August 22, 2006
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Civisme ou cynisme ?
Citizenship or cynicism ?
English version below the pictures
Je marchais le long d 'un quai au bord d ' un canal quelque part en France . Soudainement je vis un panneau inhabituel ( 1ère photo ) . Je l ' ai trouvé amusant . Quel citoyen permettrait à son chien de faire cela sur le quai . C ' est dégoûtant ! Vous pouvez glisser dessus et tomber dans le canal !
Cependant 4 mètres plus loin je trouvais la " chose " ( 2ème photo ) . Ainsi quelqu ' un avait permis à son chien de faire ses besoins là . Je l ' imagine tenant la laisse en attendant que cela se termine . Et cet homme ( ou femme ) n ' avait pas enlevé la chose avec un sac en plastique pour la jeter dans une corbeille ou une poubelle comme tout bon citoyen ! Ou bien il n ' avait pas vu le panneau et dans ce cas il était aveugle mais de toute façon il ne respectait pas autrui , ou bien il ( elle ) avait vu le panneau et dans ce cas il n ' obéissait pas aux règles établies démocratiquement par la municipalité . Est - ce cela un esprit de bonne citoyenneté ?
Mieux , peut être avait - il vu le panneau et volontairement par dérision il se réjouissait e voir son chien faire son " affaire " à cet endroit . Dans ce cas c ' est du pur cynisme !
Et qu 'en est - il de moi ? Peut - être qu ' après " ces profondes réflexions " j ' aurais du ramasser la chose avec un morceau de papier et la jeter dans le canal ! L ' ai - he fait ? Non . Aisi , finalement je n ' ai pas assez de respect pour les autres , je ne suis pas suffisamment bon citoyen et voire un peu cynique ? Horreur ! Je me sens un peu coupable !
Nul n ' est totalement innocent .
PHOTO 1 taken by Michel Fauquet June 06 ( click to enlarge )
PHOTO 2 : the thing La chose Taken by Michel Fauquet June 06
Click to enlarge
I was walking on a promenade at the side of a canal somewhere in France . Suddenly I saw this unusual sign ( first picture above ) . I found it funny . What citizen would allow his dog to do this on the promenade ? It ' s degusting and also dangerous ! You may slip on it and fall in the canal !
However 4 meters further I found the " thing " ( picture 2 above ) . " Horribile visu " ! So someone had allowed his dog to do his needs there . I imagined him holding the leash in waiting for the end . And this man ( or woman) did not pick up this thing with a plastic bag to put it in a litter or a bin like all good citizen ! Whether he didnt see the sign and in this case he ( she ) is blind but anyway there is no respect for the others , whether he ( she ) saw the sign and in this case he didn' t obey to the municipal democratic rule . Is that a good citizenship spirit ?
And more perhaps he saw the sign and voluntarily to mock it he enjoyed to see his dog makes his affair at this place . In this case it is pure cynicism .
And what about me . Perhaps after those " deep reflections " I had to pick the thing with a bit of paper to throw it in the canal ! Did I do it ? No . So finally I have no enough respect of others , I am not enough a good citizen and I am a bit cynic by the way ! Horror ! I feel guilty .
No one is totaly innocent .
NB : cynicism ( cynique ) comes from ancient Greek word : kunikos = chien ( in French ) = dog ( in English )
Comments (94)
ça me reppelles des signes aux voisinages de Paris qui encouragent les habitants à ramasser...
mike
I also would have had a hard time cleaning up after someone else's dog.
I could use that sign to put in front of my yard.....some people let their dogs do that on my lawn.
It IS disgusting.
I guess things are the same the world over. People having no respect or care for others. It has truly become a "ME" world----very self-centered. Do you think that it starts with parents' permissiveness?? I do. Whatever the child wants or wants to do is OK. So no wonder they grow up thinking the laws do not pertain to themselves! I am perhaps picking on the younger people, but the more "mature" people can be just as bad, too.
We have a city law that says if you walk your dog, and it does it's "thing", you must pick it up and dispose of it. And most people walking their dogs carry plastic bags for just that purpose. But, how often we walk down the street and see "things" in the grass right along the walkway!
