The Nicest People I Know.

So, somewhat not surprisingly, but at the same time, hey, we're in France, some of the nicest people I know are city workers (SANS police, stupid popo).

Garbage Men: Every once and a while I shoot them a smile while I'm riding past and they usually respond unless they are brain dead as they are usually working at 10pm at night or 7am in the morning. Some other times when I'm trying to get by their trucks they actually would point me in the right direction (either to the left or the right) as they are figuring out a puzzle for me. Endearing, no?

Post Office: Everytime I go there, with usually strange requests, they couldn't be nicer and if they don't know English (as most Parisians switch into English when they realize I suck at French) they at least attempt to speak slower or make sure I completely understand what's going on.

Construction Workers: One classic example that sticks out in my head is from a couple of months ago. I was going home on the metro sometime late at night and since I live the second to last stop on my line there weren't many other people on the train car with me. We pull up to the station before my stop and there are a handfull of twenty something metro construction workers doing something or other on the platform. One of them starts to stare at me, delightful, and opens the metro car door. And something along the lines of "hey, you should come out here and hang out with us." "no, it's late. I have to go home." "maybe tomorrow night?" "maybe." is said in French. (don't worry Mom, he wasn't being creepy, he was genuinely trying to be cute)