I have always heard "the opposites attract each other" but i have always doubted about it... but i have to say i am changing my mind enfin presque!
my bboy as i like to call him, is someone i could have never seen myself with HE oui!
First he is American ( please don't take any offense about what i am going to write!!! i am speaking about my "case"!) and i am Francaise: two countries who love each other so much but it is another debate...
so as an american he likes his country and he is very proud of it, Moi i couldn't care less i don't stand up when they sing the Marseillaise ( I have never been asked to do so!).
When we speak VETEMENTS ( clothing) that's different. my love cheri couldn't care less what he wears, he could wear a sweatshirt with holes it doesn't matter ( his answer is " i love it it feels comfortable!) and i am AU SECOURS! how can you wear sweatshirts with holes?!? Do i sound French? yes i know.
For us ( French people), even if you go out to buy a baguette you have to be at least HABILLE et oui, jeans, sweatshirts ( no holes! my mum could die) shoes but NO WHITE SOCKS, please!
As a kid i have always been told " s' il te plait tiens toi correctement" meaning "please behave correctly" sitting at table.
The first time, we went to a restaurant. ( I forgot to say, table manners in France is a really sensitive subject......)
As i have been told and as i have been doing for 20 years, i put my napkin on my laps waiting for the food.
My love cheri left it on the table ( ok c est un detail i admit it).
Then they brought us our glasses of wine.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE DID???!!
he has started to drink without saying "tchintchin" i was shocked! ( believe it or not i am easy going!!!) and then, i asked him "don't you cheer in the US?" And he simply answers "OUI we do" with such a detached air like what is the problem!? Ok, great! but in the end we cheered! HOURRAY!
Then they brought up the food and we started to eat, when all of sudden i raised my head and i saw my bboy " fighting" with his steak as i am staring at the scene, i can't help it but laugh and i am thinking what is he doing?!?!
He had planted his fork in the middle of ths steak and with this other hand ( obviously) he was trying to cut a piece: i had never seen someone trying to cut a steak like this!!! and then he looked at me and asked me "why are you laughing?" and i tried to explain to him how he should try to cut his steak but it was
'en vain"... after this episode, i told next time we should just get a sandwich! easier!
I think the best part of our relationship is the music. My love cheri loves but loves Rock ( me too but not all of it!!!) but some rock i have never heard before! i can't even give a name of a band! And when i ask him do you like this... he replies who is that... Ce n est pas gagne! But in the end we find a compromise on his itunes we have a folder for him and a folder for me! Isn't it great?! so one time it is turn and the other time it is MY turn!
Despite all those "differences" i could write 10 posts about the subject! I have come up to realize that we have something really unique and magic: our ability to communicate and to be comfortable with each other's differences. He taught me that backgrounds and languages are nothing when we believe in the person and also that everything can change.... He is learning French....
One day I'll tell you about my dear friend Virginie who married a Dominican guy... that was a challenging relationship as far as culture!
Anyway, I'm glad things are good with your new guy. So, what would be the next step in the perfect typical american relationship? Are your already "exclusive"?
Posted by: Audrey | December 05, 2005 at 12:15 PM
How wonderful. One of the best things about living someplace other than your homeland is learning and sharing differences with someone. By the way, I was raised here in the US to not go out with sweats with holes:)
Posted by: Eileen | December 03, 2005 at 10:37 PM