The public transportation in Paris is excellent! Superb!
On the 20-minute train ride to the antique market, I imagined what it would look like and was curious about what I would see and learn that day. Nevertheless, I was also a bit nervous and anxious about the unknown. Still, I realized I had chosen this adventure, and what better way to experience it than with my new Parisian friend, a local expert?
As we walked approximately 10 minutes from the Porte de Clignancourt train station to the market, I observed how different this area was from Paris Center. The market seemed to be in a humble neighborhood full of art.
Once we arrived at the market, my Parisian friend was all business. She showed me images of specific pieces of art she wanted to see in person and proudly mentioned how good her negotiation skills were. If I were lucky, I would be able to witness them today.
I have learned that the French only invite you for an afternoon coffee, lunch, or dinner if they like you, so I felt honored to be invited for tea. I also learned that they also don't open up much about their personal life to new friendships, especially if you are visiting; they know you won't be here in the long term, so no effort is made to create a friendship when you are leaving soon. Understanding this helped me immensely to understand and appreciate the culture while living in Paris during my creative sabbatical.
The Antique Market in Paris
The antique market, a labyrinth of vintage treasures, housed hundreds of shops brimming with exquisite relics of the past. Each item was a masterpiece, whispering old tales, from delicate jewelry to opulent clothing. Every shop had its own style and story, and the shop next to it looked different from the next shop. People working in these shops seemed to be simple but good at negotiating; I have also learned that this is the only place in Paris where you can negotiate the price of something, only at the markets. Also, if you speak English in these markets, the starting price to negotiate would be significantly higher than if you spoke fluent French, so I did my best not to speak English and only speak Spanish with some broken French.
I love this chair! copyright
Negotiating in an Antique Market
The negotiations took a while; I observed my Parisian friend negotiating a painting from 2,400 to 1,300 euros! At the end of the negotiation, while conversing with the antique shop owner, he said my friend was a tough negotiator. Pre-negotiation, they were chatting and exchanging pleasantries, making each other feel good, complementing the shop, and showing empathy. The owner was more enthused to help her find the painting she wanted and get it for the right price. After the negotiation, French pleasantries don't stop. It is a sort of flirtation or seduction where both parties want to ensure they leave the exchange in harmony and even friendship! I thought it might have been manipulation from both parties, but I realized it is the culture; camaraderie is expected and respected. I must admit that I can put this observation into words thanks to the book "The French Ingredient" by Jane Bertch, which helped me gain insight into French culture.
I was observing part of this business transaction happen when I suddenly got my eye on some vintage jewelry. It made me curious about its history and why it is here, not as a family heirloom. Customers will marble at the items through the store window, making it a pleasant invitation to come into the shop. The owners were relaxing with friends when no customers were around, with no stress or worries, even though it was cold, 37 degrees F, and rainy. Cold and wet, just the perfect combination to be cranky, but they were still standing and smiling. I enjoyed every moment of it even though I was cold and wet.
Vintage Clothes - Don't Touch!
One of the vintage clothing stores required white gloves before touching anything in the store. Everything was in order and cataloged by brand. It was beautiful to see. More than a desire to buy anything, I was in awe by contemplating the beauty of years past by great designers with an eye for fashion and decor. It really transported me to the 1800s and 1920s- 1930s. What an art. No photos were allowed at the clothing shops :(.
A Day to Remember!
After this fabulous experience, we took the metro back to the 6th arrondissement, where we enjoyed an aperitif from our shared love for espresso martinis and a delicious Italian dinner. She was happy with her paintings, and I was delighted with how the events transpired when I said YES to a new experience, even though I was a bit uncomfortable at the beginning of the experience. It subsided throughout the day as I gained more confidence to leave my comfort zone.
In summary, to my surprise, I had spent more than 8 hours with a stranger, and although the conversations between us required a Google translator, my broken French was mixed with her broken English and her copious amount of cigarettes; I was so happy to experience the new adventure. It was an unforgettable day because I was truly transported to the old Paris, along with the stories these antiques will hold forever, and a fellowship I never knew existed here. I had grown more on this day!
À bientôt!
J'aime Paris <3!