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I am on the Seine and while I still love Paris, I have not had the best afternoon. A fellow student and I had lunch at a cafe near the Eiffel Tower and were not only served last, slowly, and rudely, we were purposely withheld our bill. While our waiter freely handed out the surrounding tables checks, we had to ask at least four times for ours. Of course our waiter snapped at us when we again asked for our bill. "Your bill, Monsieur. I do not forget." Oh, ok so you're not forgetful, you're just rude. Got it. My lunch mate had to ask the maitre'd for bill in order to pay. We were late getting back to the bus and I immediately wanted to start bawling and subsequently did. I actually spent most of the Seine boat ride trying to hide behind sunglasses and layers of clothing. What grown woman cries in public? This one. I am not an idiot and although I understand many Americans have served as precedent setters of stupidity and entitlement for ages before me. I am not that American and I do not believe another human being should have the ability or audacity to ignore, belittle, and put a complete stranger "in their place". Yes, I agree I should know French, yes I think Europeans are generally better educated and culturally adaptable, but does this give one the right to shame me? If anything, the French should pity me and my shallowness. I guess the truth is the waiter didn't think I was worth getting to know or treat respectably and this ultimately hurt my feelings. I couldn't control it; I wanted him to like me and he didn't- in fact he loathed me. It took me the afternoon to get through my frustration. It was at Montmartre when I gave some of my anger to the cathedral and more to the artist's square and finally the last of my shame fell away while buying Carter one of those cheap Eiffel Tower statues(which he requested-weird). I am in Paris for crying out-loud ( accidental pun) and even though I wanted to smoke many Parisian cigarettes, cry, and hide in bed; I didn't. Instead I joined a small group, rode the bus back to the tower, didn't get lost, and climbed to the top of the ET. The day ended on a very high note (terrible pun). And yes, I still love this beautiful city.
- comments
Cherisse French waiters are notorious for exactly this type of behavior. Don't take it personally. Think of it as an authentic cultural experience. :)