If you have ever been in a busy store in the USA and had to watch the scowling faces, heavy breathing and annoying body language of those waiting in line behind you, here is a story that might warm your heart.
Françoise Mercerie
In Le Blanc, France there is "Françoise" mercerie. It's a little shop that sells among other things fine hats. There is barely enough room for a half dozen people to stand in the shop at the same time. Late one afternoon last week, my friend and I went in to look for a ladies hat. It was a few minutes before Françoise finished with the lady in front of us and gave us her undivided attention. As my friend was trying on the first hat, a nice red one, in walked a pretty young french woman and her 2 small children and stood in line behind us. Moments later an elderly woman and then a tall older man, who looked like he was headed home from work, stepped in and stood behind the others.
Françoise brought out another hat, then another, and I began to fear that soon we would begin to annoy those waiting in line behind us. The red hat came off and on went a gray one with a pretty green band as my friend conversed with Françoise in french. As the red hat went back on the young french woman said she thought the gray one was better because you could wear it with more outfits. Then in perfect english, she complimented my friend at how well she spoke french. The man then said he liked the red one best. It was more stylish. Then out came a black one with a rosette on the side. The young woman immediately said she liked it even better, the elderly woman nodded and the man said the red one was still more stylish. I had to smile because before long, here was an entire shop full of customers helping us choose the perfect hat. In the end we got the black one with the rosette and received a hearty "bonjour and au revoir" with big smiles from everyone as we left the shop.
