Age-old French Tradition Is Changing

In a shocking turn of events, and in a show of support for French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, the French people selected the head-butt as their new official form of surrender in their annual popular vote. This marks the first time since the popular vote was introduced in 1947 that the white flag will not be a part of the standard surrender process for French citizens.

"It was obvious, I think, to everyone that Zidane had given up in the second overtime. For him the writing was on the locker-room wall, it just wasn't worth fighting the fight anymore. The cold shower and consolation champagne must have seemed much more appealing." said French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. "It's possible this is a one-year change, but I'd be surprised if the white flag comes back anytime soon." Other than the "Yankerchief" year of 1979, and 1994*, this is the first time that the traditional waving or displaying a white flag is not the preferred method of surrender.

The Geneva Convention stipulates specifically that the white flag will be used as a sign of surrender or cease-fire. As such the France will continue to honor the traditional method, while lobbying the larger EU community to raise awareness for their new, unique method. German Chancellor Angela Merkel received a personal phone call from French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to announce the change. "We just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any confusion between our two countries." Villepin said in a follow-on statement.

We'll have to wait until next year to see if the head-butt catches on, or if it's just another sign of World Cup mania.

* In 1994, an embarrassing situation arose when it was discovered that the winning method of surrender, stuffing a white flag in your mouth, was in fact both nominated and seconded not by citizens of France, but by two English born university students on summer break in the riviera.