What a great piece! I think about this a lot. In France, many spaces and practices have stayed the same for so long that it's become part of what drives people to visit here while simultaneously prompting frustration (Lines are so long! Why does the baker have to talk to every person and wrap each purchase separately? Why won't the waiter deliver the bill? Can't they see I've finished eating?)... what people miss/forget/ignore are the preciously held (and very human-based) norms and manners that conflict with productivity and efficiency above all else. BUT, the answer moving forward can't just be to look back with fondness and nostalgia. I'll be very curious to see where it all leads. Thank you for writing and look forward to reading more. -Romy
What a great piece! I think about this a lot. In France, many spaces and practices have stayed the same for so long that it's become part of what drives people to visit here while simultaneously prompting frustration (Lines are so long! Why does the baker have to talk to every person and wrap each purchase separately? Why won't the waiter deliver the bill? Can't they see I've finished eating?)... what people miss/forget/ignore are the preciously held (and very human-based) norms and manners that conflict with productivity and efficiency above all else. BUT, the answer moving forward can't just be to look back with fondness and nostalgia. I'll be very curious to see where it all leads. Thank you for writing and look forward to reading more. -Romy
Love this comment. Fascinating to think about a way forward in different cultural contexts with different norms and manners. Thanks for sharing, Romy.