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Torching Cars. (Or a peculiar French National Sport).
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by Fripouille | February 9, 2009 at 09:17 am
371 views | 51 Recommendations | 28 comments
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Burning cars has become a favourite pastime among some young French people. They are undoubtedly the world champions in this discipline, but that’s not difficult when your country is pretty much the only competitor.
The last few years have seen a dramatic upsurge in the number of cars burnt in the street here, and last year, according to the French interior Ministry, almost 40 000 cars went up in smoke, a sad new record. Another record was reached on New Year’s Eve. 1147 cars were burnt, up by 30% compared with a year earlier. This would represent an annual proportional figure of 250 000 in the United States.
The rules? Well, to be a Burner, to have to be under 18 and have parents who do not insist that you be home before three in the morning. Coming from a poor area helps. You also are required not to like society as a whole.
The game is played in bands of 2, 3 or four kids, who go round the streets and parking lots late at night, armed with petrol in a bottle or zippo-type fluid. They proceed to smash the windows of several cars in one street, pour petrol into them, and set them alight. Then they run a few hundred yards down to the next street and do it again.
Participants are rarely caught (one for every 80 cars burned) and the police don’t even make that much effort to do so nowadays. This is because of incidents a few years ago when, after one or more of these kids was arrested red-handed and taken to the local lock-up, anonymous phone calls would flood in to warn the police that if they didn’t release the person(s) concerned, “You and the fire engines will be working all night”. And that’s what would happen, and so the Police soon began not to make too much of an effort to catch them. (I was told this by a policeman I know). There have even been instances of Police Stations being attacked by bands of youths in order to try and free their comrades by force.
The game is often played to celebrate national events. When Sarkozy was elected President, for example, 730 cars burned the same evening.
When this craze began, over ten years ago, it was splashed all over the press and TV, every day for months. But it was soon realised that the coverage only encouraged rival bands from different towns to score more hits and therefore get more airtime. So they simply stopped reporting on it.
The result is that, given that many of the cars burnt are in poorer areas, insurance rates have risen considerably for the (mostly poorer) people living there. The phenomena is also spreading to rural areas near towns and cities where, on the other hand, the authorities suspect insurance scams as much as they do the Burners.
And no-one seems capable of stopping it......Shhhhhh.....
(Anyone for badminton..?)
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (28)
at 12:54 on February 9th, 2009
Strange play activity.
Is there something like a World Cup for this?
Now Petanque, that is a good game.
at 13:02 on February 9th, 2009
Yeah I know! And the worst of it is is that these guys are the first to complain when they buy their first car...and find out just how expensive the damn insurance is lol!!
Petanque is a great sport! It's the only one that cannot be played well if you haven't been drinking!!
at 13:14 on February 9th, 2009
Is this a symptom of a deeper problem?
Well written story. I fear though it will start a craze in America.
at 13:28 on February 9th, 2009
I hope not Sara Star, and, you know what? I don't think it's gonna happen anytime soon.
I know some towns in the States where, if anyone was seen doing that, he's risk a bullet in the butt!!!lol!
Here though, people just close their eyes to it, and that's precisely why it happens..
France has exported a lot of beautiful cultural practices and customs all over the world.
Count this one out though. I mean have you ever been woken up during a summer's night by the smoke and smell of a burning car? Worse than my burnt pizza, believe me!!
at 13:38 on February 9th, 2009
Forgot the deeper problem bit.
It's only fair to say that this activity is favoured by poorer children of immigrant origins who live in some pretty poor areas, and there is obviously an understandable sentiment of social rejection in those areas.........
This subject could take up pages and pages. Don't tempt me lol!
at 13:16 on February 9th, 2009
Petanque... is that like Bocce?
at 13:35 on February 9th, 2009
Essentially yes. Bocce is played in Italy, but has very similar rules and scoring method.
A difference is that it is traditionally played on an oyster shell court, whereas petanque is played almost anywhere there is asphalt, dried earth etc. Another is that the Bocce playing area is delimited by wooden boards of about six inches in height, whereas petanque courts don't have them.
I don't know however, if Bocce permits the light-hearted attempts at cheating, psy ops designed to put off bowling opponents, and derisive and very funny comment!!
I am the best British bowls player in my district. (I am also the only British bowls player in my district...)
at 13:54 on February 9th, 2009
Ah yes, the dreaded "roving bands of youths".
Not to worry. This is the just French version of the auto economic stimulus plan.
at 14:05 on February 9th, 2009
Ha! Hi Nuke!
Damn great plan, but some dumb shmuck forgot just one tiny detail. No-one insures cars in poorer areas so they can't afford a new one! Duh! Oh well, back to the drawing board....
