The Art of Strolling
Mark K June 9th, 2007
The French actually have a name for the art of strolling – they call it flanerie and the person who strolls is a flaneur. The idea of flanerie is to stroll or wander with the intention of being curious about and open to all that you encounter, but without having any particular goal. It’s hard to find an adequate English translation for flanerie – loitering is one possiblity – but in this country we post signs warning that this is a potentially criminal activity!
In his book The Flaneur, Edmund White states the opinion that Americans are particularly ill-suited to be flaneurs, because we are so driven towards self-improvement. So, I’m left with a bit of a quandry – is it possible to work at being a better flaneur?
- on writing , slowing down , wandering
- Comments(1)
Hi Mark,
I’m just back from a bit too much wandering for one spring and so I’ve just now made it over to see what you are up to, and wow, I love the sound of this workshop! How did it turn out?
I have to argue with you on English and flanerie, if I get what the French mean by Flanerie. I love the word “meander” (and the activity!) and well, wander, of course, is priceless, ramble, linger, mosey, lol, traipse.. (can you tell I collect these puppies?) I like stroll, too. I have a British colleague here in Salamanca who routinely complains that the SPanish “amble” up the street, which it my great pleasure they (we) do. Very difficult to walk quickly through Salamanca at paseo hour…I wish I could have strolled round Marin County in your workshop.
Good to see what you’re up to here! Hope all is well!
Erin (wandering woman)