France, like most countries, has its own particular brand of sexism. The title ‘La Directrice’ seems to encapsulate this. When the boss is a woman her attributes of leadership are somehow feared or used as the butt of jokes. Often both.
My first encounter with la directrice was in the person of a certain Madame Guillaume in Lyon. She bore the rather lofty title of ‘Directrice d’école maternelle’ or headmistress of the preschool where I had come to register my son turn my baby over to the wolves. For someone who made a career of educating the under-fives, she had nothing short of a military bearing as she gazed at me through her pince-nez. “What do the children call you?” I asked, as we were leaving. She raised an eyebrow to indicate mild surprise at this question, then replied: “Madame Guillaume, ou Maîtresse.”
I nodded dumbly while thinking that two-and-a-half was awfully young for a boy to have a Madame or a Mistress.
My second run-in with the authority of la directrice was when I entered the working world. Like many non-native speakers, teaching English was my default career choice upon arriving in France with few employment credentials able to ensure my continued professional growth keep the wolf from the door. The head of the Berlitz language school in the business sector of Lyon was a certain Madame Bissuel who looked a bit like the photographer Annie Leibowitz. To be fair, I was foisted upon her through a job transfer from the school in Paris but she made it very clear that she was not particularly happy about having me on board. Her unhappiness turned to outright dislike when I announced my precipitous departure on maternity leave a few months later. I took a weird delight in writing my letter of resignation after my benefits ran out; spellcheck kept changing her name to ‘bisexuelle’.
My most intimate encounter with a female head of state was in the person of my late Belle-mère. For reasons that eluded me, my father-in-law always referred to her affectionately as la directrice. This struck me as especially funny as my mother-in-law never seemed to be centre stage; it was always Beau-père who did everything. But as I later learned, theirs was rather like the authority at the highest level of French office. As Jacques Chirac once explained of his relationship with his then-finance minister, a certain Sarkozy, “Je décide, il exécute.”
Somehow I grew into the role of directrice in our family. This was not by any particular choice on my part, although I have been accused at various times in my life of being a bossy boots, that is, of knowing my mind, having strong opinions and not being afraid to voice them. But someone has to be in charge and as no other candidates stepped up to the plate, it fell upon my shoulders to lead our pack. Unlike my mother-in-law, who ruled from behind the scenes with a velvet hammer, the only way I seem to be able to do this is through a more frontal approach.
“Mom, the recycling is full!”
“Someone’s at the door!”
“Where’s the wrapping paper? Do we have any gift tags?”
“Whose turn is it to walk the dogs?”
Never fear, I say, la directrice is here. “Take it out! Can you get that? It’s all gone, you’ll have to buy some! Yours!”
I rule our roost with snap decisions and clearly iterated instructions backed by foot stamping and a voice that carries. It’s not always pretty but it gets things done. What can I say? Like my hero, Tina Fey, some are born to lead.
Oh, and by the way, you can call me Madame la directrice.
FranceSays 
Oui, Madame la directrice. 🙂 Bonnes fetes.
Merci! May yours be magical!
I too am the directrice of the household although I’m trying to loosen the grip and pass this role on to my husband who recently retired and has the time to direct. Still, the children come to me first and I say “Ask your dad.” Some things are hard to change! Happy directing!
Oh, dear, good luck with that! Still, never too late to start delegating. Happy retirement to the new director!
Well, that’s a nicer title than the one I can see ceratin folk would like to attribute to me on occasion.
But, honestly, sometimes you just have to take charge or chaso will ensue.
Joyeux Noel and keep ’em on their toes, it’s good for them…..,
Said like a fellow directrice! 😉 Merry Christmas!
What was it said you about Dave as a child. Not speaking or something cause you did it for him? Foreshadowing perhaps?
Ha, ha….I was waiting for someone to bring that up. I believe Dave was a shy and retiring type who let his sister do all the talking for him. He’s made up for lost time since then! 😛
I resemble that remark!
Letting me do all the talking again?
bonne fetes madame le directrice … I SO want to meet Mme Bissuel just so I can call her Mme Bisexuelle – laugh? It’s still coming over me in uncontrollable waves!
Your mirth is my richest reward. Merci Osyth! 🙂
I can retire happy (to my bed for the night, not from anything else for the avoidance of doubt) – however, I am sure Mme Bisexuelle would have sacked me since I got my le’s and la’s wrong in the first sentence of my first comment – back of the class for me then 😉
Oh the fun of the spellcheck
Maybe if I had checked my last comment it would have made sense
have a very merry Christmas
LOL. I put it down to a pre-Christmas apéro (I am down a bottle already!) 🙂
Racy admission! I am just about to sip a Muscadet myself, then a cheeky little red is breathing in the kitchen………………..
Merry Christmas to you and your family…don’t be too “bossy” during the holidays!
Thanks, Suzanne, I’ll do my best. Wishing you and Pierre a very Merry Christmas in balmy Montreal!
Oui Madame, I wouldn’t dream of arguing though how you can decide it’s my turn to walk the dog I’m not sure.
Happy Christmas to you and the family Mel, thanks for a wonderful 2015.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thank you, dear David, and I wouldn’t dream of inflicting the dog on you. I do wish everybody over here were as respectful of my authority! Happiest of Christmases to you and yours, Monsieur, and looking forward to reading all about it. Bises xo
Happy Christmas, Mme la Directrice:)
Merci chef! May yours be full of good things, Roger.
Oh hey, if it works … ! Merry Christmas Madame la directrice. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts this year. X
Why thank you! I’ve enjoyed your wanderings and look forward to more in the new year!
I like it, and if the chaussure fits! 🙂 Happy new year!
I love your sense of humour and Tina Fey: she rules and rocks! 🙂