I was listening to Chris Rock's "Never Scared" today on the metro, when I realized I was grinning from ear to ear and occasionally giggling out loud. That shit is so damn funny.
What is not so damn funny is the looks you get for smiling in this town. Day-um. You would think I smelled bad or was shouting obscenities. If I see somebody laughing to him/herself because something on his/her headphones is amusing, I don't scowl at the person. As a matter of fact, as long as he/she keeps it more or less to him/herself (ie laughing silently), I usually think it's pretty cute.
Nope. Not my co-travellers. So I was faced with a bit of a dilemna - keep listening and control the laughter? Or turn it off and scowl with the rest of 'em?
Obviously, I went for the former, 'cause the latter's no fun. I even took Chris with me to the post office, and then carried my box across Montparnasse with my giggles.
Of course, a man had to stop me ("Vous �tes charmante, mademoiselle" - I have a particular distaste for this pick-up line) for the giggling, and I just continued laughing and said thanks. Then he asked me for my name and I said, "Does it really make a difference?"
He was a little dumbfounded, and managed to say a meek little "Yes..." before I got by. So I guess Paris has made me a bit of a scowling bitch as well. I mean, he was only asking.
Hey Odessa,
I've been reading your blog for while. You are so RIGHT about smiling in this town. I've been laughing aloud lately because of a recent incident with my friend (can't explain because it is a bit indecent). I'll just all suddent bust out laughing on the train. Everybody looks at me sooo strangely....Even though the French are really liberal..they sure aren't that gregarious..