From Amy Thomas, author of Paris, My Sweet. A love affair with Paris, New York, sweets and, now, a little girl named Parker.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The little things I love
• Oyster stands • The sound of police and fire sirens • The general politesse—how most everyone will hold the door for you • 400 movie theaters in one city • Chocolat chaud • Old ladies with scrappy dogs • Le Pont des Arts
With you on the politeness - such a change from London. Adore the way people barge through you whilst apologising profusely! Once a lady sent me flying and 10 yards further on stopped and came back to apologise.
I even find I now do the same sort of thing in London - always greet the bus driver/taxi driver/shop assistant etc. Always reply 'You're welcome'. Its nice rediscoverng lost manners - something I was brought up with but seem to have abandoned here.
And of course chocolat chaud - although I also like the Spanish version that you can stand a spoon upright in and dip churros into.
I'm with you all the way, Eli. And Happy New Year to you, too!
Scott, the oyster stands have popped up all over the place - on market streets, outside cafes and in front of small shops. I'm not an oyster fan but I love the French devotion to them.
With you on the politeness - such a change from London. Adore the way people barge through you whilst apologising profusely! Once a lady sent me flying and 10 yards further on stopped and came back to apologise.
ReplyDeleteI even find I now do the same sort of thing in London - always greet the bus driver/taxi driver/shop assistant etc. Always reply 'You're welcome'. Its nice rediscoverng lost manners - something I was brought up with but seem to have abandoned here.
And of course chocolat chaud - although I also like the Spanish version that you can stand a spoon upright in and dip churros into.
BTW and a little late - Happy 2010!
so where are the places to go for the oyster stands?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you all the way, Eli. And Happy New Year to you, too!
ReplyDeleteScott, the oyster stands have popped up all over the place - on market streets, outside cafes and in front of small shops. I'm not an oyster fan but I love the French devotion to them.