Recently in the category :
typical france

k&k episode 490 - the one where they wonder why movie titles are translated from English... to English... and stuff...

In episode 490 we ask PH a question that has been on the lips of every anglophone who has ever seen a movie poster: why are English movie titles sometimes renamed into English? (instead of into French, which would be logical...!) He tells us all about the historical precedents for renaming things, we discuss what shows are popular here in France, then we get very distracted by swag.

k&k episode 489 - the one where they wonder if it's ok to stray in France... and stuff...

In episode 489 we chat with Frog about whether the French are natural seducers (and we give lots of examples), and we debate whether or not it's socially acceptable to have affairs in France.

k&k episode 487 - the one where they wonder whether the French like learning languages... and stuff...

In episode 487 we chat with Frog about the subject of advertising on major monuments and whether the French have a propensity for language learning. We wonder whether the French consider learning languages as important and if this has changed over the years, and consider the impact the French style of teaching has on the ability or desire to learn.

k&k episode 483 - the one where they discuss stereotypical food experiences... and stuff...

In episode 483 we discuss the need to taste stereotypical foods in different places around the world, what uncommon things we recommend people taste in France, and we describe some recent adventures we've had with listeners in Paris!

k&k episode 482 - the one where they talk about Christmas excitement & making people try unusual things... and stuff...

In episode 482 we get very excited about the arrival of the Christmas season and discuss what Katia's parents should eat when they're in France.

k&k episode 464 - the one where they talk about provence and scorpions... and stuff...

We're thrilled to have Frog in the studio with us for episode 464, and we continue talking about what we did over the summer - visiting Châteauneuf-du-Pape, lots of wine tasting, staying in a gay-friendly b&b, spending quality time with Ann and Chris, encountering scorpions, cooking, swimming, ice-cream making, dining with Kristin & Jean-Marc Espinasse, visiting the Ab Fab castle, and stereotypes of Provence.

k&k episode 463b - the one where they learn all about chilli farming in France... and stuff...

In episode 463b we're thrilled to present an interview (in French) we did in the Pays Basque with Ramuntxo, a piment d'Espelette farmer, the owner of the Atelier du Piment! If you don't speak French, skip ahead to our summary of the interview in English. You'll learn more than you ever thought you could possibly know about the famous piment d'Espelette, the chilli that comes from the town of Espelette! And we make lots of mistakes in French. Please forgive us. We've still got lots to learn!

k&k episode 463 - the one where they discuss the pays basque, pottoks and pintxos... and stuff...

In episode 463 we talk about our trip to the pays Basque using a homemade guide book, then we discuss the pottok (or pottokaks), language, accents, regional pride, a trip to San Sebastièn, tapas eating (also known as pintxos) and eurogaming.

k&k episode 462 - the one where they talk about tgvs and guide books... and stuff

We're full of summer holiday happiness in episode 462 and get to talking about some of the adventures we had during the holidays - visiting Frog's parents, taking the tgv and the usefulness of guidebooks.

k&k episode 461 - the one where they talk about real life in the French countryside... and stuff...

In episode 461 we are pleased to bring you an episode we recorded with Amy Plum, author of Die for Me, a few months ago. We talk about the stereotypes of French men, then have a very frank and fascinating discussion about what it was like for her to move to France - the circumstances surrounding the move and how she feels about life in the French countryside.

k&k episode 456 - the one where they talk about what to do with the parental figures... and stuff...

In episode 456 we discuss visiting haunted houses, parental visits, what to do with people who have visited Paris multiple times, Paris Plage and boats!

This episode was brought to you by the word "un chocolat chaud" (hot chocolate).

k&k episode 455 - the one where they talk about a different type of travaux castor... and stuff...

In episode 455 Katia describes a visit to the beauty salon and we discuss cultural differences in personal grooming habits. We also talk about linguistic differences, wifebeaters and plans for the summer holidays. WARNING: this episode may be slightly inappropriate for younger ears and we discuss some subjects that are NSFW (particularly the wikipedia page we discussed on the show).

k&k episode 449 - the one where they get girly, talking about hats and sales... and stuff...

