Evening Classes (Cours du Soir) (Cours du Soir)

EVENING CLASSES

We'll discuss that example at the end of class today.

Gentlemen...

page 80.

Again?

Lesson 12.

On this page we find

"observation."

What does observation mean to you?

Observation is...

seeing what's going on.

Well...

What about you?

Observation is what allows us

to discover the nature of certain personalities.

Very good. That's one definition.

This discovery allows us to spotlight the behaviour

of each and every individual.

Various types of behaviour, correct?

The first example today will be the case

of the smoker.

First, the businessman.

The sophisticated woman.

Generally, the sophisticated woman doesn't smoke.

Her cigarette just floats around the room.

On the other hand, with the democratic smoker,

the thumb intervenes.

You'll note that the other fingers do not remain inactive.

To this third demonstration we'll add this familiar gesture.

This common habit can constitute a serious faux pas in an official meeting.

Third paragraph:

The beginner.

You think it's funny.

Would you demonstrate the beginner for me?

And you?

And you?

Come now. You're not being observant at all.

One would think you've smoked your whole life.

I asked for the beginner.

Watch.

It's very easy. Anyway, practise that at home.

A very interesting and unique case

is found in paragraph five: The functional cigarette.

This is mostly used by intellectuals,

artists and surgeons.

It doesn't get in their way. It's just there.

They don't worry about it, or ashtrays either.

You'll notice

that the smoke, as it rises, often gets in the eyes.

One eye closes.

Is he reflecting? Inventing? Who knows?

Sometimes, when half-smoked,

it's left dangling from the lip.

Completely forgotten.

It serves no purpose.

Only the mind remains active.

The cigarette becomes useless.

Okay, you've grasped that. Let's move on.

Let's take a look at paragraph eight:

The first cigarette of the morning.

It's both the best...

and the worst.

The others will prove much easier.

The last paragraph - excuse me -

leads us quite naturally

to the smoker who's given up smoking.

Example:

"A cigarette, my friend?"

"No, thanks. I don't smoke anymore."

Let's move on...

to page 82, where we find sports.

First paragraph: Tennis.

If you'd follow me.

The first challenge for the tennis player

is to find his assigned court.

A wall is indispensable for warming up beforehand.

This sport is played

with a racquet and balls.

Before serving,

he tests the quality of the ball.

The first ball not having made it over the net,

he tests the quality of the second ball.

The slightest error on the player's part is blamed on the racquet.

A few special moves will allow for the errors

committed by this piece of equipment to rectify themselves.

Gentlemen, you've observed the habits of a champion.

Now let's examine the challenges facing a beginner.

Per the rules of the game, his first concern

is to find the line designated for serving.

One of the difficulties encountered in tennis

is the ball-to-racquet contact.

Hesitation is a sure sign of the beginner.

The lack of reflex response often translates into anger.

Once the court is sighted, these flaws are forgotten,

and the player prepares to face his opponent.

Gentlemen, if you'll kindly take your seats,

you'll find on page 88, paragraph two,

line fishing.

What does this very relaxing sport mean to you?

- Tranquility. - Good. What about you?

Relaxation.

Fine. And you?

Peace and quiet.

And you?

Fish.

- What? - Fish.

Not always.

Gentlemen, let's have a look at technique.

Listen up, please.

You'll find on page 90 - I repeat, page 90 -

in the paragraph regarding postal and telegraph services,

the practical and physical training of the postman.

SCHOOL FOR POSTMEN

Gentlemen...

on my command.

Attention!

Mount your cycles.

One, two...

Prepare for right turn... right!

Good. Left turn... left!

Very good.

You're riding at normal speed for a letter.

Attention, gentlemen.

Telegram!

Breathe normally.

A vehicle passes you on the right.

Good.

On the left.