, the French do regularly use those not-so-handy pièces jaunes... (else why would a baguette cost 85 centimes? Hmmm?). So don't hesitate to use them when you are in France.
...still and all, it is good to be reminded that a better place exists for our excess: in the pockets of the less fortunate it is always used best.
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:: Le Coin Commentaires ::
Corrections, comments, and stories of your own are most welcome, here, in the comments box.
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French Vocabulary
le boulodrome = area for playing boules
l'heure du gouter = snack time
le beignet = doughnut
réfléchissons... = let's think for a moment...
le cendrier = ashtray
pas de chance! = outta luck!
les pièces jaunes = "yellow pieces", spare change, pennies
enfin = finally
celle de la politesse = that of politeness
un rappel = a reminder
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That's the other Jackie, in drag. She is one of my muses, someone I had the chance to meet thanks to my belle-soeur, Cécile. Read a poem ("Bohème") I wrote for Jackie and see a picture of my belle-soeur (she's the one with the tattoo) here.
And speaking of bohemiennes, I hope you don't mind my sharing this mini-review (more of a "Tweet") I wrote yesterday about another unlikely bohème, Darlene Deibler Rose:
Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II
Might I add:
Thankful to be reading this book about a strong woman who doesn't have a namby-pamby bone in her body and who knows the meaning of gratefulness (grateful for a coconut covered fly to eat, grateful for a grass mat on which to sleep...) Order this book, here.
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
When in France most of mes pièces jaunes end up in the poor boxes in various churches. Although I was a Math major, without my reading glasses on I'm not very quick at making change with the one, two, and five cent coins, and nothing is more embarrassing to me than to have the clerk reach over the counter and take the correct coins out of my hand. (Glad to see you're back, Jules!)
Posted by: Bill in St. Paul | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 12:55 PM
On ne saurait vivre uniquement pour soi.
One cannot live only for oneself.
Posted by: gail bingenheimer | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Salut Kristin,
Today’s story was an excellent mix of humor, social responsibility, and French phrases.
For me, it brought the word “pinch” to mind. A frugal person is said to “pinch pennies”; a “penny pincher”. Also, in the early days of the gold rush in California, the phrase “in a pinch” was common. It related to the pinch of gold dust that was used as legal tender before gold coins were minted. Even today, the phrase “How much can you raise in a pinch?” is still common.
À bientôt
Posted by: Herm in Phoenix, AZ | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 02:28 PM
God bless you for this heart warming story!
Posted by: Kathleen King | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 03:35 PM
Kristi Darling - Your story today was 'so you' - I remember many, many outings when you would be rumaging (sp?) around in your car for money. I cannot imagine being away from my home without MONEY in my pocket. Even here in Puerto Vallarta I used to always carry 'taxi' money in case I was to tired to find a bus stop. You should always have a nice 'stash' in your car and especially on your person. Granda Young always had her's stashed in her bra, when she became too stacked she would wander into the jewlers shop and buy more diamonds.
You probably don't remember her - she was your beautiful Grandma Audrey's Mom. Oh the stories - Grandpa was the 'undisputed' light-weight champion of the world in boxing (1920's). Jack Dempsey used to come to our house - he loved Grandpa.
You could stash a little money in your camera case.
Hi Bill - I am so happy to see your comments again, 5 months without a computer is pure hell.
Herm - you are just a real cutie, I have been spending hours doing catch-up on all of Kristi's stories - and of course I always read every single comment. Your comments are so entertaining. Herm you are such a delight, so talented with words. We are all so blessed to have you with us following along on Kristi's journey. Did you and Karen get together for coffee yet???
Wish I could be in that cafe with you two.
XOXO
JULES
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 04:05 PM
Here in Canada, the Senate finance committee is seriously considering getting rid of the penny. It costs 1.5 cents to make one penny in Canada and they have had to increase production in past years, because less and less are in circulation. They think that instead of spending the measly penny, people are hoarding them. What reminded me of this when I read your story is that they want to ask charities to have penny drives to help collect all of the errant cents for them.
Posted by: Laura Barakeris | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 04:39 PM
I read the Darlene Diebler Rose book earlier this year and loved it.
I have thought about your Happy Childhood post last week and reflected that happiness is really within us, not our circumstances.
I always enjoy your posts!
Posted by: sue kelly | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 05:00 PM
Salut Jules,
Flattery will get you all kinds of attention . . . Merci! It’s my pleasure to be a part of this interesting and friendly group of FWAD followers. I learn something with every session.