In episode 449 Katia recounts the happy ending to the Hatastrophy, we talk about the "sales" in France, the laws behind them and the appeal (or lack thereof) of the giant Parisian department stores.

This episode was brought to you by the word "un grand magasin" (department store).

k&k episode 444 - the one where they find out about fountains... and fish... and stuff...

In episode 444 we continue talking to Axel (of Paris Urban Adventures and the new non-profit fundraising project Adventures 4 Action) about our adventures at Versailles - there is lots more fountain talk and fish stories, discussion about mythology behind the fountains, ancient restoration techniques, special exhibitions and public reactions to modern art shows, exhibition trends, and chronological questions!

k&k episode 443 - the one where they gallivant around Versailles... and stuff...

It's been a while, so we're excited to welcome Axel to the studio for episode 443! We start off by chatting about what he and his lovely wife Michelle have been up to lately with Paris Urban Adventures and their new non-profit fundraising project, Adventurers 4 Action! We then talk about a particularly exciting excursion we did that day at Versailles with Axel, who is currently working there - we jumped queues, learned exciting insider secrets, watched some serious fountain action and learned how fountains work!

k&k episode 442 - the one where they continue delighting in French pastries... and stuff...

We continue chatting with Camille in episode 442 as we talk about our field trip to the pastry shop where she works - discovering how to enrobe chocolates, learning how Croquembouche are made, what baby pain au chocolats look like, pastry chef lingo and how to fit all those kitchens into a typical Parisian building! We discuss French techniques and what she learned when she started working here, and we ask her how to spot a good Pastry shop, and what to look for in a not-so-good one!

k&k episode 441 - the one where they discover the delights of French pastries... and stuff...

In episode 441 we're delighted to welcome the lovely Camille into the studio, who tells us all about the path that took her from Oregon to the Cordon Bleu, to cooking with Mexicans in Pasadena and plating desserts in a five star restaurant in Dallas, right through to finding a job in a traditional French pastry shop in Paris. We talk about the differences between a bakery and a pastry shop, and as we discuss the typical things one might find in a pastry shop we do a little taste test too!

k&k episode 440 - the one where they discuss PDA in Paris... and stuff...

In episode 440 we bring you a conversation we recorded a few months ago with Naughty Heather and Victoria the Pleasure Coach! We tackle the subject of s(ch)wag, shoes, Public Displays of Affection (or Arousal) in Paris, Sex Aptitude Tests, awkward moments in public, the importance of kissing and communicating what we want, affairs, being creative in a relationship, comfort zones and exploring yourself in a new city.

k&k episode 423 - the one where they discuss house-hunting, housewives and andouillette... and stuff...

We continue chatting with Ann Mah about the life of the diplomat's partner in episode 423, as we discuss what it's like to be constantly on the move, with a new post every few years. We talk about her current house-hunting project, which naturally brings us to the subject of the Real Housewives, then she gives us a glimpse into her current writing project, and we chat about andouillette and other weird and wonderful French dishes!

k&k episode 419 - the one where they get heated about Versailles... and stuff...

Ryan is still with us in the studio for episode 419, and the absolute chaos continues as he makes us try yet another Suze-based cocktail. This makes us question how much Ryan's friendship actually means to us, but we get over it quickly as Kylie tells us all about her Versailles history classes this semester! This leads to a very heated debate about one of the Versailles outbuildings being turned into a luxury hotel.

k&k episode 412 - the one where they discuss hats and citizenship... and stuff...

We are feeling rather beautiful in episode 412 as we discuss our headgear, and Kylie tells us all about participating in the graduation ceremony at the Sorbonne, somehow we get onto the topic of Justin Beiber, then we discuss the details Katia's future application for French nationality.

k&k episode 406 - the one where they talk about christmas karaoke and vampire museums... and stuff...

