She thought it was amusing at first. No matter where she went they spoke to her in English.A Parisian waiter can feel a tourist before he sees one.
But at the supermarket, the Brasserie, the Tabac it was always the same.
They said 'Bonjour' to everyone and without even hearing her speak she always got the 'Hello'.
How did they know? It soon became an obsession.
She tried a new hair style, less make up, more make up, different shoes.
She even tried to walk slower while pretending not to care.
'Bonjour....bonjour...bonjour...oh, hello, what would you like?'
It was maddening.
Then after some time and strategic clothing changes she decided to test her 'ensemble nouveau' on the French-ist of French, hole-in-the-wall Bistrot she had coveted to go to for years.
The place was packed.
In slow motion she adjusts her scarf with one hand, takes her sunglasses off with the other while approaching the open door. The waiter passes and says,
"Attendez, j'arrive.."
He comes back and faces right up, 'Bonjour Madame'
'Bonjour Monsieur.'
Hearing her accent, '"Would you like a menu or are you here for drinks."
'For drinks, thank you and for this' she says and then leans in close and kisses him French style on both cheeks.
