Waiting for Good Things

“The French are unruly.” “The French can’t line up.”

N’importe quoi. Nonsense.

The French can and will line up and wait in daily life.

Illustration: Scene captured recently on market day in Saumur, Loire Valley.

As they stand outside the small local fromagerie, anticipating their turn and mentally reviewing what they might be ordering when it’s their time to stand in front of the counter, they wait.

Patiently. Aware of personal space. Focused.

Pourquoi? Why?

Because (good) food matters. Choosing the location. Selecting the product. Bringing it home in the right packaging. Serving it the right way, at the right time. Savoring it.

That’s worth waiting in line for, outside la fromagerie, la boulangerie, ou la boucherie.

My French life.