Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cultural Differences?

French men can be quite charming, endearing and flirtatious. Generally speaking it's a good thing as Martha would say and I'm like like bring it on. However, I find it problematic that whenever I go to a party with mixed sexes I always end up chatting up some French cutie only to find out much later in the evening that he is actually dating or married to some other chic in the room. What's up with that?

Take for instance this guy:


Does the guy in this video seem attached to you?


And then there's the guy from the New Year's Eve party that I attended. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of that culprit.

In New York in most social settings I am able to discern almost instantly who was available and who was spoken for but here in Paris I apparently don't have a clue. Just when I've perfected my algorithm to determine whether the guy I'm chatting with is European/metrosexual or gay I need to come up with a new algorithm to determine whether or not he's single. I guess the simpler thing to do would be to ask outright but that's just not my style.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's interesting, I think the French seem to just love flirting and think it's a natural part of interaction between the sexes whether parties be single or not. But I always wondered whether that was just a stereotype or what..
And despite another stereotype, couples don't seem to be affectionate in public at all so one could easily have no idea who was with who..

islandgirl4ever2 said...

I think that even if you asked up front... if the guy was interested in you and wanted "something" he wouldn't necessarily tell you the truth about being married or in a relationship... I think it's up to you to "perfect" you radar...

islandgirl4ever2 said...

I think that even if you asked up front... if the guy was interested in you and wanted "something" he wouldn't necessarily tell you the truth about being married or in a relationship... I think it's up to you to "perfect" you radar...

Anonymous said...

European men are natural flirters! So that makes it tough. I do like a little flirtation, though. . .so obviously, I'm of no help :)

A (Parisian) Seattleite back in Seattle said...

I've been chatted up by married men at a couple of parties even after I make it clear that I have a boyfriend (you'd think them being married would be enough). Whenever it happens I'm tempted to ask "Does your wife know how you are when she's not around?"

Ducky said...

The *married* folk you can generally tell apart by the wedding ring. Those who merely have girlfriends (and many many French people cohabitate without being married)... you'll have to guess.