Fury

 I had to go to the La Colle Cafe to meet my friend/mechanic and the old guy, Jean Michel to talk out what I have to do in regards to the new car….they are 100% behind me getting the new/used. 

I knew that the man that made the political diatribe about the US that got so under my skin would be there. I bit my tongue and was cordial. I was so happy that they talked me through all I had to do and talked out the car situation with me.

I didn’t need translation but my friend Fred, the mechanic seems to think I do….but, he is always trying to be helpful and kind. 

They gave me great info…I bought everyone a cafe/ coffee ( the custom) ….I had to have a Perrier as I had to have something but they charge 4 euro…the servers know I don’t want ice…pas de glace. I can’t bear to drink all of that coffee. I already had a big coffee at home and you really can't have nothing.

I feel guilty if I have nothing…the rules are strict yet unsaid there.

Anyway…when I first got there I heard the conversation …something American between the culprit and Jean Michel. I ignored it.

After about 20 minutes I needed to go…we were talking about the car I am about to buy and was saying that the US to French exchange is bad! At the moment…that gave the person in question the opening to say something nasty about the US…I had been alert and I had had enough from him. 

I never speak up but really, I have not been confronted with this in awhile. I was standing and I just went off…he giggled like an idiot telling me that in France they speak their mind, unlike the US…what????? I would not get into a political argument with him….I told him that NO ONE

talks this way around me or that I have heard…not in conversation. I told him that the last time he really hurt my feeling and that if he has any respect for me at all, he would not talk about this around me.  So there…I stuck up for myself and that is a feat. 

The 2 other men just watched…Fred knew I was angry about it so he was not surprised. It was in English so whatever he told them when I left was his translation.

I am proud of myself. It’s so offensive to me. My poor conditioned brain goes over and over it but all and all, I am happy with the blast. He deserved it.