Too bad the rest of the world cannot be as "perfect" as we are, right Michel?? (That is a joke, you know!)
that is my biggest pet peeve....people that have no respect for other people and the property!.......but..........I would not have picked that up either!!!! LOL..so don't feel guilty Michel! but that sign is so funny...I don't think we have them in America....I have never seen it before!
Take care and God bless you Michel...and Janine too!((HUGS))
We too have the problem on our front lawn. People seem to not take responsibility for their animals when they are on other peoples property
I too have a hard time cleaning up after another's animal. Knight gets quite angry when they go on our lawn. 
Have a good week 
Well Michel, some people think that it is okay that their doggie poops where ever it would like. We have a lot of poop inour yard and gardens and my husband cleans it up. He gets mad about it. One time he saw the person and the dog and confronted him. He asked the man to clean up after his dog. The man was very defensive. I think if I had a dog I would not let it use other property for a toilet. It would be embarassing to riun other property.
We have some signs like that in our neighborhood... I will take a photo one day. we also have boxes of bags and trashcans in our community so the dog owners have no excuse but they still do not clean up.
Here in the US we are told not to put dog poop in the sewer drain or in the water as it will pollute the water which will require more cleaning chemicals. We need to put the dog poop in the trashcan. So it is good that you did not clean it up.
Some humans are so naughty and immature. When Blizzie and I go for a walk here we see poop on the side walk
as well!!!
I hope you are having a wonderful August in France. Here it is not too hot but we are in the house. Today my hubby will teach Blizzie's two friends (jenny and sharon) how to use their iBook (macintosh) computers for college and make sure they know how to solve computer problems.
and maybe do some sewing.
I think I will go to the store and buy some fruit
I have not been working in my gardens this year for fear of getting more poison ivy oil on my skin.... maybe I should spray the entire garden with vinegar...hmmmm
love to you and Janine
~Rosemary
c'est le cynicisme moderne.
Oh and I did click to enlarge....
eeeeeeeewwwwwwww
Also, your NB at the end... reminded me of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
I always pick up the crap that comes out of my dogs behind. (I would type that in French but I suck in French) ...how about Latin? Anyways, when I go out I have a stash of plastic bags that we put our sandwiches in. In goes my hand in the bag (like a glove) and I pick up the poop. I even have a nice swing type garbage tin to put the crap in. Our neighbor used to do that all the time leaving his crapola on my grass. The man is old, but he isn't blind. He's just lazy. The other dog I had problems with, they didn't abide by the condo's rules... dog got kicked out. Poor dog, nice dog, crappy owners.
Je prends toujours la merde qui sort de mes chiens derrièreHow was that?
I understand! I get so irritated when people don't look after their animals! I'm always out there with my pooper scooper when I walk my dog!
I understand you but selfishness is part of human nature. Something which political idealists often forget.
Je vous comprends mais égoïsme suis partie de nature humaine. Quelque chose qu'idéalistes politiques oublient souvent.
Reminds me of an old funny.......
"looks like shit........... smells like shit........... tastes like shit...........................glad I didn't step in it"
We have laws here about that, and hefty fines, too! There is ALOT of dogs here, and most everyone cleans up after theirs. I have even been thanked by homeowners for cleaning up! Yes, I probably would have cleaned up some other dogs mess. I'm sick like that! hehe...
Hope all is well, and just keep smiling. God Bless
CLICK HERE
this is a terrific post. i am afraid that i would not have picked "the thing" up either. but i am pretty sure that we wont go to hell for that, michel!
We all have our own "issues" don't we. Nobody is perfect. Have a great day.
Tim
I agree with what you said.. we could all do more to be respectful of private and public property.. Dogs obviously aren't going to do it themselves.
That is a very amusing sign though.. well, its probably bc I am young and find amusement in little things..
Good Day,
Ren
*amused*
We don't have signs like that here-well not yet ! There are special bins for dog waste which owners use ( putting it in plastic bags first though ) I couldn't have cleaned up after someone else's dog so I'm as bad a citizen as you
TG I don't know where the two cats go to relieve themselves- not in my garden I know 
So probably a neighbour is ranting about the messy cats around here....... I won't own up if I hear anything. 
Marie
The picture of the second sign isn't showing, but I can relate anyway. Sad that we even need signs, you would think that people would have more sense than to do the things they do.
