A Night in Paris
14 Jul
Ah, Paris, the city of lights.
For me, Paris was the city of world-famous art museums, night-time strolls, and impeccably trimmed gardens. I wore scarves. I walked along the Seine. I ate Pierre Hermé macarons. I went to the Louvre – three times. I had wine on the Pont Neuf bridge. I made a four-course gourmet meal in our apartment. I went shopping in the Saint-Germin-des-Pres district. I dined until midnight on a street patio of a corner cafe on the Pont de L’Ile Saint Louis. I found myself in a block party. I drank wine on our balcony as I watched the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower. I bought art from street painters in the Latin Quarter. I got scouted by a French film director outside the Notre Dame. I napped in the Versailles gardens.
I fell in love, with Paris.
And I met a boy.
I met SHB on a pub crawl through Montmartre, which started at Moulin Rouge and ended at a club on the Champs-Élysées. He was into me the moment he saw me. I, on the other hand, was looking for more of a challenge. But my wing-man for the night, Vin Diesel, said this guy checked out. SHB was a) from Singapore, and b) from business school. That was all I really needed to know.
In between kamikaze shots, I learned that he had been on exchange at the business school in Norway. Incidentally, two of my friends from Business School had also been on exchange there. So we knew people in common. I warmed up to this stranger instantaneously.
I like that he laughed at my jokes and dressed well. He liked that I was funny and dressed well. It was like a match made in heaven.
Almost.
There’s always a caveat, isn’t there?
He was getting perfect 10s on everything. But he lost a point when he told me to flirt with the bartender in order to “upgrade” to stiffer drinks. I mean, why, oh why, would you encourage the girl you’re interested in to flirt with someone else, bar-god-in-charge-of-drinks or not? And he lost another point for not offering to pay 2 euros for me to use the bathroom. Yes, it’s ridiculous that there is a cover charge to use the bathroom inside the club, and yes, it’s ridiculous that it was anything more than 0.50 EUR like all other bathroom-cover-charges. But I didn’t ask him to buy me a single drink all evening (nor did he offer – don’t think I didn’t notice) because I know, I know, we’re all students, traveling, poor, etc. etc. But seriously, when it comes to 2 euros, regardless of what it’s for1, it’s not about the money anymore, it’s about the chivalry. Be a gentleman and at least offer.
Otherwise, we had a fantastic night. He was a great dancer, made even more impressive by the fact that 99% of the Asian guys I have met in my life are terrible dancers and usually skulk on the edge of the dance floor. Although his -2 points made me wonder whether he was The One for me, he was definitely The One for the night. We danced and danced, and when we tired of dancing, we made out on the couches.
You might say, “But SG, you don’t make out with guys when you actually like them!” And you would be right, but we were in Paris, who knew if I was going to see him again?
He was leaving for Barcelona the next day, but he immediately added me on Facebook (+1 for enthusiasm, +1 for not pestering me with demanding messages) and asked for my Skype contact. I didn’t give it to him, because Skype is kind of an escalation of commitment (isn’t it?) and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. Instead, we have been chatting somewhat regularly on Facebook2 and he seems to be looking forward to my arrival in Singapore.
So, at least I have one date when I get to Singapore.
- I know it’s hard for many North Americans to stomach the injustice of having to pay for restrooms, much less restrooms inside of clubs that already charge a 20 euro cover. [↩]
- We’ve been playing a game of Facebook tag because of the time difference. He is still traveling whereas Paris was my last stop. [↩]
I know the 2 euro tax is such a douchebag move especially considering the ridiculous entrance fee. Anyway your night in Paris was lovely. I cannot wait for your Singaporian adventures
I have officially started packing TODAY, so I am in a “Ready, Set, Singapore!” mode… although, first comes China!
Sounds magical in spite of everything… though the asking you to flirt move wasn’t nice at all.
I know right? It was like, “Dude, really?”
sooo romantic to say “oh yes, I met your dad in Paris” haha… ok yeah I’m jumping ahead too much ;D
Woah, yeah jumping waaaay ahead. And I thought I was jumping ahead by thinking of asking him to help me move in when I get to Singapore. Definitely did not think about OUR FUTURE CHILDREN! LOL
I loved Paris!!! :)
I can’t believe it was 4 Euros to use a bathroom. I only paid that once, it was a super, fancy one (it claimed to be the fanciest in Paris). I was curious, and I really had to go.
Oooh. A Singaporean boy… This might be a crazy question, but did he have a Singaporean accent? And did you like that?
I’m very surprised that he didn’t offer to pay for either you washroom pass, or your drinks. The Singaporeans that I met were very hospitable (not that SHB isn’t).
And I think you will find yourself quite popular with the gentlemen in Singapore. From what I know, they seem to love the Asian girl with a Canadian/North American accent ;)
PS. Does SHB stand for Singaporean Hot Boy?
Oops, I meant to write 2 euros – not 4!
