Love at first sight.
I'm glued to the display window of an arty jewelry store in an arty part of Paris. I am staring at the necklace of my dreams. I peer at the price. Not too bad.
I go in. "Bonjour Madame," I say before I so much as take a breath. Saying "Bonjour Madame" immediately goes an immense way towards friendly relations with the French. American should be taught that in school.
Which is not to say there aren't things the French should be taught about American manners should they wish to get along in our fair country--
But I digress.
THE NECKLACE. I point to it. The petite Audry Tatou(ish) saleswoman nods happily and goes to get it. I set myself up in front of the mirror.
She comes back with MY necklace, and three other pieces. She is thrilled to tell me how beautiful they each are. I try on MY necklace. What can I say? Perfection.
Audrey dangles the next one at me. The third is silver. I tell her I prefer gold. She hastens off for something else (presumably gold), and I try on the second necklace. It's nice, but not, you know, MY necklace.
She's back, babbling charmingly about all the things I can do with this new one--turn it into a belt, bracelet, earrings....
"I'll take this one," I say, reverently holding out MY necklace.
A brief flash of disappointment. But then she catches herself. "You have experienced a coup de foudre I see, with thees necklace."
I nod. Helpless in the simple truth of it.
"How do you say 'coup de foudre' in English?"
"Love at first sight," I say.
Sometimes, it can even be for a necklace.
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