Merry Christmas, Boules, Fanny and Holidays!

Ah yes, it's that time of the year again. Merry Christmas to you all. For those of you living in the northern hemisphere: stay warm, dress well and keep that beret on top of your head. For those of you who, like me, are about to enjoy the summer holidays: be careful of all that UV radition on your head - cover up well!

The last "real" post of the year; while on holidays you are treated on a daily, but excellent beret shot (only). I'll be back by the middle of next month. Enjoy!

KissingFanny (Embrasser Fanny) is to lose a game of boules (bowls) with a score of 13 to 0.  The loser or losing team then has to kiss the bare backside of a dummy Fanny.

The Fanny was represented in tabular form, in pottery or sculpture.

It was both a reward and an embarrassment for the losing team but still a good laugh for the audience. "Kissing Fanny is the frightening image of defeat, the horrible evidence that you’re beaten. And not only beaten, but beaten miserably, total humiliation by losing 13-0! ".

Tradition dictates that the practice started in Dauphiné where Fanny was a waitress in a café,shortly before the First World War. It was the town mayor who inaugurated the practice, but postcards before that time already shows Fanny and her postère offered. 

Some say it originated in Lyon, in the district of Croix-Rousse in 1870. Players of Clos Jouve had a 20 years old girl as a spectator with a big heart. She consoled the unfortunate player showing her buttocks (but did not agree to have them kissed).

More? Visit the Musee de la boule.

See you all mid-January - have a lovely holiday (and Long Live The Beret!)!