There is a marvelous book, and i mean marvelous, called '2 lipsticks and a lover' about that most infectious of cities - Paris. 2 lipsticks and a lover refers to what a woman should always have when she is in Paris, and there is a part of me (a small part, mind, but a part nonetheless), that is inclined to agree with her. Apparently the first lipstick is for before the lover, the second for after. One can imagine this fictitious heroine going from a nude pink before to a rich, rusty red afterwards. Divine.
It got me thinking though, to whether one can distill the essence of a city into one little sentence. I am the type of person who thrives on excess, i hate any competition, questionnaire or survey that implores me to describe myself in 3 words, or sum up a story in 25 words or less. I can think of nothing more odious than to restrict myself when it comes to words. That much should be patently obvious when you considering the ratio of words to text on this blog. When i start writing, i can't hold myself back. And i'm already 2 paragraphs into this post without coming anywhere near my point. So let's plough on.
2 lipsticks and a lover. It's a fine sentiment no doubt. Surely a large amount of Parisians would agree. And in the movie 'An Education, posted about last week, Jenny's friends exhort her to bring them back the best from Paris, namely Chanel number 5 and cigarettes. Chanel Number 5 and cigarettes... now that's a thought. They're almost as Parisian as lipstick, or lovers, or even baguettes (though one expects the baguette would hinder the use of the lipstick and the lover).
the point of the book 2 lipsticks and a lover is not to merely sum up paris into 5 words. It is one in a long line of books that purports to show you how to 'unlock your inner french-ness' (her words, not mine) and to embrace the gallic goddess within. It dispenses ancient remedies such as impeccable tailoring, fresh beauty regimes (wash your face with water and nothing else, was one memorable entry, touting its knowledge as if people have been using creme de la mer since the dawn of time) and the art of accesorising. I sound snide here, i know, but i actually rather love the book, because it is one of the few books about mimicking that ineffable quality that is french (the whole point about ineffability is that you cannot copy it, but anyway..), that actually succeeds. It manages to not talk down to the reader, to impart some important lessons in french style and elegance that though perhaps go without saying but need to be said in this age of crotchless panties and breast implants. And it does it with a wry, tongue in chic tone, and has a wonderful title. A book is nothing without a good title, I say.
However, I don't want to talk about style. I want to talk about compactness.
Can you sum up a city in a sentence? Perhaps, perhaps not. We don't want to essentialise, but perhaps there are multiple ways of describing an experience, or a place, or a person. Each contributes to the overall idea, yet individually can stand on their own. Just as how '2 lipsticks and a lover' and 'chanel number 5 and cigarettes' show parts of Paris, so too would the phrase macaroon rainbow. Or city of light/love/dreams (delete as you wish).
I think, though, that there is something to be said for economy. Twitter has proved this, people have taken to the idea of compacting their thoughts into 140 characters like ducks to water. Of course, there is the occasional moment when 2 tweets are required to make a point, but on the whole people restrict themselves to the world limit, however hard. Recognising that you can't capture the whole essence of the thing is the first step, but it is clear that you can capture something. For sure, my Parisian experience has never held lovers (yet, though i remain ever hopeful as one must in this situation), but that does not mean i cannot see the inherent merit of such an epithet. Just as how i hope you may look at my following epithets and be reminded of some truly wonderful places.
London - messy hair, running mascara and scruffy boots.
New York - bagels, black cars and ballet shoes.
Hong Kong - sweat and tears. sticky and sweet. teeming with life.
How would you sum up your favourite city?
X
It got me thinking though, to whether one can distill the essence of a city into one little sentence. I am the type of person who thrives on excess, i hate any competition, questionnaire or survey that implores me to describe myself in 3 words, or sum up a story in 25 words or less. I can think of nothing more odious than to restrict myself when it comes to words. That much should be patently obvious when you considering the ratio of words to text on this blog. When i start writing, i can't hold myself back. And i'm already 2 paragraphs into this post without coming anywhere near my point. So let's plough on.
2 lipsticks and a lover. It's a fine sentiment no doubt. Surely a large amount of Parisians would agree. And in the movie 'An Education, posted about last week, Jenny's friends exhort her to bring them back the best from Paris, namely Chanel number 5 and cigarettes. Chanel Number 5 and cigarettes... now that's a thought. They're almost as Parisian as lipstick, or lovers, or even baguettes (though one expects the baguette would hinder the use of the lipstick and the lover).
the point of the book 2 lipsticks and a lover is not to merely sum up paris into 5 words. It is one in a long line of books that purports to show you how to 'unlock your inner french-ness' (her words, not mine) and to embrace the gallic goddess within. It dispenses ancient remedies such as impeccable tailoring, fresh beauty regimes (wash your face with water and nothing else, was one memorable entry, touting its knowledge as if people have been using creme de la mer since the dawn of time) and the art of accesorising. I sound snide here, i know, but i actually rather love the book, because it is one of the few books about mimicking that ineffable quality that is french (the whole point about ineffability is that you cannot copy it, but anyway..), that actually succeeds. It manages to not talk down to the reader, to impart some important lessons in french style and elegance that though perhaps go without saying but need to be said in this age of crotchless panties and breast implants. And it does it with a wry, tongue in chic tone, and has a wonderful title. A book is nothing without a good title, I say.
However, I don't want to talk about style. I want to talk about compactness.
Can you sum up a city in a sentence? Perhaps, perhaps not. We don't want to essentialise, but perhaps there are multiple ways of describing an experience, or a place, or a person. Each contributes to the overall idea, yet individually can stand on their own. Just as how '2 lipsticks and a lover' and 'chanel number 5 and cigarettes' show parts of Paris, so too would the phrase macaroon rainbow. Or city of light/love/dreams (delete as you wish).
I think, though, that there is something to be said for economy. Twitter has proved this, people have taken to the idea of compacting their thoughts into 140 characters like ducks to water. Of course, there is the occasional moment when 2 tweets are required to make a point, but on the whole people restrict themselves to the world limit, however hard. Recognising that you can't capture the whole essence of the thing is the first step, but it is clear that you can capture something. For sure, my Parisian experience has never held lovers (yet, though i remain ever hopeful as one must in this situation), but that does not mean i cannot see the inherent merit of such an epithet. Just as how i hope you may look at my following epithets and be reminded of some truly wonderful places.
London - messy hair, running mascara and scruffy boots.
New York - bagels, black cars and ballet shoes.
Hong Kong - sweat and tears. sticky and sweet. teeming with life.
How would you sum up your favourite city?
X
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