Bien-être

At 16, I had that as my eau de toilette. I didn't quite know how to pronounce it then (bien-être and eau de toilette both) until about a year later when I started my major in French. Whether that had something to do with it, or it was my sheer desire to pursue a career in languages (not that I knew what that meant back then either, I wish I did!) I couldn't be too sure. It was rather fulfilling to be able to enunciate the scent I wore. The complex French "r" and the the play of liaison was enough to be belauded of my linguistic skill. That of course didn't bring me very far. But at least the word lived on...

Especially now living in Seoul. Many things around me are called Well Being. From fermented rice drinks to big supermarkets. Even a restaurant that serves charcoal grilled pork (Duegi Galbi) is called a Well Being Restaurant (is that even possible?).The breadth of its usage is just so vast. And sometimes loose. It makes you wonder if it is at all meaningful.

If you translate Bien-être to English it gives you Welfare. This anglicized version connotes and denotes many other things beyond colognes and pork restaurants. It depends too whether the context is American or British. Indeed this word is more complex than the rolled "r" it has en francais. But what is essentially true is that it means "harmony in oneself and others". Take this word to France, Korea, England or America, all it's trying to say is "realization of oneself". Whoever we are. Whatever we speak. Where ever we live.

And hopefully, we could dare say it. Somehow.