Monday, February 20, 2012

Snail Hat or the Hat of Diplomacy

I majored in Anthropology and hope someday to put my training to use and write something insightful about French culture. Well, I'll work on that. In the meantime, I'll share this observation.

The French are not rude.

I was told with great earnestness that the French can be downright bellicose towards English-speakers. But I find that even when I (almost inevitably) fall into English, people are courteous and even warm.

Now I'm going to do something that's very "in" in Social Science, and explain why this observation can't be trusted as a general rule.  My grounds for lacking objectivity are quite tangible and boil down to this:




I walk around town with this person strapped to my chest.  Not only is it a baby, but it's a baby in a snail hat. Un petit escargot tres mignon!  Just try to be rude to someone wearing a baby in snail hat. I dare you!  Even cool and indifferent becomes a challenge when faced with a drooly smile and two pompoms.

It may just be that I'm a nursing mom high on oxytosin, but I think the baby-in-hat thing could bring about a new kind of diplomacy. International negotiations could begin with a presentation of representative infants wearing the cutest head gear their countries could devise. The attending politicians would have to greet the babies and say "isn't that adorable" before talks commenced.  It would have the salutatory effect of a.) putting everyone in a positive frame of mind, and b.) reminding officials of their duty to the next generation. Think about it...

The hat, by the way, was my second knitting project ever.  ("Aha," you say, "a crafting post cleverly disguised as cultural commentary!")  It actually was meant to be a hat for Maria, to go with the knitted collar I made her, but I misjudged the number of stitches and it turned out more Loulou-sized.  It's the simplest hat possible--you just need to know how to knit, purl, and make pompoms.  You can find directions here.

Truth be told, I got awfully impatient while making it and it came out too small even for Louisa. It wouldn't fit over her ears. Then my mom came to the rescue and crocheted the headband and the little ear flaps. A knitter I am not.

So if any of you real knitters know of a good beginner beginner project that I could move on to (maybe something a little more interesting) I'd love to hear about it. If it can further international relations, that would be a plus.

10 comments:

  1. Hat of Diplomacy... I think you're on to something Julia!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an adorable hat! I love it. And I've very much been enjoying your updates from abroad, Julia. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You make me laugh, Julia. :) the adorability transfers through digital media too; good if diplomats take to Skype.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the hat! And I can totally attest to the power of carrying around something adorable to break down barriers. My tiny little puppy Teddy, who was a Valentines present, has been going with me just about everywhere, and I can't even begin to describe how smitten people are just to see him. Instantly softens even the most tense situations and lightens up the most somber rooms. Now I know why there is a whole field called Pet Therapy for the depressed and critically ill. It works!!! :-)

    Always great to read your updates. Hope all is well with you and your beautiful family!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww... Congratulations to adding a furry friend to your family! I hope the transition is going smoothly!

      Delete
  5. Julia, You have such a fun and beautiful way with words. I love your vivid descriptions as well as Baby Lulu's fabulously disarming head gear!
    Miss you all and can't wait to meet the Lovely Lulu!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love your blogposts. I am a knitter too--though I can say I am an advanced beginner. I'll e-mail you some simple knitting projects or hand them off to you in June.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for reading! I'd appreciate the patterns. I actually haven't made anything from a pattern yet.

      Delete
  6. I LOVE the hat! And you are knitting. I have some crocheted things to send you for the girls! I want to come to Paris and craft and eat with you!

    ReplyDelete