16 Comments

All good points, Oliver! Félicitations on ten wonderful years lived in this city! Can't wait to read your next book, in which you will tell (I presume) some of the stories you've gathered in those years.

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Thanks Janet. Plot twist: There'll be another book before I get around to another memoir ;)

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Hmm. Very interesting! Can’t wait to learn more :-)

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What a great list! Though I don't live here in Paris (Yet!) my visits have shown and the people I know who do live there have said very similar things! Can't wait to return later this month À Bientôt Paris. Félicitations Oliver !

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Thanks so much Danyel!

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Decciversary? Is this a good word? Have a great one!

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Sounds good to me :)

Thanks!

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Congrats on an eventful decade filled with personal and professional achievements. I am happy we've been in touch through most of these 10 years, even before I relocated back to France! Long live the Earful Tower and its many projects, ongoing and future. Bravo, Oliver. Signed: One of your French friends (with an international background.) ;-)

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What a fabulous 10 Years Oliver , so impressed how you have built your wonderful business and you gorgeous family . Yes I am waiting for your second memoir hugs from the Mornington Peninsula Carole and John xxx

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I find it so interesting to read about the cultural nuances in other places around the world. The fact that no is an invitation for convincing is surprising. The Parisian preference for directness explains why a lot of people think of locals as being rude!

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"Believe in your French" is going to be my new mantra. I have studied consistently for 27 years! Twenty-seven!! I speak French very well. (I hope.) But, get me on the phone with my doctor's secretary and, well, I stop believing in my French. That lack of faith then sloshes over into the next conversation I have, and the next French discussion group I attend. Merci!

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Loved this and congrats on the 10 year mark! There's certainly some crossover here with Spain, mainly being direct, and the "‘No’ can mean ‘convince me’" piece had me laughing out loud. Rings very true here. I am still learning the fine line between knowing when to throw in the towel and accept the no, and when to keep trying to convince. Spanish people seem to intuitively have the knack!

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I just visited the College des Bernardins for the first time today! Decades of visiting and living in Paris, and I never knew about it before! Also tried to visit the nearby refectoire des Cordeliers for the first time—unfortunately it was closed for a private event.

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What a wonderful post! And congratulations on the 10~yr mark.

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super great stuff!

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I’ve spent most of my life in the United States but my parents were French. Going way back both sides. I just got a talking to by my manager because of my candor during client meets. If that doesn’t prove that. I’m French I don’t know what does. 😜

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