Grade: Maternelle
School: Saint Michelle
Persons: Lunch Lady, Antoine
Lunch ladies… the providers of sustenance! The following is a warning for all of those who take it for granted…
Meals in France are different than in America. Astronomically different! In France, a 3-course meal with dessert was normal. All of the food was fresh and of high quality. Cooked every day with the utmost care! In America, you get a plastic tray with all of your favorite processed foods along with chocolate milk in a plastic bag. Night and day.
Now one thing France also had that America, fortunately, didn’t have, were tough lunch ladies. French schools in the 90s weren’t as progressive as their American counterpart. Physical punishment was still very much allowed… and often! Personally, I agree more with this approach, but that is for another discussion.
In this memory, my friend Antoine and I were quite reluctant to eat our vegetables. What kid isn’t! In this dining hall, the lunch ladies served many children! The whole school it seemed… at the same time! So of course, we think we’ll get away with it. The plan of action… place our peas underneath the plate and press down. Not too hard though because otherwise, it’ll be a worse mess and worse punishment if caught. Lunchtime comes to an end… the kids begin to leave… and the lunch ladies begin their inspection. Immediately, Antoine and I are caught. We are full of ignorant bliss in the moment, and then quickly full of guilt and tears. We knew what would happen. Not only were we made to clean the dining area, we were also met with a french student’s worst nightmare… the ruler. Such is the price to pay for rebelliousness. Now, keep in mind that this is no ordinary ruler. Oh no… not like the flat ones in America. This ruler was a thick long block of wood. I can’t recall how many times the lunch lady wacked the top of our hands with it, but it was painful as expected.
Eventually, we were released and allowed to return to our classrooms. I am happy to say I have no memory of attempting this act again. You could say it was an effective form of punishment! I love peas now!
Ecole Maternelle Saint Michel Tuboeuf: https://www.google.com/search?q=ecole+maternelle+saint+michel+tuboeuf&source=lmns&bih=966&biw=1920&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1pYLrvdf8AhXXEGIAHaZMCkIQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA#lpg=cid:CgIgARICCAI%3D,ik:CAISFm0yVVNUQ2lLaUl6QmQ5bjRnV3VlTUE
The dining Hall is pictured below. It was in a separate building.
Jeremie Grandemange 