early doors

Up early to leave Marseille and get back to the Les Pilles metropolis. I wanted to have lots of time to get stuff organised for the party tomorrow night. The drive went smoothly and I met Carrie for a quick coffee in Vaison after I'd done my shopping.

Got back to the house and was cleaning, tidying and sorting all afternoon. By the time Pierre arrived, I was spent. I showed him the cake and he loved it. Couldn't wait to show his family.

One of the things I've noticed about living here is the backwardness in terms of political correctness. I hate even using the phrase "politically correct" when all I really want to say is "just don't be a dick". That's all it's about really...just try not to be an offensive arsehole. Be kind to those around you, speak considerately and take your time before you open your mouth.

Those people that say things like "well, soon we'll not be able to say anything at all!" drive me crazy. The fact is, you can say 99.9% of the things you'd like to say, any time you want; just don't say that 0.1% of offensive rubbish that you spout to your bantery friends.

Anyway, it's becoming increasingly frustrating for me to listen to the homophobic, racist, misogynistic crap that's on mainstream radio here, that's laughed at amongst friends, that's brushed off by those around me.

I'm getting tired of walking away, seeming like the outsider, the weirdo, the one with no sense of humour because I don't find a joke about disabled people funny.

Why am I the weird one? Why is it me that's having to explain myself? Why am I the outsider?

It's hard to fight what's seeming like a losing battle, but hopefully things will start to change here in France as they're doing slowly but surely at home. I know the same attitudes exist in the UK too, don't get me wrong, but at least there's a move towards change...there's the No More Page 3 group, the everyday sexism project, and countless other campaigns against racism, homophobia etc. You only have to go on twitter to see the support being drummed up to end victimisation, to stamp out trolling, and to make everyone that little bit kinder.

Oh, and for those who say "just don't take it personally" when it comes to jokes about women - as my friend Luce says, how else am I supposed to take it?