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We'll Always Have Paris - Sharing Sweet Memories...

By Judy Klem

Home Stager with Transition Stage LLC

October 21, 2011 01:42 AM

After quite belatedly reading a Sunday Times article (from weeks ago) called Lost in Paris, I found myself re-living some of my favorite Paris moments and thought I'd share one with you.

After visiting Paris several times on my own and with a friend, I took my younger sister there for her 40th birthday. I had received a legacy from my dad and I knew this would be a treat that she wouldn't think to give herself.

We had lots of fun, and Kate enjoyed all the places I was able to show her in my most favorite city in the world. We did quite a bit of shopping, and I realized I had gone overboard and wouldn't be able to fit everything into my suitcase. Off to La Poste (the post office) I went, where I bought several good-sized boxes to send things home to their ultimate recipients.

La Poste

When I came to pack up the boxes, I suddenly realized that I didn't have any tape. A quick check at the concierge's desk found only skinny little scotch tape. Out my window, I could see a small stationery store across the street. My window of opportunity was closing, as I had to prepare the boxes, get them to the post office, and then come back so we could be on our way to the airport.

My encounter with Madame Le Stationery Store went like this:

Judy, with a big smile of greeting: "Bonjour! Parlez-vous Anglais?"

Mdme, with a certain coldness: "Non."

Judy, mumbling to herself: "Hmmm. Is there anywhere in my brain the French word for tape? Tape. Hmmm."

Mdme, with a certain sarcasm: "Ah. Le Scotch."

Judy, suddenly hopeful, and a bit giddy: "Ah! Bon! Mais... le tape pour les boites... pour La Poste... pour Les Etats Unis?" (My Fractured French attempt at saying I needed tape for boxes to go in the post on their way to the U.S.)

Mdme, happy to conclude this bizarre enounter with yet another American tourist who doesn't speak her language:

"Ah. Le packing."

Relieved and happy, me with my packing tape, and Madame, satisfied with her successful conclusion to this sale - and no doubt glad to usher another "Have a Good Day" American from her shop.

And so, off I went to my hotel, where I prepared "les boites... pour La Poste... pour Les Etats Unis" to my family and friends, who were very happy when their lovely yellow La Poste boxes arrived, containing little surprises for them.

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Ron Marshall

Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN

Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Bon Jour, Judy. Great story. I am pretty sure I would be thrilled to find La Poste in my mailbox, too!

Oct 21, 2011 01:46 AM

Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!

Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

How fun...Paris is on my bucket list for sure! Reminds me of my trips down to Mexico during the days I lived in California...where there is a will there is a way to make yourself understood LOL

Oct 21, 2011 01:49 AM

Judy Klem

Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT

Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Ron - Bonjour!! Yeah, it's a pretty cool thing, I have to say. I mailed one to myself and I loved getting it.

HI Deborah - Paris is a must-see. It's just so gorgeous. If I could figure out how, I'd love to live there for a few years. It's really true about making ourselves understood - we just find a way.

Oct 21, 2011 01:51 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Judy....what a nice story.....just be glad it was only tape that you needed....

Oct 21, 2011 02:18 AM

Peggy Chirico

Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT

REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

Hi Judy - For a minute, I thought she was going to give you a bottle of scotch! That wouldn't have been a good thing to go in La Poste! I just got back from France and I love it--language barriers and all. I hope you had a great time!

Oct 21, 2011 02:29 AM

Hi Barbara - LOL!! You're right - could have been quite a trial if it was something a bit more obscure.

Oct 21, 2011 02:35 AM

Hi Peggy - If we had gone another couple of rounds, I might have needed a shot of Scotch! I love Paris, and every encounter is fun in some way. This one cracked me up.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit there, too.

Oct 21, 2011 02:36 AM

Sally Weatherley

EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Judy - Le shopping, le parking, le hotdog... English has wormed its way into the French language. Too funny. What an encounter! There's nothing like a snooty Parisian to put one in their place! Don't get me started on the Waiters!

If you haven't already, you MUST see Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" - You'll love it, fellow francophile.

Oct 21, 2011 03:08 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Cute story. Language barriers can be troublesome to overcome in a pinch, but thank goodness you and your madame did it.

Oct 21, 2011 03:25 AM

Hi Sally - You're so right! It's quite comical all the English phrases that are just about everywhere in Paris. And you're right again - I LOVED Midnight in Paris. When the movie ended, I turned to Herb and said, "Let's stay and see it again." - while the people behind us said, "Let's go to Paris NOW." It's just that kind of movie.

Oct 21, 2011 09:43 AM

Hi Chris Ann - Thank you. Somehow, we managed to get through and I came away with the tape I needed.

Oct 21, 2011 09:44 AM

Gary Coles (International Referrals)

Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV

Latin America Real Estate

Judy,

Great story about Paris. I've only been there once and I want to return. I was lucky -- all the people that I met were warm and friendly (honestly)). My first trip to France - well, that was a much different story.

Oct 21, 2011 03:11 PM

Ellen Caruso

Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Judy, Love your adventure and the purpose was the best, time with a sibling!

Oct 21, 2011 05:26 PM

Hi Gary - Thank you! I have to say that most of the people I met in Paris were quite delightful. I'm glad you had a good experience there, too.

Oct 22, 2011 04:14 AM

Hi Ellen - Thanks! It was a very special time.

Oct 22, 2011 04:15 AM

Liz Wallace

Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY

Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

Always great the see your smiling face on the blog board. When I went to Italy I thought that if I at least made an attempt to speak Italian, then people were more helpful, except once on a bus, but that's another story, as they say.

Oct 23, 2011 12:39 AM

Hi Liz - Thank you! I think what you say is very true - it seems only polite to at least try to speak the native language, even if it's only "good day" and "thank you." And, of course, there are always a few exceptions along the way.

Oct 23, 2011 01:01 AM

We'll Always Have Paris - Sharing Sweet Memories...

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