Blech!
I could not pick up someone else's dog mess either, it is gross.
Well, my computer wouldn't bump up the pictures, but your description of what happened made a clear picture in my mind's eye. EW. i have a neighbor that lets her dogs run free to do their duty whereever. Those are definately irresponcible pet owners. I had to scoop up a very large pile of that yesterday while mowing to keep from flinging it all over the yard. EW again.
Quand j'étais en France, j'ai vu les "choses" des chiens sur la rue très souvent! Peut-être il n'y a pas des panneaux comme ça dans Besançon, hehe.
I have a dog that started out as a "Lab-mix" and really ended up being a NEWFOUNDLAND!!!!!! I pick up lots and lots of his "business" and I am taking volunteers so step right up, don't be shy!!! lol Have a great day.
Oh ho! You did a play on words. Interesting, I didn't know the origin of that word. Well, I don't think it was really your responsibility. What's on the street belongs to the city municipality. What do you say?
That just shows how they do not have respect for fellow humans! We have fines also for people who do not clean up after their doggy.
I dont know of very many people who would pick it up. So we are all guilty of not being good citizens. I wish more people thought like you do. I will try to think more of others too. Your post has been inspirational in making me think.
i've always hated people who throw their trash anywhere. i used to pick them up. but now, i'm kinda like a cynic too. it makes me feel sad thinking about this.
nice. i have had the delimma soemtimes as well. i chicken out always, so it is quite normal. wish you a great day!
J'adore les deux photos...et peut-être la première plus que la deuxième, car tu ne trouveras jamais un tel panneau ici aux Etats-Unis. Trop drôle! Ah, j'adore ton blog!
Bisous,
euphorie
We don't have those signs here, but we do have signs that say, "no dogs allowed here", "keep your dog on the leash" etc. People should know to take with them on a walk with their dog a bag to pick up their dog's "business". I do, as it's not fair to others and it's filthy to leave dog droppings on pathways, parks etc for others to step in. I've seen dog droppings just left there by people walking their dogs, and have accidently stepped in some, too! There are fines here if people get caught not picking up their dog droppings, but it's a matter of catching these people.
Things are getting better here now many dog owners have "pooh scuppers "
There has been alot of information here about what harm it can do to children playing in grass etc.
Yup, people do not think of others I used to live on a small park and people brought their dogs there often to run around and do their business it got so you could not go there because of the dog poop. I did clean it up many times but it was unending so could not do that alone. Others boy scouts and groups clean the park all the time but they would not have to if the person who owned the dog would take responsibility. Judi
Hi Michel: We have that problem here most dog owners have their dog's on a leash and clean up all pooh donations however we still have too many owners who allow their dog's freedom to roam and that is where the pooh donations never get cleaned up. I carry plastic bag's, pooper scooper with me it's not hard to clean up the mess.
In this town I live in they don't use a lease or contract as you call it. Most all business owners do but not in this town they just rent month to month so Erbie & Martha have no lease. If they did the new owners would have to buy from them the remainder of their lease in being fair they have told Martha they will send in a moving crew to pack and move their stuff at no charge to them. However I do have a lease....when I moved into apartment one I didn't have a lease however after 3 years I told them I was thinking about moving....then Brenda moved from apartment two and I decided to take her apartment, Judy who handles the rentals remember my saying I was thinking about moving so she wrote up a year's lease told me she would do this every year to make sure I don't move....awww how sweet to be so wanted
But I am happy in this apartment and have no desire to move. 
Shirley
ha that was quite a decision u had to make!
some people should not be allowed to have dogs if they need be responsible enough.
This was one of my earliest impressions of French city life--that people would just let their dogs leave their "petite cadeaux" on the walkways. It's my strongest memory of Rheims, as there were "cadeaux" EVERYWHERE! I managed to avoid most of them, until just as I was approaching the bus to depart. I didn't even know I stepped in it until I was on the bus and seated. And then the aroma (stench!) made it's way to my nose. Oh no!!!!!!!! So off the bus to find something to remove the offense.
Leaving one's dog poo in pedestrian walkways is not only lazy, it is rude and selfish. Definitely bad citizens. For you to not pick it up, un petit faux pas. Très petit.
