[lbo-talk] France wants stake in Russia gas giant

[Shane Mage]

>"On Wednesday, Sarkozy addressed Putin in the familiar "tu" form and
>called him "Dear Vladimir". The Russian leader though stuck to the more
>formal "vous" form and did not once use Sarkozy's first name in front of
>reporters."
>
>What the fuck is up with Western politicoes; they have completely lost
>their savois-faire. Calling someone "tu" is insulting and offensive.
>
>"Je dis "vous" a ma femme et "vous" a ma mere, et je m'appelle DeBoildieu."
>(Les Grandes Manoeuvres.... I think)

But "tu" is also the obligatory form of address between comrades. Perhaps
Sarko was surreptitiously reminding Puti of a shared KGB past?-:) Anyway,
Sarko seems to have forgotten that his education minister is trying to
make French kids give up tutoiment in favor of formal usage.

Shane Mage

  "Mortals immortals, immortals mortals,

  living their deaths, dying their lives"

Herakleitos of Ephesos, fr. 62