A small delicatessen shop in Cannes, France, has been making international news headlines because of its controversial name – ‘Ma femme est une cochonne’ (My Wife Is a Sow).
Ever since it opened in mid-January, Ma femme est une cochonne, a delicatessen shop in Cannes, has been getting a lot of attention because of its unusual name. Founded by a couple of “bon-vivants who love good food,” the shop sells all kinds of treats, from cold cuts to spirits, and while we’re sure their products are all excellent, many people are drawn by the name. “My wife is a sow” sounds more like an insult, but the two male co-founders swear they have nothing against their spouses; in fact, both of theirs find the name funny. They wanted a name that attracted attention, and they definitely hit the mark with their choice, but it managed to attract some unwanted attention as well.
Less than a month after its inauguration, My Wife Is a Sow was slapped with a warning from local authorities. The owners were ordered to take down the sign featuring the controversial name and two sketches of a humanoid sow carrying a hatchet, or face a fine of 243 euros ($262) per day until they complied. Asked if the decision had anything to do with the name, a spokesperson for the Cannes City Hall said that the decision was only based on the fact that the small business had failed to register its sign, which was against the law. The two owners disagree.
“After we put it up, we were quickly attacked,” David Prince, one of the two co-owners, said. “The person in charge of the file made it clear to us that the name was problematic. Many people have never applied for permission to put up a sign.”
But My Wife Is a Sow isn’t going anywhere! The owners have already had a new sign made and installed it inside, right at the window, so authorities can’t say anything anymore. They claim that locals found the name funny, as did their own wives, the only ones who should be insulted by it.
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