The usefulness of this blog

My blog statatistics tell me what some visitors have searched for before they arrived at my site, and they’re mostly on track with the content of this blog. The number one search every day is ‘how to pronounce French words’. I’ve discussed this, but there’s certainly no lessons coming from me, considering I’m still struggling to make the rolling ‘r’ sound!  So, for those visitors, try going to the Indo-European Languages free online tutorials.

Now that I’ve lost half my audience, let me carry on with some other search queries. Someone found my blog by searching for “haloumi cheese in france”. Haloumi cheese is stocked in Paris, apparently, although I don’t know how widely available it is. It is not available at any of the shops in the vicinity of Annecy, Thônes, Moutiers or Bonneville. Yes, I have searched.

Another one: “how is ‘goat’ spelt in French language”. It’s ‘chevre’ and that can also mean goats’ cheese. So, if you order a salade chevre chaud, which translates directly to ‘hot goat salad’, rest assured that it’s actually warmed goats’ cheese salad and not a hot goat.

Another one: “music in Annecy”. The live music scene in Annecy is often limited to Savoyard thigh-slapping bands with big horns and matching outfits, but Annecy does offer some more modern live music too. Head to La Brise Glace (French for ‘ice-breaker’) on almost any night of the week and you’ll get some sort of music act. It varies from death metal to open mic nights and despite its diminutive interior, has often drawn popular international and local acts.

Now, some odder ones. Someone arrived at Le Franco Phoney after searching the net for “guys pee pee”. Mate, off you go to find what you want somewhere else! Other searches include:

  • gay snowman
  • angry tractor
  • monster real life

Is this one person searching on several rather bizarre subjects? I’m afraid I can’t help this person/people or anyone who searches for these topics in the future. You’ve arrived at the wrong site. Is there a right site?

About

I'm a technical author, journalist and writer from Australia who has been living in Europe since 2000 and exploring the world from there. My passions are writing, snow sports and travel.

6 Comments on “The usefulness of this blog

  1. Funny entry! I get some weirdo traffic on my site, too. Yes, definitely “move along, nothing for you here”. Seriously.

    But the guy pee-pee thing?! Well I think we both know how that cyber-association was made! It was when you did the blog on my book reading at Off the Shelf, and they had that weird anti-pee-pee sign!!! I know, because when I Google myself now, I get linked to “How to pee in Switzerland”. Such an ego boost!!!!

    Blog on, Missy 🙂

  2. Yep, the guy pee-pee thing is YOUR responsibility, Francesca! “How to pee” and “pee stand up” are other common searches I’ve had! I also had a “Francesca Prescott” search a few times.

  3. So, let’s get this right, your blog is attracting people interested in “guy pee-pee” and hot goats.
    Could you post a blog to find out what makes someone think a goat is hot?
    …actually, maybe not.

  4. Hi,

    Now my site would have happily provided answers to “exploding snowman” or “pumpkin tractor” before the evil b5 killed theswitzerlandtraveler. BTW feel free to remove it from your links next time you’re updating the list 😉

    But no really weird stuff in my stats, even though I live in Switzerland, and know at what times in the day I’m supposed to sit/stand when I visit the bathroom…

  5. WTFH, I shudder at the thought…

    Geoff, I’m sorry to hear your blog is gone. Still, it leaves more spare time to get on with what you love best, which is obviously how to sit/stand on the toilet.

  6. Your mention of goats reminds me that where in English you might say “My computer is running like a dog”, the French would say “Mon ordinateur va comme une chèvre”. Kind of back to the food theme, really.