Frigide Barjot: A Losing Cause

How much more fashionably cosmopolitan can one be than to be a Parisian? In Europe, it was always France that was enlightened, forward-looking, able and willing to take on new social mores. The French positively prided themselves on their style, their fashion-consciousness, their heightened appreciation for the finer things of life, their aesthetic sense, their social awareness.

• French perfumes.

• French fashion houses.

• French aplomb.

• French cuisine.

• French wines.

• French cheeses

• French architecture

• French furniture styles

• French literature

• French art

• French lovers

• French socially advanced attitudes

The list seems well endowed, well earned and virtually endless. One could go on. Or one could linger at the last on the list. Because it seems so, well, out of character. France voted itself a new Socialist government, choosing the presidency of Francois Hollande, a dull-seeming man in comparison to his predecessor who was bumptious flamboyance personified.

Nicolas Sarkozy, let's face it, was a fascinating character. Francois Holland, not so much. Though both had a predilection for serial marriages, in a sense. Oops, it was Sarkozy who legalized his live-in arrangements; Francois Hollande, being the free-soul socialist that he is -- proving looks can be deceiving -- prefers the unwed-but-committed model. Until such time as one no longer wishes to be committed, leaving common-law partner and children for a presumably more alluring partner.

That said, what happened to the universal French laissez-faire attitude about love? Oh, we know it's there, and well represented among the hordes of the wealthy, the well-connected and the political hierarchy. There have been more than ample sex scandals emanating from France, enough so to challenge Italy's Berlusconi's ridiculous sexual appetite and seamy shamelessness.

So what gives with the fact that organizers of a march protesting a new "marriage for everyone" bill estimate that over a million people took part in a protest march on Sunday. In January an equally large turnout of outraged French citizens marched against the socialist party's determination to make same-sex marriage and child adoptions of same-sex partners legal in France.

Protestors clash with riot police officers during an anti gay marriage and gay adoption demonstration, in Paris, Sunday, March. 24, 2013. Thousands of French conservatives, families and activists have converged on the capital to try to stop the country from allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. The lower house of France's parliament approved the "marriage for everyone" bill last month with a large majority, and it's facing a vote in the Senate next month. Both houses are dominated by French President Francois Hollande's Socialist Party and its allies. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)(Credit: AP)

"Hollande, Resignation!", they shout. Then sing La Marseillaise; intent on upholding the sacred love and marriage values of France.  A shrinking majority of French voters back gay marriage, according to polls. The protests have brought out conservative activists, children, retirees, priests in an effort to stop the bill. It has been approved in the lower house and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.

Police fired tear gas as crowds attempted to march to the Elysee Palace. It seems evident that the voters are angry and they are extremely disappointed with their new socialist presidency. Wine, cheese, French bread, a walk along the Seine, a hug, a kiss, and discreet assignation.

Ah, France!