We're rather excited to be recording our first show for 2011 in episode 406, and after chatting about galette, Kylie tells us all about what she did over the holiday season, including taking care of Symphony, celebrating Christmas with Frog's parents, hanging out with listener Variri, the musée de l'art forain and the musée des vampires!

k&k episode 402 - the one where they learn about giving wine personality... and stuff...

In episode 402 we're delighted to present a special episode we recorded with Olivier Magny in November, and we reminisce about a champagne cruise we did with O Château a couple of years ago. We ask him what makes him qualified to teach people about wine, we talk about where his love of wine comes from, and what makes the O Château wine tastings different from the rest. He tells us how they teach people about wine, and the tricks behind identifying and appreciating different wines and some of the special events they organise. We chat about the new digs for O Château, & he tells us about the concept behind his new wine bar, what he really thinks about Beaujolais Nouveau and reveals some of his favourite wines today.

k&k episode 396 - the one where they talk about names and the snowpocalypse... and stuff...

It's pure k&k in episode 396 as we discuss given names, middle names and nicknames, then spend a great deal of time talking about the recent record snowfall in Paris and why Paris is so ill equipped to deal with snow, and the various consequences it had on various things around town, and finally Katia then talks about a snow-related dilemma she may have to deal with this week.

k&k episode 392 - the one where they talk about the dangers behind blowing up balloons... and stuff...

In episode 392 we introduce you all to the charming Ryan, and we talk about the highly dramatic injury he sustained in the name of k&k. He tells us where he comes from in England, and we chat about the language assistantship program which brought him to France, and get into a lengthy discussion about the French education system and whether the various school systems we have experienced encourage creativity in activities like art and music. We reminisce about some off-air adventures we've had with Ryan, and then he tells us a rather hilarious story about Kylie and a noise problem!

k&k episode 390 - the one where they discuss french gastronomy and unesco... and stuff...

We get rather excited in episode 390 as we talk about all the recent guests we've had on the show and the guests to come, then we what about the fascinating topic of French gastronomy, the recent addition of the "gastronomic meal of the French" to the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the differences between our native cultures and the French culture of eating (how the meal is eaten and the purposes behind the meal), then we chat about other entries on the Unesco list in France and around the world.

k&k episode 389 - the one where they continue the Great Suze-Off... and stuff...

With our brave companions Olivier Magny and David Lebovitz, we continue our taste-testing experiments in episode 389! This time around, we honour the traditional French digéstif, discussing the pros and cons of many famous drinks, and we chat about a wide variety of things such as table manners, the most unusual things we've ever drunk and what we really prefer to drink. Inevitably, chaos reigns.

k&k episode 388 - the one where they do the Great Suze-Off... and stuff...

We're pleased to announce the Great Suze-Off 2010 in episode 388, accompanied in our taste-testing adventures by the dynamic Olivier Magny and David Lebovitz! In this episode we taste a vast quantity of interesting (and not-so-interesting) typical French apéritifs and discuss the various features of each one, and we chat about everything to do with chinking glasses, the ever-so-trendy world of apéro snacks and drinking myths.

k&k episode 387 - the one where they talk about more stuff Parisians like... and stuff...

We continue chatting to Olivier Magny (of Ô Chateau, Stuff Parisians Like, and tDessine-moi un Parisien) in episode 387, where we talk about why the blog and the book are so funny, then he tells us where the name of the book comes from and he kindly draws a Parisian for us. We then talk about what Parisians actually like, New York, hamburger eating and the love/hate relationship between France and America, whether Parisians identify themselves as Parisian before they identify as being French, and whether it's possible for outsiders to become Parisian, which leads to Olivier sharing some very interesting theories about why foreigners are attracted to Paris.

k&k episode 386 - the one where they talk about stuff Parisians like... and stuff...

