Poisson d'avril

They do it every year, and it still doesn't get old to me: the French celebrate April Fool's Day with fishes (the poisson d'avril). Why? Turns out the origins of the tradition aren't very clear. (See my 2010 post for more details on possible origins.) Nonetheless, every year boulangeries stock up on fish-shaped products and I just shake my head, and of course whip out my camera.

For the French, fish-shaped pastries are the way to do April Fool's.

I assume this is one of those things that French people do without thinking twice about it. April 1? Let's go tape a paper fish on someone's back and then snack on some fish-shaped chocolates and pastries, of course, because that's just what you do. Personally, moments like this remind me why I love being a foreigner: actually being able to see the crazy that slips past unnoticed when you're in your home culture.