I wouldn't be able to because it would make me sick and I would wretch. That would be worse than the poo.
I don't own a dog for the one reason I do not want to pick up after it, be my own yard or another place. Nor would I toss it in the canal and contaminate the water way. In fact I wouldn't pick it up at all. Horrid I know.
I thtink people w/dogs should clean up after the dogs themselves (speaking as one who has owned dogs and cleaned up after them, I do not speak from any higher or lower ground whatsoever) - it's just common courtesy.
Regarding your comment: I guess I could be considered somewhat of an artist as I like working w/graphics and have been known to do some sketching, and have worked with kids as a mentor, so there is a little bit of a teacher in me. Gardening, well, haven't killed any plants, and can usually tell a weed from a plant, but mom is the real gardener in the family.
Yeah, that's common in the U.S. They have a lot of signs about picking up after your dog. I thought that in France they allowed this, though. I heard that dogs go everywhere with their masters. Usually, in the U.S. dogs stay at home.
My dog stays in my yard, so I don't have to worry about him messing somewhere else. When I take him with me other places, I keep the plastic baggies handy. I think it's my duty to clean up after him. But I wouldn't be able to clean up after someone elses dog.
what an unusual blog topic for you, Michel~!
we dont have a dog, so I don't have to worry about cleaning up after him. the cats make enough 'mess' outside.
have a great day.
~janny
Too close to mealtime to comment on this one, Michel!!!
Love
Edie Rose
Personne ne recueille les déchets des chiens autrui... ça serait trop facile pour les propriétaires de chiens paresseux ou indifférents (les propriétaires, pas les chiens)! Ils doivent s'assumer ses propres responsabilités, et j'espère qu'ils vont avoir une bonne amende un jour ou l'autre.
Je crois que tu ne dois pas te sentir coupable, mais tu as bien fait que de dénoncer ça.
Ciao, amitiés à toi.
Yuck!!!! I am glad you didn't pick it up, Michel!! What a dastardly act! I is like a person who wipes their hand across there runny nose then shakes your hand. Who wants someone's gook???
You are quite versatile, Michel, in that you can be serious and so laughable at the same time!!
I think I am going to be back on Xanga commenting again....I have been too busy lately! Thanks so much for coming over and commenting on my site.
Eeesh! No need to click and enlarge that photo! I hate to find the stuff on my sidewalk or yard.
RYC: That was me being cute and mysterious (or possibly lame!) but not revealing the name of the actual university. "Big 10" refers to a group of schools that compete against each other.
The dog follows where the master leads, correct? Different entry for you, Michel.
I am still in the "caregiving" business. Heart is a little bent and busted, but I will get over it. Much love to you!
It is a lack of responsibility on the other's part. I confess to not cleaning up after my nephew's dog (who I walk) a couple times. I agree it is disgusting to clean up someone else's poop.
Merci Michel, I appreciate the words of wisdom.
I hope you are well.
Merci, Michel, pour ton comment! RYC: "Imagine ta belle maison couverte de bouse de vaches !!! " --- Je prefer le jardin des legumes couverte de bouse de vaches! Ils faites pour les grand legumes!!!
There are many towns in the U.S. named "London." Most of the time we add "New" to the beginning:
New London
New Hampshire
New York
New Jersey
New Brunswick
etc.
I remember reading in an Awake magazine several years ago about the trouble with dog stuff in Paris,. That article also mentioned how unhealthy it is to get that stuff on your shoes then track it into the house. It causes a disease in humans that isn't pleasant. I think that is one reason why we don't have dogs. I don't want people talking about me like I talk about them.
Those that let there dogs just doo anywhere and just walk on are to be pitied, but I wouldn't want to associate with them either.
I admire this one fella that takes his dogs for walks in the park not far from here. He has a bag and scoop with him.
RYC: Two Rivers is in Wisconsin. We are right on Lake Michigan, about 90 miles north of Milwaukee. We are the little knuckle at the bottom of the "thumb".
Speedy says sorry, but he can't read signs or see colors.
He says that human shit smells worse then dog 's shit.
Of course there should be trees and dog's w.c on the streets.
Speedy said that with a indertone of cynism.
