Here I've caught one:
The French love their wine, but also, they love their---cigarette. The number of smokers in Europe is staggering. I don't have the exact figure, but with my naked eyes, I've made a very rough estimation. Approximately out of every 4 people (especially the young teenagers), there is at least 1 smoker. Even more girls smoke than the boys. Sadly, the romantic imagery of french sipping their coffee outdoors on a sunny day is also for the convenience of smoking. This is drastic compare to the States where I can count with two hands out of all the people I know who smoke (smoking tobacco that is, not the other grass). I have no idea how they can still think smoking is COOL. Are you serious!? I must do the old-fashioned, mother preaching voice here, "Kids! Put down that cigarette!"
There are some intervening methods, which are not working. Literally, the front of the cigarette box, it says, "Smoking kills." The other sides has a phone number you can call if you are rich and you want to quite smoking. I am curious to what they say in there. Is it kind of like the rejection line? Oh, you don't know about the rejection line? Ha, you are lucky then (not that I have direct experience with it myself, I mean of course not, right?)
Okay, time to explain the rejection line... You are in a bar, after a few drinks, all the chicks or dudes start to looking hotter and hotter. With the boost of alcohol in your veins, you muster up the courage to ask for the phone number of a certain quite attractive counter sex to kindly give you a chance. He or she smiles awkwardly, out of kindness, writes his or her number, and leaves the conversation. I mean maybe (s)he is just shy, you think to yourself. It is your lucky day! You can't wait to call, you think about it all the time. When, where, how. Is it too soon? is it a good time? is he or she in the middle of something? What can you say that can be remotely interesting and possibly lead to a date? You don't want to seem desperate; you don't want to seem like a real loser. Finally, you have waited until the golden rule--3days--has painstakingly passed, you called the number. It leads to an answer machines that says, "If you have received this number, it means whoever gave you the number doesn't like you. You have been rejected!" You slam the phone, you cuss the cruelty of the opposite sex, you cuss the world, you cuss man kind, and you cuss the beauty of the rejection line. And next time, you give out the same magic number...
So, back to smoking (and sorry for conjuring up the memories of all your failed dates now, wipe those tears) Well, I don't know what they say in the smoking line, but one thing for sure is that they will get you to spend that euro. Hey, at least the rejection line is free!
I hope this baby will not grow up to be a smoker, if not an alcoholic.
The good thing is after a few drinks, the french are much more open than usual. But in Toulouse, I was impressed that people didn't need that help to be friendly and welcoming. Here is Sébastien dancing with the paper towel in the kitchen. (don't ask)
The second night, I stayed in a 12 students co-ed. With lots of music, good food, and laughter =)
This guy is amazing at playing all the popular Mario songs by ear. And Later I found out his name is---Yannick!
It's so nasty to listen to my own voice, but I can't seem to get the video editing to work. So this clip is at its very natural self...=( And yes, I have no idea why I kept on insisting to put Mario in the water. Here is how it goes Yannick! Learn it and play it for me!
Another one...
Seems like Yannick and Sébastien are never at sync with each other.
I felt so at home here and really enjoyed the company of those friendly hosts. Aww... what's not to love... life is great.
"To be, or not to be" "Toulouse or not to lose" I've decided to not lose, and make Toulouse my new home.
Come to Toulouse! You will have nothing to lose =D
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