Paris is known to many as the city of romance. A place where people come to fall in love. Parisian men are known for being charming and romantic...So far my experience tells me this is not a fact! Although there are many parisian men who are in fact charming and romantic, this is not a rule. So don't come here expecting that! The ones that are in fact charming and romantic can sometimes take it to an extreme. Let me give you an example that just happened to me...

Every once in a while I go downstairs to smoke. Yesterday I was on my way, somewhere between the 3rd and the 2nd floor, when a man got out of one of the offices and took the stairs too. Two steps behind me he complimented my perfume. I smiled politely and said thank you. He asked what was the name of it and standing by my side said: "I won't forget it. So, when is your birthday?" I was confused for a second, why that question? My brain caught up with his and I answered a little afraid of what would come next. He smiled and asked where did I work and I answered and finally we got to the ground floor and went our separate ways. This was charming, in a way, and although it was a little too forward for my taste it still was flattering. So today, after lunch, I took the stairs again. For a second I thought about taking the elevator instead because I wasn't really in the mood for another encounter like that. But I have to exercise, right? So I took the stairs and there he was between the 2nd and 1st floor talking to a colleague. If you think we has shy about it, think again. As soon as he saw me he greeted me with a big smile: "Bonjour mademoiselle Escada (my perfume)" I smiled and said bonjour back. And then, here it comes folks, he says: "We should have lunch sometime." I was shocked, so shocked that I stopped and looked at him confused. What is this? Lunch? What do you mean lunch? Well, he looked at my face and probably thought we were having a communication problem and repeated the question while his colleague stood there looking at both of us enjoying the show. I answered that I had understood his question and that I would think about it and quickly disappeared down the stairs. He still shouted to ask my name but I just kept on going in a hurry to leave those steps. I mean, there's a limit to charm and romance, people! You don't invite a woman you don't know at all to lunch, on a staircase, while you're having a conversation with another man...I mean, isn't this obvious? Isn't this romance 101?

So you see charm can be a wonderful thing but it can also be just plain scary! From now on I will take the elevator just to be safe!

"It's all happening...!"

Until next time,

Papillon