We've been here 4 months now and our culture coach Gilles Asselin had warned us that the French don't warm up quickly to strangers let alone foreigners.
Late in the morning 2 days ago our doorbell rang and I went to answer the door. There was a very formally dressed elderly lady on the other side who immediately began speaking to me in French. I held my hand up and said, "je sui American" and told her I was still learning the language at which point she spoke in reasonably good English and told me she was my neighbor directly below our apartment. I introduced myself to her in French and she shook my hand but didn't offer her name while explaining she was on her way upstairs to visit another friend. There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments and then she turned to go and I wished her "bon journee" and closed the door.
I told Cassie about it when she got home that evening and she laughed and said, "now there's a blog entry for you; her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she wanted to actually speak however briefly with the Americans upstairs but she sure wasn't going to give them her name." I'm certain we were an integral part of her discussion with her friend upstairs. I had met the son of a 90 plus year old couple who live on the top floor and his name is "Emme'" who's an independent film maker and of all things, a harpist. We exchanged business cards and I've bumped into him a couple of times in our lobby but haven't spoken to him since. We also say "bonjour" to other folks we see outside their apartments but that's about it for the time being.
Perhaps more of the folks in our building are starting to become interested in letting a little "American" into their lives. I asked the lady from downstairs the other day whether we were alright as neighbors and she replied, "bon....". Now that's a ringing endorsement if I ever heard one.........*
Maybe next time she'll tell me who she is......*
It's kind of nice being such a curiosity. I guess our secret is still safe here.
Love to all everywhere.....
From your friendly local quiet American.
Sid
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