The waiters in the Café de la Mairie have such an outsize helping of amour propre*.
There's this waiter, a torreador. He studies himself in the mirror at the back of the room that makes the place look bigger, inflates his chest, pulls down his waistcoat, goes into battle.
There's this English guy sitting at the next table (not a tourist). The waiter goes over to him, says, "Bonjour Monsieur." The man doesn't answer. He's talking to his friend (I think a buisness contact). Waiter waits. Man doesn't answer. Waiter, insulted, bellows, "BONJOUR, MONSIEUR!". Man orders.
Waiter returns to the mirror, inspects himself, pulls down his waistcoat, gets the order...
amour propre*. - self respect



It seems to me that almost every waiter in Paris is the most "correct".
Posted by: Allure | May 04, 2009 at 08:00 PM
You may have something there: I've never come across one with an attitude that could be described as remotely 'casual'. How much coffee do you think they make them drink before they start a shift?
Posted by: badaude | May 05, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Thanks for your sketches -- that's the second one I've seen of the Café de la Mairie. Much admired and appreciated.
Posted by: Expat Stu | May 06, 2009 at 02:01 AM
I'm always happy to draw the Mairie...
Posted by: badaude | May 06, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Café de la Mairie, of course, is also the great stage for the loquacious Dr. O'Connor in D. Barnes' Nightwood. You must love. Your drawings are splendid, such fun to witness.
Posted by: Emilie | May 06, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Oh yes, and can't wait for the rest of your story. Do tell. I was at Oxford also and now am in Paris. At New College. So, do continue...
Posted by: Emilie | May 06, 2009 at 04:30 PM
a) Oh good - more soon. b) Yes I was virtually next door to you then - you Cyberjohnsons do get around a lot.
Posted by: badaude | May 07, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I have something here is never come across one with an mind-set that could be described as slightly casual.
Posted by: דלת כניסה | April 03, 2012 at 11:34 AM