De l'esbroufe

[NormanH]

This expression was new to me when one of my friends used it today about the new (and ugly) bus stop just installed opposite the Mairie

http://www.midilibre.fr/2013/09/18/un-abribus-surprenant-sur-la-place-du-forum,758648.php

Apparently the expression implies something like 'humbug' 'bluff',  a loud way of distracting people...

[5-element]

Norman, it reminds me of the expression "tape-à-l'oeil", (bling-bling) - something destined to impress and show off.

[Chancer]

I thought that tape a l'oeil was used to describe a looker, stunner etc, not bling bling.

Bling bling now exists in the French language thanks to the ex president!!

[NormanH]

What we might call 'all show'...or more vulgarly 'all fur coat and no knickers' [:D]

[suein56]

[quote user="NormanH"]... about the new (and ugly) bus stop just installed opposite the Mairie

[/quote]

The new bus shelter is certainly going to take some getting used to, surrounded as it is by established, well-proportioned buildings.

The shelter looks as though it is leaning forward, almost ready to fall apart. Is that called built-in obsolescence ?

Sue

[NormanH]

I fear it is a symbol of the present state of the town.....

[Judith]

[quote user="NormanH"]I fear it is a symbol of the present state of the town.....

[/quote]

That might, unfortunately be true.  I've never really liked Beziers .... always seems a bit seedy and down at heel, even around the hotel de ville where some of the  buildiings are quite elegant, I do agree.

As for the structure itself, it looks like the next strong wind will blow it down.  By no stretch of the imagination can it be called an elegant solution, and we've all seen plenty of elegant bus shelters in France.  I wonder how long before it gets the inevitable graffiti, which at least would make it look a bit better and brighter!!