Saying "Bonjour" helps build relationships, makes you smile & is polite.

Bonjour ...

I've just finished reading French Children Don't Throw Food by Pamela Druckerman - it's a novel, come parent's handbook, come life-lessons journal.

I had a love-hate relationship with the book: loved the little lessons and loathed the fact that I'm profiled as an Anglophone parent (hovering mother) - which isn't great to the French!

However, some of the life lessons are great reminders of how we can be more effective human beings:

Saying Bonjour (Hello!) with everyone you encounter helps you smile, build relationships and is genuinely polite.
Exert authority in your voice, yet don't be an authoritarian. Useful for the Australian twang.
Practise being Sage (Sah-je) - Be wise and stay calm: don't stress, be in control of life's dillemmas!
Focus on having Equilibre (Eh-key-lee-bre) - Balance: Don't let one part of life overwhelm other parts.
Set a Cadre (kah-druh) - firm limits for *children* but giving them tremendous freedom within those limits (*adults*!)

Being more conscious of these five lessons can only help us be more aware of our effectiveness and presence in society.

Au revoir!