We're pleased to welcome Olivier Magny, founder of the wine tasting company Ô Chateau and the blog Stuff Parisians Like, and the subsequent French book Dessine-moi un Parisien, in the studio for episode 386! After he reveals the secret behind his awesome English, he talks to us about the ginormous success of Stuff Parisians Like and how the book got published, then we talk about the inspiration behind the blog, the idiosyncrasies of the typical Parisian, whether he's guilty of doing any of the things he pokes fun at, public urination, French humour and whether the French can laugh at themselves, then he tells us an extremely interesting theory about the French psyche and French pride.

k&k episode 381 - the one where they talk about beer, salted butter caramel and jinxing... and stuff...

We get into an enthusiastic discussion about beer in episode 381, which leads to some interesting suggestions for some future k&k Get Cultured adventures, Katia makes an apology, then talks about her recent trip to Nantes and the region of the Pays de la Loire, including the discovery of caramel au beurre salé and the usual mushroom dramas. Then we talk at great length about the childhood games like "jinx" and "punch buggy" and their equivalents in Australia, the US and France, as well as unusual customs in different countries, then Katia reveals some strange Australian childhood customs.

k&k episode 375 - the one where they talk comedy and comité de la claque... and stuff...

We're delighted to welcome PH of Comité de la Claque and Green Paradise into the studio for episode 375! We talk about his career as a professional comedian and writer, as well as what is coming up for Comité de la Claque, and talk at length about the differences between French humour and other types of comedy around the world.

k&k episode 372 - the one where they talk about absinthe and trying to find non-boring things to do... and stuff...

In episode 372 Kylie tells us about a recent and rather exciting absinthe-drinking adventure, we chat about the journée du patrimoine (heritage day) and how difficult it has been for us to find something interesting to do, Katia talks about living a more "French experience" since her move, then we chat about French Masterchef!

k&k episode 339 - the one where they learn more about mysterious murders in Paris... and stuff...

We continue our chat with Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc murder mystery series in episode 339! We find out how she knows so much about French culture and current events and we discuss the inspiration for the various interesting characters in her novels - from Aimée Leduc, the typical Parisian woman with an American edge, to Réné, her vertically challenged partner, and finally to the multi-faceted role of Paris as a character.

k&k episode 338 - the one where they learn about mysterious murders in Paris... and stuff...

In episode 338, we have the pleasure of meeting Cara Black, the fascinating author of the Aimée Leduc detective series, from Murder in the Marais to her most recent book, Murder in the Palais Royal. We chat about why she chose to base her series in Paris, how she does her research into the various quartiers of Paris and all the different subjects covered in each book, and she even reveals some of the secrets and stories behind the books!

k&k episode 319 - the one where they discuss food and the art of bribery with David Lebovitz... and stuff...

We're rather excited to have David Lebovitz (author of many books including the Sweet Life in Paris, The Perfect Scoop, and the upcoming Ready for Dessert) in the k&k boudoir for episode 319. Whilst we eat cupcakes (thank goodness for the Wet Ones), we talk about a wide variety of things, including jelly wrestling (or aspic fighting), getting stuff done in France with food-related bribery, the "francophile phenomenon" and why so many people are enamoured with France, administration woes, how to drink Suze, Korean pancakes, and what effect chefs like Julia Child had on the perception of French food and whether the French can handle "change".

k&k episode 316 - the one where they talk about saying goodbye... and stuff...

After a highly emotional beginning, we get reflective in episode 316 as we have a long chat about how we have recently said goodbye to some good friends who have left Paris for new and exciting adventures, and the dilemma of being an expat in a city with a high turnover. Kylie then tells us about a recent massage she had, Katia gives an arm update, and we finish the episode with a spider story.

k&k episode 304 UNPLUGGED - the one where they contemplate cadeaux and coal... and stuff...

We're still excited about the holiday season in episode 304, and get to chatting about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries, eating coal, tags on Christmas presents and visiting (or not) private castles.

k&k episode 303 UNPLUGGED - the one where they eat and drink their way through Christmas... and stuff...

