Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
100,000 or so mainlanders who dominate the island's administration and economy. The
locals refer to them very slightly derogatorily as Zoreilles (the Ears); the usual explanation
is that they are straining to hear what's being said about them in the local patois.
Daily Life
Contemporary Réunionnais are a thoroughly 21st-century people. The vast majority of
children receive a decent standard of education and all islanders have access to the nation-
al health system, either in Réunion or in France. There are traffic jams, everyone is on a
mobile (cell) phone, and flashy cars are ubiquitous. But beneath this modern veneer, there
are many more traditional aspects.
One of the strongest bonds unifying society, after the Creole language, is the import-
ance placed on family life. It's particularly made evident at the
pique-nique du dimanche
en famille
(Sunday family picnic). Religious occasions and public holidays are also vigor-
ously celebrated, as are more personal family events, such as baptisms, first communions
and weddings.
Though Réunion can't be mistaken for, say, Ibiza, Réunionnais share a zest for the fest.
On weekends St-Gilles-les-Bains, L'Hermitage-les-Bains and St-Pierre are a magnet for
Réunionnais from all over the island. The towns turn wild on those evenings as flocks of
night owls arrive en masse to wiggle their hips and guzzle pints of Dodo beer and glasses
of rum.
On a more mundane level, you'll quickly realise that the possession of a brand new car
is a sign of wealth and respect. The 'car culture' is a dominant trait; small wonder that
traffic jams are the norm on the coastal roads. Many Réunionnais spend up to two hours
daily in their car going to and from work! One favourite topic of conversation is the state
of the roads, especially the tricky Route du Littoral between St-Paul and St-Denis, which
is sometimes closed due to fallen rocks.
Another noticeable (though less immediately so) characteristic is the importance of
la
di la fé
(gossip). If you can understand a little bit of French (or Creole), tune in to
Radio
Free Dom
(
www.freedom.fr
)
- you'll soon realise that gossip is a national pastime.
Despite the social problems that blight any culture, on the whole it's a society that lives
very easily together.
