Landor’s new office space will be located in Washington D.C., the “sister city” to Paris, France. Washington D.C. and Paris are very similar in their architectural layout. French artist-architect Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant planned and designed the layout of Washington D.C.. L’Enfant’s original plans for the building of D.C. are distinctly similar to the landscape architecture that he was influenced by in Paris. Both D.C. and Paris were constructed in patterns of radiating streets that are filled and joined by gridiron avenues. Because of the urban area, both cities are filled with many shops, homes, public transportation, and trademark buildings that can easily be reached on foot or by bike. Furthermore, being able to walk or bike ride in Paris is one aspect that promotes wellness. Eating rituals, vacationing, and other customs performed by the Parisians also promote wellness in their lives.
 |
| Jardin de Luxembourg |
Paris is occupied by several astonishing parks; some of the parks are Jardin de Luxembourg, Tuileries, and Le Cimetière du Père-Lachaise. Locals and visitors often take leisurely walks, bike ride, or simply relax in the green lounge chairs provided in the parks. Also, for children-fun you can rent toy sail boats to play with in the ponds. The urban area of Paris and it’s parks encourages exercise. Walking and biking are two great forms of exercise which increases the well-being of the people. Also, relaxing helps people break away from their busy schedules and collect their thoughts, increasing their health and fortune.
The French have very distinct eating rituals. Food is a major role in France’s social life. Wine and cheese are the country’s sources of national pride. Moreover, meals are filled with social and cultural meaning. The French have three meals a day just like Americans do. However, the way they conduct their meals is different from the way Americans do. Breakfast is typically a light meal consisting of a pastry, yogurt, and coffee or hot chocolate. Their next meal is usually the biggest one of the day. The midday meal consists of several courses. Generally, a family’s meal starts with a soup, followed by vegetables and a meat dish, and then a salad, cheese, and dessert. Also, wine is commonly served at meals, and children begin to drink wine in their early teens.
 |
| Typical French Breakfast |
Next, workers in Paris are allowed 30 paid vacation days. During this time many families get away to the south to spend time at the beach or vacation in other areas. As opposed to the American culture, it is in the Parisian’s norm to have an entire month off and enjoy every day of it. Many people in America are very wrapped up in technology and making large amounts of money, which are known as workaholics. Taking time off work decreases stress levels and allows people to focus on other aspects of their lives.
Much of the ambiance in Paris is owed to the thousands of cafes. There are not many places where you can find a cafe on every street corner. The cafes are filled with local Parisians who order their morning coffee or pastry or afternoon snack. You can typically discover that the outdoor seating is facing the street for persons who choose to people watch or enjoy the busy streets. In addition, cafes are great meeting places for friends and family to gather and enjoy each others company. Cafes do indeed encourage life-balance and the well-being of the Parisians.
Although Paris promotes wellness in many areas, there is one area that confuses me: cigarettes. Many people in Paris are relaxed, happy, and healthy, but how? In America smoking is frowned upon and is said to be one of the main causes of death. However, Parisians have a longer life span than Americans do. Do cigarettes relax Parisians? Do they believe it increases their lifespan? Because of the immense addiction, if they tried to quit smoking it would most likely create stress and agitation. In general, cigarettes are horrible for a persons wellness, but in the Parisians lifestyle and culture it may be good for their well-being.
Resources:
No comments:
Post a Comment