We're in the country for episode 303, as we talk about what we've done for Christmas, and get tremendously excited about what we've eaten (foie gras, chapon and bûche, just to name a few) and what we've drank (including red wine from Bordeaux, pink Champagne, cognac and old man's jam).

k&k episode 302 - the one where they get excited about christmas... and stuff...

We're in the holiday mode in episode 302, and we get to talking about Christmas - the price of trees, decorations, Christmas windows in the department stores, Christmas markets and ferris wheels and our plans for the holidays. We then chat about cannelé and world monopoly, then Kylie tells us about her French movie discovery of the week (être et avoir).

k&k episode 301 - the one where they rant about raclette and rogue icebergs... and stuff...

In episode 301 we get to talking about how much fun we had in the previous episode, the power of twitter, postcards, the joy of raclette and riesling, the excitement of episode 333, strikes and train dramas, snow and carbon footprints.

k&k episode 290 - the one where they talk about eating mushrooms... or not... and stuff...

In episode 290, Katia gets very excited as she recounts a tale of gastronomy, fancy-pants-ness and a celebration of mushrooms. Add in a few prickles and a bit of hospital drama, and you've got a somewhat interesting episode.

This episode was brought to you by the word "la gastronomie" (gastronomy).

k&k episode 285 - the one where they eat lollies for half the show... and stuff...

We spend the first half of episode 285 eating lollies and talking about meeting up with listeners, postcards and presents (including milk duds and moist towelettes), and Katia talks about spending a week in Mulhouse (which involved strange dialects, mushrooms, sauerkraut, pigs feet, much wine and learning new learn french expressions).

This episode was brought to you by the phrase "pieds de cochon" (pigs feet).

k&k episode 278 - the one where they discover the limits of PUI... and stuff...

The sillyness continues with Frog in episode 278, as we put out a call for a sponsor for moist towelettes for the k&k boudoir, we open an amazing gift sent to us by some very talented listeners (the wonderful designers at Ragehaus), chat about Spotify, and then we talk about pee-ers, rockers and people asking questions. And there's something about Philadelphia.

k&k episode 276 - the one where they talk about dates and kissing... or not... and stuff...

It's a descent into pure chaos in episode 276 - we talk about alternative meanings of the word "date" and naughtyness in the live chat, la rentrée, post office revolutions, the french kissing ban, k&k alternative greetings, meeting up with listeners, bachelorette bidding and some exciting voicemails.

k&k episode 259 - the one where they talk about medical dramas, porn cups and compliments... and stuff...

In episode 259 we ham it up as we chat about pinheads, lights, lentils (and how katia and kyliemac saves lives), what to do with x-rays, weird weather and indian tours of Paris, the ultimate lame-o beach (Paris Plage), porno cup adventures, French KFC and how to take a compliment.

k&k episode 255 - the one where they talk about bikinis, speedos and comme elle est chaude... and stuff...

Things are heating up in episode 255, as we recount our travels across the French countryside with the delicious Frog (and the Muffin Man), visiting some very special people and recording in "our" fancy new country studio. With much excitement, we talk about traffic jams on long weekends, how to entertain yourself during long car rides, turkish toilets, families, bikinis, speedos, pool temperatures, names and national holidays.

k&k episode 246 - the one where they talk about wasp attacks and whether spiders jump... and stuff...

In episode 246 we discuss chaotic Symphony moments in the Not Coffee table Studio and we reveal what happens after we record, then we chat about Obama being in France for the D-Day ceremonies, frozen sushi, meeting up with listeners for drinks, wasp attacks, fake shutters, what firemen in France do with wasps, Pierre's experience with spiders in Australia, whether lobsters scream and the French obsession with good jam.

k&k episode 244 - the one where they learn about an alternative method of hair removal... and stuff...

