Programmes d'Echange
Camp America
Au Pair
Cours d'Anglais
Kids School
Resources
Liens Utiles

French-American Center Newsletter

Locked in a Mobile Cell

By Brad Jeffrey

Mobile Phone

As you read this there are mobile phones going off in Yoga classes all over the world. That's right the revolution will not be televised, it's going to come across your mini screen as a text message... « rise up and smash your cell phones b4 they eat our children ». Some, the weak, will not be capable. They will have to be stamped under by the march of progress and we will have to ply the still ringing object from their cold dead hands. It's unfortunate that there will be casualties but trust me we are better off without them, they would be incapable of functioning in a cell free world.

In view of the dissolving social etiquette it's time for drastic measures. How many times have I been in a classroom where somebody has answered their mobile call or sat at a dinner table while people text each other? Does it not strike anyone else as insane when they see couples walking side by side or people sitting together at a café having separate conversations on their phones? One has to ask why did they bother leaving their house? A day will come when it will be perfectly normal for two friends to be talking to each other on their mobiles and see each other in the street but continue their conversation on the phone and go their separate directions without so much as a wave to acknowledge the other's actual physical presence.

People tend to think that I am some kind of a luddite because I don't have a mobile but as the only people who are actually keenly interested in me getting one are the sort for whom restraining orders were invented I cannot say that I am motivated to change. For a brief period I actually had only a cell phone and no land line. An old acquaintance told me that this state of technological nomadicy meant three things about a man 1. loves to travell 2. is rarely at home 3. has commitment issues. Of course that was in Canada where it is still unusual for a person to favour a celly over a land line because local calls are always free on land lines in North America. Anglophones outside of North America tend to say « mobile » which gives the false impression of freedom whereas, in this case, I perfer the North American « cell » which more aptly reflects the confinement in a world where it is impossible to completely escape anybody for a long period of time without being rude and never answering or blocking their calls.

If you have already had to stop in the middle of reading this article to respond to the ring resembling the latest pop creation from star acadamy or if your attention was divided by the urgent need to send text messages with mood icons- stop --- seek help, you are no longer in control.

Back to our Newsletter mainpage

4, rue Saint Louis | 34000 Montpellier
tel: +33.(0)4.67.92.30.66

Email:

  • General Inquiries: reponsefac@gmail.com
  • Au Pair in America Inquiries: aupairinamerica@gmail.com
  • Camp America Inquiries: campamericafrance@gmail.com

Heures d'ouverture - du Lundi au Vendredi de 9h30 à 12h et de 14h à 18h30, renseignements sur place sur rendez-vous

This site was last updated on Dec 13, 2007.
Site optimisé pour Firefox.

Quick Links

Calendrier d'animations et manifestations Printemps/été 2008

  • Réunion d'information - Camp America
    Mercredi 5 mars 2008 à 19h00 au FAC
    Venez vous renseigner et rencontrer des gens qui sont partis l'été dernier
  • Murder Mystery
    Jeudi 6 mars 20h
    A fun evening of investigation as you try to figure out who committed the crime, or maybe it was you ...
  • St Patrick's Day
    Lundi 17 mars 20h
    Traditional Irish celebrations
  • Kids Easter workshop
    Mercredi 26 mars 17h15
    Easter fun and games for children with easter egg hunts.
  • Easter Pot Luck Dinner
    Jeudi 3 avril 20h
    Celebrate Easter with the French American Center. Please call to reserve and tell us what you are bringing. Emmener vos spécialités pour un repas partagé
  • Liar Liar 19h
    Mercredi 30 avril
    How good a liar are you? Find out with this fun American game.
  • Réunion d'information pour Au Pair in America
    Mecredi 7 mai 2008 à 18h30
    Venez vous renseigner sur le programme et ecouter les témoignages.
  • English Quiz Night
    Mardi 13 Mai au Vert Anglais à 19h
    rendez vous au FAC pour l'apéro et pour constituer les équipes.
  • Camp America Orientation
    Samedi 17 Mai 14h
    Hotel Mercure Centre à Montpellier
    218 rue bastion Ventadour 34000 MONTPELLIER
  • Snooker Night
    Jeudi 29 Mai à 19h au FAC
    Manifestation sur les règles et l'histoire du jeu et apéro au Centre suivi par soirée Snooker. Pick your partner and off out for snooker night.
  • 'V- for Vendetta' Soirée Cinéma
    Jeudi 12 Juin 20h au FAC
    Avec Talk, film and discussion, all in English of course!
  • "Show and Tell"
    Vendredi 27 Juin à 19h au FAC
    Présenter votre boisson et plat typique préféré en Anglais (or in French if you are an anglophone) and we will enjoy tasting. Contribute your regional speciality and prepare to taste the best of Ireland, Australia,Canada,England and America! Please call to confirm what you are bringing.
  • Kid's School End of Term Play and Disco
    Mercredi 2 Juillet à 17h15
    Venez admirer le travail de vos petits en anglais.
  • Happy America Day
    Vendredi 4 Juillet 19h au FAC
    Manifestation sur l'histoire americain et apéro suivi d'un repas typique au restaurant. (Reservation obligatoire).
  • Beach Olympics
    Vendredi 22 Aout rendez vous à 19h au FAC
    Fun for all the family with lots of games, all ages welcome!

Animations Footer