NORMAL LIFE: Typical French Timing

This week has been a bit of a triple-whammy for Kylie (so far). First of all, she released her latest single, In My Arms, in the UK on Monday (download it cheap here). Then, on Monday afternoon, she was 'knighted' by the French) for her contribution to the arts in France and throughout the world. And yesterday, the petit singer started her European Tour, KylieX2008, with a show in Paris.

This is all fantastic for Kylie, but I have to question the timing of the French honour. Despite being dumped by a Frenchman when she needed him most, Kylie claims to have "fallen in love with France" the first time she visited the country and, told of the impending honour, claimed to have "colossal respect for the arts and people of France". We could do with more people like Kylie in government because her diplomacy skills are certainly top-notch.

But this award concerns me. It is common knowledge that, in July, Kylie will receive an OBE (Order of the British Empire) from the Queen. I don't know what that actually means, nor do I care, but if the Brits hadn't chosen to honour her, would the French have decide to bestow the title of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters on Kylie so hastily?

The French honouring of a popstar hailing from Australia is a sign of France's ever reducing sophistication. I mean, I thought the French with their hoighty-toighty I'm-so-classy attitude were a bit 'above' pop?

And in another Anglo-French twist, the French have now started importing English bread! Once the self-styled connoisseurs of the bread world, the French habe apparently become stifled by the traditional - and short lasting - style of French bread-making. What a come down, eh?