Episode 244 is an episode of pure chaos, as we discuss a myriad of truly random things : what Frog was wearing, the Cannes film festival, the stagnancy of the Mediterranean sea and tidal behaviour, dramatic jellyfish encounters in France, hairballs and unusual yoga positions. We open some very exciting boxes that were sent to us from Intern Noonan, we chat for a while about American candy, and then we talk about having a spontaneous picnic under the Eiffel tower (including pee-stops, operatic arias and encounters with the police!).

k&k episode 237 UNPLUGGED - the one where they go to chenonceau... and stuff...

Hang on to your hats, kids, it's time for episode 237 UNPLUGGED!! We're on the road in the Loire Valley, and with the exciting new concept of k&k UNPLUGGED, you'll feel like you're right there with us! As we drive, you'll hear us talk about previous (mis)adventures in the region, you'll walk with us through Chenonceau, then you'll sit with us in our gîte as we discuss what we thought of the castle.

k&k episode 230 - the one where they talk a bit more about their mini-break in Normandy... and stuff...

We're still in Normandy in episode 230, and accompanied by Kathryn we continue to talk about out adventures in the country, including visiting markets, taste-testing local products (such as cider, pommeau and calvados), spotting local wildlife and more... But we digress quite a bit too on subjects such as school hours and driveways.

k&k episode 229 - the one where they talk about their mini-break in Normandy... and stuff...

We take the show on the road in episode 229 and tell you all about our spontaneous mini-break in Normandy. From our "country house" and with the lovely Kathryn by our side we talk about last-minute holiday planning, gîtes, travelling around France and more!

k&k episode 218 - the one where they talk about Paris getting bigger... and stuff...

With our mouths full of Tim Tams we get into a heated discussion in episode 218 about the definition of Paris and its suburbs and plans to change this definition, led by the ever-provocative Frog with a Blog. We talk a little about the way the economic crisis is affecting Paris and get excited about Nouvelle Star.

k&k episode 172 - the one where they talk about cognac tasting and raclettes... and stuff...

We're still telling stories about our visit with the Muffin Mans parents in episode 172: Katia tells an old family tale about cognac, Kylie gets excited about discovering the wine cellar, then we discuss what we learned about wine, mountains, cheese and strawberry shortcakes and the joys of eating raclette.

k&k episode 154 - the one where they celebrate the music... and stuff...

We've got Kathryn in the Coffee Table Studio for episode 154, where we talk about annual fête de la musique (the festival of music). Kathryn literally had it outside her window, Kylie celebrated in style with classical and country music, and Katia tells all about going to the country for her French theatrical debut with Frog with a Blog and all the adventures that accompanied their trip. Kathryn then tells us all the details about her second Integration Day (including heated debates and fish and rice).

k&k episode 146 - the one where they talk about living space... and stuff...

Kyliemac is busy working on her thesis which is due very shortly, so here is a little something we prepared earlier - episode 146 features the sultry tones of Kathryn, and together we talk about all sorts of things to do with living space in France - apartment hunting, layout and size (and we confuse each other greatly with the differences between feet and metres!), and we talk about the differences in housing expectations across the world.

k&k episode 126 - the one where they talk about presents and pacsing... and stuff...

As promised, the lovely Vivi is hanging out with us for episode 126, where we talk about some of the specialties from her region (such as bouchon, andouillettes and cheese), she tells us a story about her train ride to Paris, then we spend quite a bit of time talking about a listener that recently got PACsed, what you have to do when you get married here, some our experiences getting a carte de sejour or a residency card, and how to prove you're "integrated".

k&k episode 112 - the one where they talk about neighbourly manners... and stuff...

Vivi is with us again in episode 112, fuelled by m&ms.

k&k episode 111 - the one where they learn the alphabet... and stuff...

With everyone's favourite Vivi back in the coffee table studio, we start off episode 111 with an impromptu sing-a-long!

k&k episode 103 - the one where they talk about t-shirt ideas... and stuff...

It is our pleasure to finally announce the winner of the t-shirt competition, but you'll have to listen to episode 103 to find out which one it is!

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Next one : Saturday 15 January
Time : TBA

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k&k episode 491
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