(originally written 10-26-12)
I've been out on assignment for the last week in Paris. I've learned some things during this trip that’s dawned on me with more weight then the years previous. Age does that, doesn't it. Perspective is a fast track to the discovery of subjectivity in all human experience, and shit, the more of it, the better.
Most of the things learned are of a personal nature. I usually forget most of these insights once settled back into my norm, but still, its a good feeling and you can't take that away from me.
But, what I am most preoccupied with is the refinement of Parisians in aspects of society, compared to us Americans. The dress code, the social habits, the little nuances. We slobber over our apple pie, and they, with a fork in left hand, nibble at those little pastries with the delicacy of a surgeon. Ironically, with all these refinements, Paris doesn't understand the concept of customer service. And, this is NOT just my little opinion. This is a known fact, like that of gravity, or the law of inertia (yes, i understand, we are past linear Newtonianism’s, but entertain me this one time).