Amitié
Carlo
All this new science is very interesting and I love reading about what they are finding but you are right the source word is God. Judi
Ick. I can hardly stand it when my own dog poops on the path in our yard! Normally he has "respect" and goes in the grass but every once in a while, he leaves a pile right on the walkway. I get mad and then I realize that he's a dog and I don't know what his reasons are for changing his spot. In any case, it has to be cleaned up.
I do wish that people would be more respectful in picking up after their dogs. I wonder if it could have been stray dog(s) that did it on the promenade? Then it would be no person's fault!
Hugs,
Lisa
Aren't we all cynics at heart, sometimes? It's disgusting that a supposed responsible pet-owner would do such a thing! Thank you for your kind thoughts, Michel!
On a walk in a nearby park we ran onto a deposit that was obviously human, needed a king-size super-dooper-pooper-scooper for that.
Guess the guilty parties are the ones who won't even flush after themselves.
RYC
Thanks Michel, introspection often shows me the connection to realities.
In friendship
ouacala!
I've taken to bring along little bags with me in my purse, so that Speedy doesn't leave something for a human to trod in. Of course, if dogs could read, we wouldn't have this problem.
I find it even deeper when the neighbors take their dogs off the side walks, hit the side street and let their large bull mastiffs lay down a load in the flower bed in your mailbox..leave and as you call them on it, they cop an attitude and will do nothing...of course, this leads to a pile being thrown directly onto their front door and a nice letter inviting them over for something far less than tea and pleasantries.....I have been guilty of letting my dog go in the grass next to a common sidewalk and not pick it up..but I would not leave it in the sidewalk nor in someone's yard...
regardless of the nation...human kind has lost the coding of consideration pretty much and in more social countries like France, Germany, Spain...I do remember the sentiment of the people being more in line with "would I want this done to me?"...that too has erroded quite a bit.
If I had the money, I would buy a garbage can mounted on a 4x4 pole, line it with a very thick bag and have a sign that says..more or less "PUT DOG SHIT HERE"...there would still be a pile at the base of that garbage can..you could bet sure money on it...
John M
It appears a majority of your readers agree that this is the ultimate in lack of consideration for others. Whatever the reason, even carrying a broom to sweep into the canal might have been exceptable under certain circumstances, but I would think that the sign also means that they don't want dog poop in the canal. Therefore, walk the dog somewhere else. (If we clean up the "mess" of others, does that encourage them to continue making the mess...thinking someone else will clean it up?)
Hello Michel: I myself find those homes on my blog very pretty not my style for me a cabin in the woods or a beach house on the beach would be ideal as I grow in spirit when near water or mother nature or both. However I don't envy those who have far too much nor do I weep for those who have too little, it's a balance within this world made by man kind. God has blessed many of His children with riches as can be read in the Bible and God took away riches from His children there is a very valuable lesson to be found there. It's not what you have but what you do with it to honor God. The blog was a game.
Shirley
Glad you like the poetry and the paintings. I do work hard get real tired sometimes just have to quit and rest. Love to you and your wife, Judi
LOL the picture on the sign is funny!! I do agree that people should pick up after their animals but I don't blame you for not picking someone elses mess up. I don't think I could have brought myself to do it either!
Actually, the sign is for the dogs. They're supposed to notice and pay attention to the rules.
That is an interesting sign!!!! I don't think I've ever seen anything close to it here. But it's understood that people are supposed to pick up their dog poo. And no one does!!
A lot of people around here let their dogs go in their neighbor's yard and that gets some big arguements going!
Hope you guys are doing something fun this weekend.
And watch where you step!
P.S. I wouldn't have picked it up either. That doesn't make you a bad citizen! It'd make me sick to my stomach to pick that up. So better to leave to have poo and barf.
Yeah, that's what one of the girls in my class said. She was trying to say "I'm tired" and said "I'm tiger..."
I'd better watch out!
I love these pictures; you have such a wonderful sense of humor!
I have posted pictures from my day (I am only at Day 2...I am so slow at posting!) at the Dachau memorial, but they are, naturally, very somber. They have a great deal of meaning for me.
No, I don't think you are a bad citizen. It's not your job to pick it up and it's not very sanitary for you to do so if you aren't prepared. It might be different if it was something like a plastic or paper drink cup. I have to pick up after my dog at home sometimes when she doesn't make it outside and I really don't like it. I agree with you..... I wouln't like picking up after another dog. Have a good weekend. Blessings, kc
lol...tu sais vraiment que ca vient du chien?
