A Lesson on Kissing // Domaine de Chantilly.

Jun 30, 2016
2 min read

So, it happened.

And sooner than I expected, to be perfectly honest. I know that the French are infamous kissers, but considering where I'm staying for the week, (which is in Louvres; not really central to the stereotypical behaviours of the city), I was kind of blindsided when the repair man greeted me this afternoon with the side of his face...

Now, don't get me wrong! I'm here to submerge myself. I want to be culturally appropriate, I want to take in everything that this new, exciting country has to offer. But like, a little warning would've just been appreciated...Regardless, I kissed the man and we all sat down for dinner (because apparently in France, if you have someone over fixing the roof on your shed, naturally he's invited for the meal). Being the only foreigner in the group present to eat, as my AirBNB host had SO kindly asked me to join with them in the garden, my confusion and slight embarrassment must've been written all over my freshly-smooched face and a few of the english-speaking attendants began to explain:

"In some parts, you kiss twice; in others, it's three times."

"My brother, he will only kiss me, no other man. Most men shake hands - like this!"

"I will only kiss one man at work, but he's from Brazil - they're already touchy, so..."

"Most non-French, they think it's like...how do you say it? Weird?"

"Really, you never know what to do, even when you're from here. So just go along with whatever they do, that's best."

The conversation went on for a bit, sliding easily from choppy english into full-blown french, at which point I just ate my pasta quietly and listened admiringly to the beautifully incomprehensible chitchat. What I'll take away from dinner tonight - you maybe kiss once, maybe twice, but no matter what, you always use butter, and put shredded cheese on EVERYTHING.

And for good measure - Domaine de Chantilly! Friends, I went to a castle today! And it was breathtaking. I've seen a castle or two [note: exactly two] in my lifetime, but this one blew all of them right out of the freaking water. I didn't go inside, due to having a puppy present, but the outside and the grounds alone were enough to have me in total awe. My "guides" for the day were like, "umm yeah, it's the castle. It's kinda cool, if you're into that thing..." because, of course, they've spent their entire lives just 20 minutes down the road from it, but I definitely earned my "Tacky Tourist" badge today, let me tell you!!

Anyway, here are the few photos I snapped from the day - enjoy!