And a childhood confession….
I spent a wonderful time living in a van in France this summer – you can see my adventures hier. (If you have experience, tips, or expertise when it comes to buying a camper, please hit ‘reply’ and let me know – I’m thinking of buying one next year, I loved it so much!)
THE FRENCH WOMEN AND THEIR NUTS
One day I found myself in a cafe, enjoying a lovely wine and staring at the gorgeous tiny town I found myself in. There were 3 French women at a table nearby who were enjoying a glass of bubbles, and their laughter was just as sparkly as their drinks.
I love watching people interact and connect, and so enjoyed watching these women in deep conversation together. At one point, the waiter brought them a tiny (tiny!) dish full of nuts. It was so elegant and graceful. (In America, they bring you a small bucket. Maybe made of plastic. We can learn a lot from these Frenchies, I tell ya.)
This tiny thimble of nuts was placed in the center of the table.
No one took a nut. At least, not for the first few minutes. They just carried on with their conversation and laughter. (In my family, talking stops and chomping starts when food is brought. It’s every man for himself. Kill or be killed. Grab a huge handful now because god forbid someone would take a nut that you had your eyes on. Obviously I was raised by wolves, which becomes painfully obvious when I am in France.
I held my breath.
Would someone take a nut? Who would take one first?
HOW could they keep on talking while this thimble of untouched nuts was sitting, there, begging to be devoured?
I held my breath.
Finally, after years of talking, one woman… took one nut.
One. Nut.
She savored it. She ate it very slowly. Like in tiny bites. I had no idea you could even eat a nut this way. I could not help myself – I sat there mesmerized as she made 1 nut last a very, very long time. Then about a decade later, one of her friends did the same. One tiny nut, in tiny bites.
Those women kept on talking and laughing.
They had about 4 nuts per person, spread out over the entire evening.
They left the cafe with nuts left in the dish. I have never, ever seen this before. Leaving a table with nuts still in the dish? Who ARE these people?
MY LESSON
The night was golden, glorious, and a gift for me.
That night taught me something meaningful and important.
That savoring every moment is precious.
That even the tiniest of things can be treasured, savored, and cherished.
That I was indeed raised by wolves, but there is hope.
I’m nuts about this concept!
Liefs,
Buffi
