I have a French friend, my age, originally from Aix-en-Provence. He’s a hell of a nice guy, and progressive in a general way. In a French way. He takes his male superiority for granted in a traditional manner that strikes me as an American quite uncomfortably.

I’m sure he wouldn’t publicly berate his wife like that, because he nurtures a certain inner sense of gravitas that would stop him.

But when it comes to gender equality, he’s eons behind most people I know in the US or Quebec. His wife is a poet and professor of fine arts, and she just shrugs and tells me that he’s a good man, loves her very much, and that all she can do is understand that he’s a product of his culture.

I find that admirable of her, but discouraging at the same time.