Personal Taste

2.1. Reading

The interviewees often had very little or no interest at all in reading. The books that were mentioned were often popular books with low cultural value.

I have no interest in photography, art, books, and other things. I only read the Harry Potter book. And my family is even worse. (Interviewee 1, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

Although some of their parents were well-read, the teachers themselves did not seem to want to follow this personal interest and seem merely to have read certain obligatory books at school or at work.

My mother reads a lot of books. I read only what I was given at school but without pleasure. I had read just two books that I really enjoyed: Froth one the Daydream and The Reader. (Interviewee 2, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

Only one interviewee expressed an interest in reading. However, her reading time was as low as that of the others because of the minimal time she can spend on this activity.

She considered this activity the last obligation in her life—something that is not particularly important and therefore cannot be associated with a real passion.

Regarding reading, it depends. In general, I like to read but it is the last in my priorities so it depends whether I have the time (for example, I’ll read more during vacations.) So, I have no favorite writer because I do not read often enough. (Interviewee 5, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

2.2. Movies

In general, the teachers interviewed were quite interested in movies and enjoyed going to the cinema sometimes, and, for some of them, even often. Unlike books, they agreed to spend time with family or friends for this activity.

I like to watch movies; I like any kind of style except horror movies. There are times when I go to the movie theater very often and, during other periods, not at all. Most of the time it’s with my family, from my childhood until today.

My last film was Asterix, though then I was accompanying my students.

(Interviewee 4, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

The most appreciated style of movie was not defined; however, it was often a mainstream movie that everyone was watching. There was no question of watching avant-garde film or those with innovative and singular styles. The teachers also paid little attention to who the directors of the movies were.

I go to the cinema very often; I even have the movie theater pass. I prefer romantic comedy but otherwise I like action movies and fantasy. In general, I go there for the story, and sometimes the actors. Recently I went to see Bohemian Rhapsody, Fantastic animals, everything that comes out in the movie theater in general. (Interviewee 3, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

2.3. Music

The participants in this study also enjoyed listening to music. For them, it is a banal activity that is part of everyday life. Hence, although they listen to music, they do not pay much attention to the kind of music they listen to. There was not much research on the style. Thus, music is seen as a habit, a moment of relaxation but not as something cultural in itself.

Regarding music, I can say that like music, I like to listen to music. I listen to a lot of rap, it can be French or English, Dip House or RnB like Rhianna and so on. Every music that is fashionable. The music of the moment, TOP of Spotify. That’s my style of music. (Interviewee 1, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

Although some interviewees had more definite opinions on the style of music that they preferred, It was still commercial music—music that can be heard on the radio that is more targeted at young people.

I do not listen to rap at all, I’m more pop and rock or even hard rock sometimes. But NEVER rap. My last concert was a long time ago but I bought tickets for Ed Sheeran this year and Muse in July. Besides, Muse is my favorite band. (Interviewee 3, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

2.4. Cultural Tour

Here I define a cultural tour as being, for example, a tour of a museum, castle, or other cultural place that relates to art, culture, or history. We noticed that cultural activities were very weak. These only involved a museum tour, but it remains weak. For example,

some knowledge of art may come from a tour of a museum, but the research is not further developed apart from this visit.

I’m not interested in painting, but I still know some painters. I would say that I prefer Cezanne. When traveling with family, we always do at least one art museum together, it allows us to discover the country even more and to know a little about art stuff. (Interviewee 4, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

The number of cultural visits was thus limited. They may occur once a year, which is perhaps average for French people, but they did not occur at an above average frequency. There was no particular interest in these kinds of activities.

The last museum I visited was Madame Tussaud's in London. It was one year ago. (Interviewee 1, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

2.5. Shows

None of the interviewees mentioned shows of a cultural order, such as opera or the theater;

they do not seem to belong to this environment or to participate in these kinds of activities.

I think that my last show was a concert of Soprano [a French rapper and singer], in 2007. I do not have any particular interest in shows, and, worst, I have never seen an opera. (Interview 1, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

The only type of show they participated in were music concerts. In addition, these were popular music concerts, fashionable, and not classical music, for example.

My last concert was JUL [another French rapper and singer]. Last year in December. (Interview 1, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)

2.6. Decoration

Regarding the taste for esthetics, decoration is also part of this lifestyle, and one speaks of the “stylization of life” (Bourdieu, 1979, p.438). Hence, he will say, for example, that the popular classes will look for something simple and profitable. So much so that the

other classes will go to the decorated. For the interviewees, decoration seems to have an important place, the decoration of their apartments.

My house is in gray white and powdery pink, Scandinavian style too. Very Eastern country and embellished with some exotic animals and fruits. But my house is very comfortable. Especially for my cats, and a balcony that I privatized for my rabbit. (Interviewee 5, one to one interview, December 20, 2018)

There is a style of decoration that is fashionable, a style that everyone seems to adopt and is identifiable on social networks, for example. This is particularly reflected in the interviews.

For decoration, I prefer a very clean, Scandinavian style with lots of anthracite gray. I’m a huge fan of fashion stuff so I love to look at Pinterest and Instagram, all that is related to influencers in those apps. (Interviewee 1, one-to-one interview, December 20, 2018)