Karen and I have plans for coffee after the holiday hassle. Want to join us? Maybe there are others in the Phoenix area that could join us. What a time we would have!
À bientôt
Posted by: Herm in Phoenix, AZ | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 05:02 PM
Indeed the French use these small coins. I remember being frustrated repeatedly by retailers asking (insisting?) that I look further in my wallet for the exact change --because THEY never seemed to have it, or just didn't want to part with it!
Posted by: Janet | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 05:12 PM
Good morning Kristin,
So you are not the only one looking for coins...I am always in search only for a trip to the terrible snack machine that would end up eating my coins anyhow...Good to see you and lovely story as usual!
Love,
Mona
Posted by: Mona | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 05:42 PM
Bonjour Kristin,
I have been enjoying your French word a day for a while now! You radiate enthusiasm and the stories are so fun to read... ! I am coming to France this summer with my 3 kids (twin 11 year old girls and an 8 year old boy) and staying in San Raphael to study French. I wonder if anyone has advice of fun places to travel easily with the kids. Half day or week end trips from there. Any advice greatly appreciated! PS My Labrador died two years ago and I have been missing him something terrible ever since, and the pictures and tales of your dogs bring me great joy! Thanks for those!
Posted by: Alicia | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Had to laugh about your story today as it reminded me about a similar one. Last winter we were returning home from a Holy Hour at our Catholic church, where we pray from 5 to 6 am. Returning it was dark and cold and we stopped for a bag of donut holes at a bakery. Not having $2, I counted out all the small change I could, went in and put down the money and the lady in front of me INSISTED on buying my donuts. Am sure she thought I was homeless and poor. My husband and I had a good laugh!!
Posted by: Jean Lillibridge | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Jean, love your story - thanks for the giggles!
Alicia, there is a big waterpark in Fréjus (I think): this was always Max and Jackie's favorite pasttime (albeit not a very cultural activity!) Maybe someone can help with the waterpark name or with another recommendation. Great idea!
Janet, good point about the shops insisting on a deeper peek inside the change purse. It's true! And, as Bill admitted, it is always a humbling experience when they reach over the comptoir to help count!
Herm, enjoy your coffee meet up and we'll join you and Karen at the next chance! I can think of several other "desert rats" (who, come to think of it haven't commented in a while...) that might join us. (Now I'm starting to worry...)
Sue, what a coincidence that you read Darlene's book earlier this year (as it was published sometime in the 90's. It's still selling very well - and no wonder!) And thanks for mentioning the Happy Childhood story.
Laura, interesting to read about the cost of a cent!
Mom, I'm wearing some of those diamonds as I type. They are the size of ground pepper--rather "it" is the size of a grind of pepper (pepper speck size?), it's the only one left on the worn-thin band that was her engagement ring. No wonder she was always saving and stashing! Eventually, she sparkled as much on the outside as she did on the inside.
Thank you all for the kind words in today's (and in the recent) story.
Posted by: Kristin | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 07:12 PM
Yay!!!! JULES is back! Oh how we've missed you! Merci, Kristin, for a delightful story. Like Herm, I always learn something here. I'm so glad to know the origin of the phrase "in a pinch". I always thought it had to do with a violent act (teehee!) And I'm cracking up with the visual of Granda Young's "stacked bra"! And I ditto Alicia's comments about the joy of your tales of Smokey Dokey and his maman. Wishing for snow in SW KS where it is warm and dry - oh my!
Posted by: Candy in SW KS | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 07:43 PM
Salut Kristin,
Your daughter looks just like you (I actually thought it was you until I read the caption)!
Great post. I've been a subscriber for almost 2 years (?) and love your thrice-a-week blog. I was also born in Arizona, and am also a francophile/francophone around your age, so I really "get" who you are (at least I think I do). I also have a very good friend who is exactly like your mother (who coincidentally now lives in the Camargue), so there is a lot of personal entertainment value to your post. Thanks!
jean-gardner
Posted by: JeanGardner | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 07:44 PM
And speaking of "bohemiens et bohemiennes," my son e-mailed me to let me know that tonight (Wednesday), PBS is running a program about Paris in the 1920s. I'm looking forward to watching it. (9:00PM in the Chicago area: "Paris-- The Luminous Years") Joan L.
Posted by: Joan Linneman | Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 09:36 PM