　おいしい！

Sunday, July 22, 2007

I was walking along the Champs Elysées the other day when an old man approached me outside the entrance of Monoprix. Here's the gist of the conversation translated from French.

OM (Old Man): Do you have a moment?

Me: Ya?

OM: I am an artist and am currently looking for subjects for my work as I will have an exhibition in Italy at the end of this year. I find your face interesting as I'm doing a kind of experiment on painting different faces across nationalities to exhibit the sensibilities of the human nature. Would you like to assist me in my project?

Me: (Not wanting to come across as rude) Oh ok.

OM: Will you have time this evening to be the subject of my painting?

Me: (Totally not so sure and feel like walking off) No, I'm sorry but I can't make it this evening. (Why am I even entertaining him?)

OM: Tell you what, let's exchange our contacts. (Hands me his name card) I'm from the company Artemis (which is shown by the logo of the namecard) and I am Claude Joncour. (Handwritten in pen)

Me: Erm... are you famous in France?

OM: Of course, I am famous.

Me: Can I give you my email address instead?

OM: Nono! I don't go online. I'll need your handphone number.

Me: (Really don't know how to reject and walk off, thus stupidly hand over my number) Here.

OM: It's a pleasure to chat with you and I'll call you soon.

Me: (Stunned!) Am I being hit on by an old French man??!!

Thus I went back at night and googled the name. There's a Claude Joncour doing sculpting and designs on skateboards but there's no such Claude Joncour who paints. Furthermore, I found nothing with regards to his exhibitions in Italy. Felt grossed out! Sigh. I mean this is Paris. The arty-farty city where things like being approached by real artist might happen. I won't mind being the subject of a real painter! But face it, what the old man said to me is just a load of crap! I should have known better. I had huge shades on. Which part of the face did he actually manage to see to deem it interesting. x_x

........................................................................

Next day

Handphone rang and I picked it up

OM: Hello there. It's me Claude. Since the exhibition is drawing up real close and I need time to paint, shall we meet this afternoon to discuss further?

Me: Mr Joncour, I think I've changed my mind after all. I'm not so sure I want to do it.

OM: (Surprised) But why not? I thought we agreed?

Me: (Squeezing my brain juices out) Oh, my husband wasn't so keen when I told him about it.

OM: Oh! Don't worry about that. Why don't we meet at a café and discuss more about the project? You can tell me about your reservations and we will take it from there.

Me: (Very frank and straightforward)Sorry, but I don't think so. Well, I thought you told me you are famous? I went on the internet and couldn't find any information on you. You do not have any information at all on the net? (Felt almost stupid for asking)

OM: (Stunned silence) No. I do not have information on the internet.

Me: Well, I guess it doesn't work then. I'm sorry. Have a good day and bye. (I hung up)

Is that just gross or what? Fancy being hit on by an imposter. Can't stand it when he thinks I'm as gullible as some China girls. (No offence to China girls as some of them are even deemed smart, it's just the stigma) I won't know how to check on the internet to verify my safety? Sigh. But I guess I'm naive to think that he might be a real painter. Who knows? Human beings are suspicious by nature. There won't be a second time.

I must learn to say no. Back off old pépés!

Labels: se faire draguer

4:42 pm　うまい！Y