The Metro: “Normal”?

Even though I have not in the 7 months so far learned to full on “love” the Metro here in Paris--or public transport for that matter--I’ve come to at least appreciate the importance and fact that the Metro takes considerable part in Parisian culture and daily life. I also have to say that frequenting the rail-like animal (indeed depending on it) has given me different perspectives on a lot, as well as prime people watching. :)

The “Metro” consists of 14 main lines within just the city itself, a couple of shorter off-shoots ("bis" lines) and then the “RER” trains that run in both Paris central and the “banlieues”--the immediate area outside and surrounding Paris proper. Also, there are a few peripheral “trams” that have begun to spring up (which I like because they are above ground) and then some other banlieue trains that have letters that I haven’t figured out yet.... Anyway, all of this ends up looking something like this:



Then, across the Channel, London, England has it’s own counterpart to the Metro known as the “Tube”. (This might seem a random statement, but please bear with):



My point: I particularly enjoy the contrast between the two systems. I find that these two maps are prime examples of A) an Anglophone approach and way of thinking (the camp to which, come to realize, I most decidedly belong) vs. B) the Francophone approach and/or way of thinking. Or the other way around if you so wish. In sum: if Anglophones are a “grid” the Francophones are a “web”.

I find this fascinating. There has been so much about this culture that I has taken me by surprise and I’ve found myself “judging” it in a way, almost immediately. “That’s weird” I’ve thought, so often. It's painful to admit.

I remember saying once, it kind of popping out of my mouth (coming from who-knows-where) that there was “No such thing as 'weird' or 'normal'. Only ‘customary’ and ‘uncustomary’ according to what one is ‘accustomed’ to.” I said this and then thought about it for a long time! I really think this is true.

There have been so many times when I’ve experienced situations or happenings or interactions here across the pond after which I’ve struggled in my "Anglophone" or more precisely American mind to not write off as “weird”. Even though I think it will take a long time to erase the word from my vocabulary, I am beginning to wonder if the word “weird” isn’t often a slightly (or not so slightly) arrogant judgment call. To call something “weird” and i.e.“not normal” is so alarmingly subjective.

I look at these Metro maps and smile. Indeed, both are effective. I’ve experienced and used both of them. I know they both work, and well. In just about every way they behave according to the same principles and both accomplish the same thing--just through completely different approaches and each with their own particular nuances. Both approaches work, they're just different.

I love this these graphics because they put so succinctly something I’ve learned a lot about this year: if I think that something is “weird” it’s probably because it’s different than what I’m used to and outside of either 1) my comfort zone or 2) my realm of experience or 3) my cultural paradigms. I’ve also found that I learn so much more and appreciate my circumstances here and this deep run culture more if I stop and take the time to appreciate how the “weird” thing might just be “different” and “uncustomary” to me instead of just stopping at “weird”. And sometimes I find out I actually prefer the "weird" way. Interesting. :)

This is an approach I want to take home with me. It's not as easy as the former approach. I think it'll be a life-long journey integrating this mentality into life, but it's a good one, methinks. Indeed, the approach I’ll take with me, but I’ll be excited to see my car too. Me and the Metro are OK with each other now, but I love my Subaru. I’m looking forward to sleeping in the back of it out in the woods. :)