..Who Just Bought an iTouch
Every time I mention that I'm making a trip to the States (or David is going or my parents are coming) and jokingly ask my colleagues if they want anything, their eyes grow big and they give the same answer: an iPod!
I know that iPods are the MP3 player of choice back home, but I don't remember it being such an obsession. It seems that every Frenchman worth his weight in foie gras has an iPod, and lately, an iPod Touch. I have seen at least a dozen at work, usually in the hands of a very proud young man. They're peeking out of shirt pockets and being flashed around the coffee room, to the impressed oohs and ahhs of colleagues.
I have to hand it to Apple for turning this anti-American country into a pack of iPod-crazed nuts. The whole thing kind of amuses me, because personally, I don't get it. Ok, the iTouch is cool and I would definitely like to have one. But seriously, $400?
I see these guys at work who have these things, and wonder what they were thinking. For me, one of my priorities is saving money for a house. I've seen how much properties cost in France, (for example, an apartment 1/2 the size of ours in the middle of nowhere can cost 130,000 euros. I'll leave it to you to convert that to USD and recover from the shock), and I wonder how the average 2-income family can afford a place of their own. Especially considering I also I know how paltry the average French salary can be. And they're all climbing over each other to buy $400 phones. I don't care if it's also an MP3 player and the internet and makes you a cup of coffee at the same time, that's still a huge hunk of cash.
David reminds me that he bought a toy worth 100 iTouches, and I have to admit that he has a good point. It seems that cars aren't as important to the French, so maybe they just prefer to invest in phones/mp3 players/gadgets. Maybe I'm just jealous.
Héhéhé
ReplyDeleteI fought the iPod for 4 years, defending my MD against all MP3s. Then I gave in because of the WiFi function [large storage capacity being available in any MP3 player]. Being now contaminated, I can't say this iPod [and even more iPhone] frenzy is false. Ahah, I'm part of the masterplan.
Oh, and your last point is true [I personally don't give a crap about what I'm driving] especially in Paris, where « big car = small dickie » [Dave didn't bring the « big toy » along so he's not concerned]. The rest of the country, though, loves cars. But doesn't buy that many iPods.
You know what ? Since I've been living in Paris, I realize how much there are two Frances : Paris and the rest. Must be the same with New York, though.