But! If these kids could be allowed to express their artistic talents in the chic areas, like near the Elysée Palace, just to give you a completely random example, then those owners would just pick up the insurance money and go buy a newer model!
Vote me for Economics Minister. I'll fix this in no time......
at 14:14 on February 9th, 2009
You've got my vote rec!
at 14:26 on February 9th, 2009
Thanks Nuke, I suggested that everyone vote me president a while back, but you know what they did?
They voted Sarkozy!! They all regret it now, of course...
When I'm finally voted in, I'll appoint you Defence Minister, promise, if you don't change your name!
at 17:23 on February 9th, 2009
Do you have any source and links to verify those numbers? It is an Opinion post, however you do make it sound like facts with out the facts to back it up.
at 17:48 on February 9th, 2009
No I do not have figures and links to back up what I wrote. This is an opinion post, clearly flagged as such, and you are welcome to send other figures in further comments if you so wish. Those figures quoted come from what I know to be well-known and reliable French mainstream press sources. My posts do not have the reputation of putting up erroneous information.
I do not appreciate this comment, and the aggressive and imperative-voice tone in which it is written. Contributors are not obliged to supply links to back up everything they state in opinion articles. If not, what is the point of having an opinion button in the first place? What would you like me to do? Use highlight in opinion? This post does not purport to be news, and it was written by myself, in good faith.
What makes you so suspicious of the figures quoted? "You make it sound like facts"? How much more subjective can you get? Where does it "sound" like that?
How can this post sound like "facts", given that the tone and syntaxical context used clearly indicate that my figures, verified moreover are intended to illustrate opinion, nothing more.
Moreover, what on earth does
"Facts without the facts to back them up" mean?
If your comment means that you are not happy with my opinion regarding another issue elsewhere on the site, I resent it.
at 17:58 on February 9th, 2009
I think what Paschen is asking are simple questions. It kind of sounds like are stats on the numbers that's all. Paschen wasn't being rude or suspicious he was only trying to find out what was up. Is it an opinion piece or a story that needs sources. I think your reading too much into it sweetie.:)
at 18:15 on February 9th, 2009
Thank you Cjaye for your interest.
His questions were couched in an imperative manner. No "If I may say so..." or "would you mind..." etcetera.
He is not the Police, and I am not under interrogation. On posts that the site calls, the message says stuff like "It seems that your post...etc" or "Could you...etc" and that was not the case here. He knows why himself.
Asking me questions is one thing. Grilling me is another.
Moreover, if opinion pieces must have links for all figures, then I hardly see why the button "opinion" should exist. I think the site should have faith in good faith. I was trying honestly to illustrate the post with a few figures, that's all. I have never posted anything that would have suscitated this kind of reaction before.
Again Cjaye, thanks for your well-meaning and kind comment. Paschan is annoyed about something else, but I do not see why I should have to be his whipping-boy.
As to your question, the post is tagged "opinion". That means opinion, with a few well-intended figures to help it along....
Yip!
at 20:50 on February 9th, 2009
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at 20:49 on February 9th, 2009
Ok lol!, so, having said all that, here are the figures, with pleasure..
These figures are taken from 2 national distribution newspapers, 1 national distribution news magazine and 1 national coverage TV channel. They’re in French of course, but I don't think they even exist in English!
Cars burnt In France, Jan-Nov 2008 estimated by the government to number 36,700, plus 1147 new year’s eve = 37,847, without counting those burnt between 1-30 december. (My post figure, “almost 40,000”)
http://tf1.lci.fr/infos/france/faits-divers/0,,4213733,00-flambee-des-voitures-brulees-plus-d-arnaques-aux-assurances-.html
Cars burnt in France the night of Sarkozy’s election 730 (My post figure, “730”)
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/speciales/elections_2007/20070507.OBS5884/730_voitures_brulees592_interpellations.html
Cars burnt in France on new year’s eve 2008, estimated by the government to number 1147 (My post figure, “1147”)
http://www.lepost.fr/article/2009/01/01/1371569_445-voitures-brulees-chiffre-en-hausse.html
A bonus, and to show the festive side of this sport, Yeah!
Cars burnt in France the night of the French national day, 14th July 2008, estimated by the government to number 297.
http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2008/07/18/01011-20080718FILWWW00493-voitures-brulees-chiffres-contestes.php
at 17:23 on February 9th, 2009
40,000 cars burned?! That is an incredible number. Makes the smashed car windows in Vancouver seem like... hmm, if torching car's is child's play what is smashing car windows? Baby bashing?
Thanks for the post, and wit, Fripouille.
at 17:53 on February 9th, 2009
Thanks Karenke4.
