Camille Lacourt

Camille Lacourt is a 3-time gold medalist swimmer in Europe. He is getting lots of buzz in France right now. Go figure.

oh là là

Yes, Camille looks like a GQ model....but so is the blue-eyed blond that delivers my packages, the dark curly-hair guy that handed me over a slap of meat at the boucherie, the sexy young fisherman who sold me a kilo of langoustines the other day, and the handsome farm boy that handed me some organic potatoes and avocados at the farmer's market.

No, no, no, NOT everyone in France has devilish good looks. I am just trying to tell you that you will find devilishly good looking people doing the most expected jobs here. Unlike in LA, guys that look like Mr. Lacourt are not always struggling artists working as waiters to pay their bills as they pursue their acting career. Here, waiters are simply waiters. Cashiers are just cashiers. They work regular jobs like everyone else. The other day at LeClerc, where I do most of my groceries shopping, I ran into the most beautiful young blond woman cleaning the WC. As gorgeous as she was, she didn't seen to mind at all about cleaning the toilets for a living and took her job seriously. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! I love that kind  of humble spirit.

Most french people are not really attached to their looks or youth. Good looking young French people don't expect to get any special treatments as they do in California. In fact, the only people that get special treatments are the elderly, especially true for the old ladies that have big perfectly groomed hair, bling bling jewelry from head to toes, and a very fancy purse. As for the rest of the French population, they get the normal French treatment, which is a whooooooole other topic.

This is a perfect example of what you'd need to look like if you'd like "special treatments* 


Just go Bernadette

Although looks don't really matter, your age and how you dress will make a big difference in France. They don't always dress great themselves, but they just judge you if you don't.

*Special treatment in France :

• A waiter/waitress asks if you'd like a table without having you to hunt them down and beg them for a table
• The salesperson or owner who actually stops reading the newspaper and notices you are there. If you are lucky, they might even say hi.
• Not getting dirty looks when you are in good mood and accidentally smiled at a someone (it's a crime to look happy)
• An old lady decides to get in line behind you and not right in front of you

Most of them are not mean or rude at all. Some of them might even be the nicest people you'd meet once you take the time (years) to know them. This is just how they interact with strangers whether you are French or not.