Continuing on my theme of bodily functions (see the next post below), now I move to dogs. For those ready to complain about my seeming preoccupation with the scatalogical scene, I say gimme a break: nearly every other post has pretty, postcard-quality pictures from all over Europe. But now I offer a view or two of European life that you don't see in photo albums. A trip to the Darker Side, if you will.
Awhile ago I wrote about politeness being something of a rarity in this part of Europe. This applies to taking care of one's pet's "by-products" as well. In America it is rare to see someone walking Fido without a plastic shopping bag for canine kaka. Here in Waterloo you see this as often as no-pay toilets (see the following post). People let their dogs do their doo anywhere they like, without a single thought to picking up after the animal.
But, as my photos demonstrate, not every resident takes the presence of poo "in stride." While the little statue of the dog is direct and to the point, the words are more thorough, advising one and all (in two languages, no less) that the sidewalk is not a shitwalk (as Lucie will tell you, it sounds cuter and rhymes better in French).
Not wanting to sound immodest, but this is the kind of European cultural note you simply won't find in your Fodor's or Michelin guides. You're welcome!
No comments:
Post a Comment