Hi, Michael!
So many dogs, and so much of that going on here. Hey! I am an artist...maybe I should paint me up a couple of signs like that for all dog owners to see. Lol!
Thanks for stopping in and for the nice comments. I am feeling much better. I worked outside all day today.
I hope all is well. Take care.
~Kim~
thank-you very much for your last comment, I forgot to mention when I read it, but it made me feel very hopeful and glad.
This post is funny, and I also wonder the perpetrator's motives! haha.
Thank you my friend!!
I have put up a couple of the graphics I have done up - sketches to come laterr
Yvonne
Oui, tu as bien compris. Je serai à Paris ce samedi...jusqu'à l'été prochain. Viens me rendre visite si jamais tu seras à Paris.
Bonne semaine!
tiffany
im going to college soon.. in about 5 days.
maybe ill study abroad and come to france
if i do, u better tell me all the awesome places to go!
Hi, Michel. My children are 6-year-old twins. I don't work for NASA; I do things for the news media and they are following the Space Shuttle launch (or delay due to the hurricane). Yes, there's a lot of variety in my work!
Thanks michel!! My exam is where I'm gonna review all my 7 subjects that I'm going to study..
It will be my final and if I get a high grades I wouldn't be on the summer.. If I fail I will be on the summer to get the subject again.. 
C'est terrible, n'est pas? hehehe
How wonderful you are traveling the places I would like to visit. Rich in history. I believe Jeanne d'Arc visited Avignon.
Thank you for sharing all this.
Hastings used to be a lot worse for this but it still isn't as clean as one would wish.
ryc: I've never been to Leeds castle as I don't drive and it's very awkward to get to by public transport, it does look beautiful though. Are you planning a trip over to England?
Nothing ruins a nice walk like dog poop can :S
You are too funny.....this is a sad affair that is all too often a common occurance.
Take care,
Karen
i heard that france has doggie poop everywhere! But when I visited they cleaned up Paris so nicely cause it was the Tour de France. Lucky me. Heh
Oh, Michel, I shall pray for your farmers. We are truly learning this year about how important it is to have the right weather for your crops. God has blessed us richly this season...and I shall pray for blessings for your lovely country as well.
Take care, dear friend.
Karen
Unfortunately this seems to be a problem everywhere. I have seen people walk their dog to a neighbor's lawn and let the dog go to the bathroom there. Then the owner just walks away leaving the mess. When I walk my dog, I always take plastic bags with me. I do not want such things on my lawn or sidewalk. I do not want to walk where these deposits have been made, so I do my best to not make things unpleasant for others.
I am fine, just very busy. I will try to post soon.
As ever, Carol Suzanne
Thanks for sending me the link to that Xanga page! The pictures were amazing. I think if I were to see a castle in person I'd pass out right there at the doorstep!!!
Hope you and Janine are having a wonderful start to your week!
Much love to you both,
Livia
c'est étrange que cela arrive si souvent ... hélas ...
à Marseille j'ai vu souvent un couple de médecins laisser ouvertement leurs chiens faire leurs besoins dans le parc public jouxtant l'école où ils envoyaient leurs enfants ...
n'ai pas compris leur inconscience ......
à Genève actuellement a lieu une vive polémique sur le sujet du port de la muselière obligatoire ...
plusieurs accidents ont eu lieu ces derniers temps d'enfants défigurés, voire tués par des molosses ...
rien n'est simple ...
amitiés et bonne semaine
Working a lot this week and the week just started and I am tired. So will just say hi, Judi
hehehe
i wouldn't have picked it up either!!
even if the man/woman didn't see the sign, they still should pick up after their pets!! nobody likes accidentally stepping in dog poop
that's really neat about the origin of the word cynic!! thanks for sharing with us
That is a picture that anyone of any nationality to understand...YES,
We are very careful. We have on rare occasions come across people who are not so considerate. Dogs must do their "thing". The campgrounds retained the right to remove people who did not clean up after their dogs.
I'd have to say something to the dog owner if I witnessed them walking away and leaving it on the pavement.
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