I’m glad the Singaporeans that you met were hospitable. But our men would not think of paying for girls to go to the washroom. Maybe it’s due to the fact that most of our washrooms do not need paying, but they don’t usually pay for our drinks either.
But I do agree that Singaporean men will like SG. Accents are a plus with a lot of boys here.
They don’t pay for drinks? Oh, I didn’t know that. I guess it’s a cultural difference then, not just him. Good to know! Thank you!
I love Paris too!!! I can’t wait to go back!
lol SHB stands for Singaporean Hat Boy. You can hover over the acronym to see the full name. (Maybe I should write a disclaimer about that somewhere on my blog…)
He didn’t have a very strong accent when he spoke English actually. I didn’t mind it, although it didn’t make him more attractive necessarily – I’m an Australian accent girl myself.
It probably had something to do with the fact that he’s traveling – he seemed short on cash that night. But he /did/ have 2 euros and did end up paying for the bathroom when I asked if he had change, because I actually didn’t. I still wish he’d gotten brownie points by offering first.
Wow, that sounds like such a fun trip and what a great photo you took! It sounds like you had a lot of adventures, and how exciting that you met a nice guy, too. You’re right, I’m from NA and I cannot imagine having to pay to use the bathroom after you’ve been buying drinks and paying a cover for the club itself. That seems kind of expensive to me!
We didn’t actually have to pay cover for the club because we were with a pub crawl (that we paid for) so entry fee was included. But I can’t imagine going clubbing and paying 20 euros just to get in, then 10 euros per drink, and even 2 euros for the bathroom! That’s ridiculous! Granted, they did warn us about the steep prices at the “nicer” clubs, and this was on the Champs-Elysees.
Still, I would not be able to justify those costs, and wouldn’t have come to a place like this if it weren’t for the pub crawl.
Reading your first paragraph about your Parisian activities made me smile. I so wish I was there!
I do hope you remain (at least) friends with SHB and that things don’t get weird or anything; it’s always nice to know more S’porean dudes before you come here. Less of a culture shock :D
We are now chatting on Skype – it’s official.
And he gets +1 for offering to pick me up at the airport with a sign. Heehee.
Yes, I’m trying to make as many SG friends as possible so that I’m not totally alone when I land on the island ;)
SHB is starting an “induction program” where he teaches me Singaporean slang. Soo… apparently cell phones are called “hand phones” in SG? I’ve never heard that used anywhere else.
hahahah! yeah what, u have to pay to use the bathroom o__o;;;
anyways, i’ve never had that before but that really really sucks@______@
im glad you met someone though, yeah, my exboyfriend didnt even pay for our FIRST date together, i dont need guys to pay for me but it was like, uhh, you chased me for this long then give me a speech about equality?!
yeah , i dumped him within a week
not bc of that but just, come on, you dont wanna be with a guy that’s that wimpy and weak.
yeah, ok, it still sounds amazing!
Well, you have to pay to use public bathrooms all over Paris, but I’m used to paying like 0.50 Euros or at most 0.80 Euros. 2 Euros is just absurd, especially considering this was already inside an establishment!
I normally offer to pay for myself if a guy offers to pay for me, but I’d still like to see the gesture.
I hear it’s a place for dreamers. I want to go so bad. Magical things happen there and it sounds like it happen to you too. :)
It’s not all dreamy. A lot of what people said they didn’t like about Paris is still true, like how it smells like urine in a lot of places (especially near the Seine). The Seine is only romantic at night, during the day, it’s just an ugly river. Pont Neuf could be romantic if it weren’t full of drunkies who hit on you when you’re trying to enjoy a peaceful stroll (I even had my friend pretend to be my boyfriend and it still didn’t deter them! Sigh, French men). And if you come in peak tourist season (July or August), there will be a lot of tourists everywhere you go. I’m glad we went a little early to get a more “real” Parisian experience. Since I had been warned about disappointment, I braced myself and I ended up not the least bit disappointed. So I’m doing the same for you :)
MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE CITY :)
After this trip, I can definitely say, ME TOO!
Hey, great to have a headstart somewhere! haha I agree that he should have at least treated you a little bit…(Isn’t that just common courtesy?), or offered, but otherwise sounds like a good guy. I’m really interested to hear more about this Fiancee boy, though, lol.
Oh man, my mom is making it out to be a big deal. I kind of regret telling her that I would be staying with him in Hong Kong..
I lived in Europe for 2 years. Only 3 hours away from Paris and never visited! I kick myself in the butt about it constantly! I really want to pay Paris a visit!
It’s totally worth it! You should go if you get a chance again. And I would recommend 1-2 weeks, Paris just cannot be done in a few days.
dude this sounds like a romance novel and then the 20 euro bathroom charge just ruined it for me.
yes i’m north american where we pee for free ;)
hope the guy can gain a couple points back when you two reconnect again.
We also get water for free! Not so in most restaurants in Europe. Sigh.
He has already gained a few points. +1 for offering to pick me up at the airport (with a sign!), and +2 for agreeing to help me move (from hotel to condo). Yay!