Web Letters: An Empire of Vice

Hi, noticed the curious use of "amour propre" as well and wanted to put my own two cents in. I thought that perhaps "chasse gardée" would have fit the meaning and context quite well. It means "private game reserve" according to my Harrap's, the connotation being "hands off."

'Amour propre" is best translated as "self-esteem" in English; "self-love" strikes me as exaggerated. The French frequently use the expression "amour propre" and the meaning is psychological in its slant, the same as "'self-esteem."

I find the tone of voice of the comments a bit harsh. Nobody's perfect, you know. That's one thing I really like about the French: they manage one's "amour propre" d'office! Not so, we Yankees.

And as a Cal grad, I'm more than willing to give him a break. The aricle was informative and quite readable. Good job.

Mark Danekas

Paris, France

I seriously doubt that the distinguished guests were being served Mexican food instead of Cuban. Enchiladas are a Mexican concoction. Perhaps you meant to say crab "enchilado" (with an "o") and conch "enchilado." Enchilado dishes in Cuba are made with wine, tomatoes, paprika, olive oil, and garlic. Enchiladas are made with Mexican tortillas. In Cuba, Mexican-style tortillas do not exist. Cuban tortillas are made with eggs and a variety of foods, but mostly potatoes, just like in Spain (an unfolded omelet, similar to the Italian frittata).

Omar Godoy

Silver Lake, CA

Where are your editors? Jelly-Schapiro's article about Cuba is readable enough, except when he lapses into barbarisms apparently is meant to be French. There is no such word as "civilitrice," and "amour propre," which means self-love or vanity, is not the sort of thing one can regard an island as. If you're going to let your writers show off their pretentious foreign phrases, please insist they get them right.

Ronald de Sousa

Toronto, Ontario

The author misuses the phrase "amour propre", by saying, "...on an island, moreover, that the United States had regarded as an amour propre." The phrase means self-love in French, and carries the same meaning in English, usually a very strong, haughty, hubristic self love. I suggest a dictionary for both the author and the editor.

Ashley Camarillo

Los Angeles, CA