Out in the country one needs to be aware of so much. Which bugs sting, what plants have thorns, and the animals you can, or cannot, trust. One also has to be aware that water is precious, and that out in the styx 'septic tanks' can be unpredictable.
Water, especially, has become a big issue. Hosepipe bans are now almost obligatory in summer, and unnecessarily flushing gallons of water down the loo every few minutes is both expensive and anti-social.
It is probably for this reason that all Frenchmen are instructed at birth to pee outside.
It often shocks the first-time foreign visitor; that Frenchmen are to be seen peeing by the side of the road. For us it is normal; a liberty that we enjoy to the fullest, as we save the nation's water reserves.
Even small boys are occasionally to be seen 'doing their bit for the nation'.
Water, especially, has become a big issue. Hosepipe bans are now almost obligatory in summer, and unnecessarily flushing gallons of water down the loo every few minutes is both expensive and anti-social.
It is probably for this reason that all Frenchmen are instructed at birth to pee outside.
It often shocks the first-time foreign visitor; that Frenchmen are to be seen peeing by the side of the road. For us it is normal; a liberty that we enjoy to the fullest, as we save the nation's water reserves.
Even small boys are occasionally to be seen 'doing their bit for the nation'.
It is supposed to be good for the citrus trees.
ReplyDeleteYou should have got him to do it on the compost heap as I'm sure you do.
ReplyDeleteIt's a way of connecting with nature, being part of the great circle of wine. I mean beer. I mean, of life, the circle of life.
ReplyDelete... and if you can disturb a small rodent or similar in the roadside shrubbery then it's just so much more fun.
this made me laugh out loud!
DeleteThis is where you have the advantage over us ladies in the quest to save water !! The attempts can leave us at the mercy of some of the hazards you mention !!
ReplyDeleteOur neighbour, Mme André, used to be very scathing about our other neighbour who regularly used to pee in the grate in the middle of the road. He was only occasionally seen doing it but the olfactory evidence was always there, especially in long rain-free spells. Very unpleasant, and rather offensive considering the number of people who would have to experience his "water saving" on the walk to and from the château. The poor man is no longer with us but the fragance of the hill has improved no end - we can now smell the flowers instead.
Yes, well... Some take water saving to the extreme.
Deleteperverts
ReplyDeleteThe men here at the Compound go "behind the fence" when visiting us. The first time my grandson was allowed to do that, he thought he was breaking the law, which he would be if he were to do it in the city where he lives. It is called "indecent exposure." Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Unfortunately, here in the states, peeing outside is (at best) frowned upon....and could even lead to an indecent exposure charge.
ReplyDeleteAmericans are CRAZY. It must be nice to live in a sensible country!
As long as it's not in the pool . . .
ReplyDeleteAh, the country life and living free.
ReplyDeleteThis is where I really envy blokes.
ReplyDeleteMy brother kept a vintage jeep outside our barn for years. When I saw him out of the barn, behind the jeep, the stance differentiated a pee from a smoke.
ReplyDeletewho knew peeing could be so patriotic?
ReplyDeleteIn the past urine was highly valued, saved and collected for the northern textile industry. They couldn't get enough of it and it was even shipped up from London!
ReplyDeleteHimself pees on the compost heap in the corner of our garden, for which I am grateful - every little helps!
And the award for the best blog title of 2012 goes to Cro!! Inspired!
ReplyDeleteEver read that book "Yellow River" by I.P. Freely?......Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI bet the women don't know where to look
ReplyDelete