It's been difficult to respond to the question "How's Paris?" of late. Paris is amazing. Of course. Everyone knows that. Paris could be completely charming under 9 out of the 10 biblical plagues. Raining locusts? Why, locusts would compliment the muted greys of Parisian buildings just splendidly!
But, Paris is largely irrelevant to my quotidien. Sciences Po is not Paris, Sciences Po is a crock pot of simmering academic rage at the moment. I didn't think it had gotten to me until yesterday.
I kicked someone. A stranger.
And she totally deserved it.
I delivered a (gentle) kick to the shins to an American girl eating a tuna and egg sandwich across from me in the library yesterday.
In my defense, I wouldn't have kicked her if:
1) This had been her first offense (she was eating a panini last time)
2) The library weren't so crowded that I was practically face-first in her egg baguette. (EGG, people, EGGs in the library)
3) I hadn't been in the library for 6 hours in a row already.
I passed it off as an accident. But I don't regret it. Not only is it stinky; she's in FRANCE. The only place where public social norms are stronger than in Britain. Whereas in London people just look away uncomfortably, in Paris they will MAKE YOU PAY. I consider my foot merely an instrument of public opinion.
To the anonymous library glutton, I offer this warning: If I have to follow social norms, so don't you, my pudgy compatriote. Don't MAKE me kick you again.
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2 comments:
Sounds like something I would do =P
Sciences Po is killing me slowly and I am taking my aggression out on anyone and everyone. Hang in there. If you need to hit someone, you can come and knock me senseless so maybe then I could get through the next 3 weeks without remembering anything!!!
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