Leche Vitrine- Watching the Window Watchers

Today was our first day to be in Paris as a family. Although, I would call it half a day since the first half was in the air, or in transit, or napping to catch up and recover from jet lag. So, after our “introduction” to Paris, we found ourselves maneuvering the rainy streets and puddles of "our" street- Saint Germain des Pres, in the sixth arrondissement of Paris, on a very gray first day.

 I tried my best to look “Parisian” but despite my best efforts and to my great frustration, apparently, I was spotted as American even before I opened my mouth, and even though I tried to instigate and carry on French conversation. I asked my boys about this later, and M said it was because I was too nice, and didn’t carry my “Bonjour!” greeting with a bored face. LOL. If I’m too friendly, well, then so be it.

This evening, we headed home with our meats, cheeses, pastas, wine, and yes, the quintessential and necessary baguette- to make dinner at our “home” apartment. As we entered, I decided to move a chair towards the windows, which open up out onto the street, overlooking some very pricey shops with extremely creative window dressings. Currently, our unit façade is being renovated, and therefore, we were able to negotiate a better deal on the week’s stay. However, the netting over the scaffolding still affords a clear view of the street, the shops, and people passing by.

 I found myself completely absorbed in people watching. TV off, phone put away, nothing in my hands, but a glass of red wine. As I watched the people passing by, I noticed that even in the rain, they slowed down to peruse the shop windows. After watching a while, I pondered it aloud to Martin- remarking that I had read somewhere, in preparation for our travels, that there is a slang saying in Paris (“leche vitrine”)- “licking the window”. When I read this, I immediately pictured the moment of “licking a bowl” of the dish that appeases your senses but leaves you wishing for more.

 As I watched the Parisians walk by, I noticed that not just one, but two, then three begin to slow their steps to peruse the window and/or the one next to it, obviously “leche vitrine”. The one window had a blue/gray background, and a set up that looked a bit like a kitchen with the blue/gray counters behind the mannequins- both dressed in men’s clothing- one with some very trendy narrow legged French jeans, and a dark blue puffy vest. Nothing too striking, in my opinion. I laughed aloud and commented to the boys that it was funny to watch the people walk by and get “caught”. After a few minutes I started to notice people not only slowing their steps, but doing full on double takes, slowing down, and going back to look at the displays. A few actually followed up by going in. What in the world was so effectively catching their eye? I wondered aloud that this must be some kind of art form for them to stop what they’re doing and look at a set up of clothes, because in the US, well, we run past this stuff without a second thought. We talked about how de-sensitized we must be to walk past all that beauty and intentional art, and not even see it. How we always have heads down, mission on, and miss things around us.

 After a while, I was laughing and laughing, because it happened over, and over and over. It became such a spectacle that the boys became curious and came over and sat by the window and started to watch, and laugh…. “Here comes the next victim!” We laughed and laughed as over and over the passerbyers became caught in the “web of the shop window”. At one point, I had to leave my spot at the window, and the boys said, "don’t worry mom, we’ll keep watching!" One of the last victims of the night was a guy riding by on a unicycle, who elected to double back, stop and pause at both windows….. that became a highlight of the night’s spectacle. We lost interest at some point, but decided that the next day we would watch to see if candy and chocolate displays garnered the same respect as fashion.

In the days that followed, I slowed down at the shop windows- letting my eyes take in the vibrant colors, well-made products and intentional art that had been created for me. And while I soaked it all in, I will say, I’m pretty proud of the will power I exercised at only “licking the window” and not buying what was in it. Well, with one exception…. You’ll hear about that later.

 I’d like to challenge you to slow down, double back, take a look around you; and let me know what commonplace, every day things you begin to appreciate and see.