Flirting En Français

Ok, everyone...been here a little more than a day. Haven't gotten married. Haven't taken a lover. The person sitting next to me on the plane was a friendly American grad student named Jenny. And I haven't even noticed a single man checking me out or making eye contact since I arrived.

I stopped this evening at a cafe near the Sorbonne for some dinner. I haven't yet figured out how seating works in French cafés. Sometimes it seems you seat yourself, while others it seems you should ask to be seated. Tonight a waiter helped me, telling me to sit wherever I like.

I ended up sitting next to two friendly Australian women, who chatted with

me about yoga and our respective time in Paris. The waiter happily agreed to speak with me in English, which I said I preferred because I was too tired and hungry to think in French. It was a very busy cafe and he was handling many tables well.

"Are you ready?" he asked

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"I love it when a woman tells me she's ready!" he joked. Clearly this man has a command of the English language. He struck up conversation each time he passed, asking where I was from and telling me he hoped we re-elect President Obama.

After the Australians had left and I finished my meal, the waiter was back and he asked if it was my first time in Paris. Then he asked why my boyfriend was not with me. It was easier, so I just said, "he's working." 

"He must be stupid! Your first trip to Paris and he is not here! You have beautiful green eyes, a beautiful smile...that is a mistake! He should be here."

Then the waiter introduced himself and when he came back, he wrote his number on my placemat. He explained that he had met his girlfriend in just this way and very kindly offered to have me call should I need anything or next time I come to Paris, a friend to stay with.

"You see, this is why it was not smart for your boyfriend to let you come to Paris alone!"

(And no, Stephane the waiter was not particularly attractive--but he was genuinely nice)