Familiar to anyone who's traveled in France, this sign, in various forms, is affixed to any shop that sells cigarettes and other tobacco products. The sale of tobacco is authorized by the state, which grants licenses to buralistes (authorized tobacco sellers), whose shops are often coupled with a bar, café, or newsstand. The "carrot" is the standard, but often stylized, sign of this license and is displayed outside each establishment that sells tobacco.
What I didn't know is that the shape of the "carrot" is meant to represent a bundle of dried and tied tobacco leaves. When we first moved here, we noticed a field of tobacco growing not far from our town. Ken, having grown up in the American south, recognized it immediately. It is long since gone.
It’s an interesting and fun sign. I wondered why a carrot!
ReplyDeleteI had NO idea about this! Has this symbol always been tied to these shops? Even back in 1982?
ReplyDeleteJudy
La carotte est obligatoire devant les bureaux de tabac depuis 1906.
DeleteKen may also remember the "ABC package store" often with red dot signage in the Carolinas.
ReplyDeleteI have never smoked, so maybe that is why I've never noticed this sign. It is a very stylized carrot!
ReplyDeleteThe ABC stores are still in the Carolinas. And in Walt's part of the world, east of there in the Connecticut Valley, they used to grow tobacco for cigar wrappers. It was shaded under huge white nets, which apparently kept it more delicate, or something. Another industry long gone.
ReplyDeletemitch, I learned something. I didn't know it was called a carrot.
ReplyDeletejudy, yes, even back in 1982. I assume you were not a smoker. ;)
wilma, he may...
mary, it's easy to overlook them, but if you smoke, you know.
emm, I didn't know they could grow it so far north.