It's a uniquely French phenomena as far as I know, at least in Europe. I once saw five cars burning in my street. One of them set fire to a gas mains, and a fireman (or was it a policeman, I can't remember for sure) was once killed attending one of these fires by the explosion of a gas (as in gas, not petrol) tank.....
Nice to hear from you!
at 21:24 on February 9th, 2009
"It's a uniquely French phenomena as far as I know, at least in Europe"
Non, Monsieur Fripouille....it is not an unique French sport. YOU DONT GET PATENT FOR IT, ok... :-)). Maybe the French are the record holders in this particular sports, but this is very much popular in other Asian countries as well.
If you look at India we have a special un-official national sport called the "Harthal", or sometimes called "Bandh" - roughly translates to "Stop" . It is kind of nation / state wide strike and ofcourse influenced and derived from Gandhian principles and largely related to non-cooperative movement with which he made the Brits run away from India. Only that during the evolution of this sport somehow it moved away from the basic principle of non-violence. Now the rules are like this - participants must mass the streets, with whatever home made equipments like (but not limited to ) sticks, machets, stones, acid bulbs, molotov cocktails, country made bombs etc. There need not be any particular reason to start on "Harthal". Can be demise of a political leader, a movie star or even a local goon. Hell, one can even protest against natural disasters like flood, draught, typhoons or even solar eclipse. What need to do in the street is to forecefully shutdown the shops (you can loot them for fun) , schools and offices. Must stop the traffic (private and public ) completely. Maximum points can be scored by setting vehicles on fire or by injuring people. Usually this sport lasts for 12 hours (06:00 - 18:00 IST). The success of the Harthal is calculated in percentage - quarter, half, full or likes.
One of the small states in India, Kerala, should give tough competetions to the French. Look at the link given below.
A tribute to Bandh
This is not the official thing which I can furnish, But it is obvious that the blogger had done enough home work and is good at what he is doing.
Now, over to to Fripouille. ;)
Agent.
at 00:46 on February 10th, 2009
Hi Israeli Agent!
Wow, "Harthal" looks like fun for those who like playing, and that looks like a good team you guys got over there. Actually, what I meant by my comment on cars was the "sport" aspect of it, and the competition between rival towns. Car burning exists in every country probably, but here it's been elevated to an art form. I'd give them 20 to 1 to win the world cup.
French versions of Harthal, however, are nothing but pale copies of what happens in India. The French are weak and ineffective in attack, and their only offensives include kicking in shop windows and smashing a few glass bus shelters. They have almost no top class scorers like bombs, acid bulbs and machetes. Their defense is atrocious, as can be seen in this video. Most of the players just get arrested by the defense, and the game stops because all their players got sent off back to the dugout! Pathetic. Nope, these guys would be taken apart by the Keralans. The Indians have got to be strong contenders for the next world cup, to be held a little later this year in honour of the current economic crisis. Odds on India? 50 to 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuEz0TYBWZQ&feature=related
Thank you for taking the time to write your fun and informative comment, IA, I appreciate it very much! =:>
(ps, can someone tell me how to insert videos as hyperlinks into comments please, snif?)
at 21:55 on February 9th, 2009
Torching Cars?
No its a copy cat thing strictly imported from Northern Ireland during the troubles.
Then they invented the fertilizer car bomb that has since been exploited all over the globe.
Nothing new other than its a more fashionable hobby. I expect its less expensive since the price of fuel went down.
Its still a hobby in northern Ireland but one has to take a joy ride first before having the bonfire.
at 00:51 on February 10th, 2009
Hello Babel-Fish!
Right. It's nothing new at all. The images of burning cars used in barricades in NI have been round the globe and back for years.
The French just do it for "fun". Some may say that's dumber than doing it during a "real" protest. At least then people are really angry!
Thanks for commenting!
at 07:29 on February 10th, 2009
Seems to be a National Sport in your neck of the woods, In Canada we play Hockey!
at 07:44 on February 10th, 2009
Have to say, dear BA...
(Cool poetry huh?)
...That what those guys get up to in Canadian hockey would frighten the living daylights out of those young Urban Heroes in my post. I'd rather see those kids getting five years behind bars than being condemned to playing a full match of hockey in Canada.
Why? I'm a compassionate person at heart...
at 13:59 on February 10th, 2009
Very well-written, there, Monsieur Fripouille.
at 21:28 on February 17th, 2009
Here in S Florida, we don't torch cars, we accidentally park them in canals. Just make sure you tear the column apart, because they find these things years later and go after the people when the cars have the keys in them.
at 00:57 on February 18th, 2009
Very good idea! It saves petrol (good for the ecology) and it means there are less cars on the street (pratical).