This cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express relates to news that David Beckham has joined French football club Paris St Germain on a five-month contract (see articles below).
EXPLANATION
In addition to being known as a football player, David Beckham is famous for his slew of tattoos that he shows off on his usually shirtless body (see here). This is why members of the Federation of French Tattoists are celebrating Becks' arrival with champagne, no doubt anticipating a boom in the demand for tattoos!
COMMENT
This cartoon provides good material for a discussion of cultural stereotypes. French men wearing berets and striped shirts (not to mention the twirly moustache). The Eiffel Tower to represent Paris. Tattoo aficionados as fat blokes with shaved heads and earrings. See here and here for more on French stereotypes.
VOCABULARY
A tattoo is a permanent picture that is drawn on a part of your body by putting ink into your skin with a needle. Tattoo is also a verb: He decided to have an eagle tattooed on his back. The place where you go to get a tattoo is called a tattoo parlour.
NOTE
You can see loads of photos and watch an extract from Beckham's PSG press conference at Mail Online.
