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The cookie crumbles
By Ann | September 29, 2009
I try not to complain too much (oh, who am I kidding? I complain all the time) but I really was a little blue this weekend. Paris has been basking in the hot sunshine of an Indian summer and when the weather is beautiful I miss having CK around to share it.
So, I was definitely Crabby Crab von Crabmeister when I went into Pierre Hermé on Sunday to pick up a box of sablées au chocolat as a gift for some friends. My crankiness was only compounded by the long line and the tourists in front of me who, though perfectly sweet, insisted on speaking broken French to the guy behind the counter, who clearly spoke perfect English. It. Took. Forever.
When I finally got to the front of the line, the cashier informed me that the minimum credit card purchase was 15€. My total? 14€.
“Do you want to add a macaron?” she asked.Yesssss! Anything to escape the sugar-deprived crowd packed into the narrow confines of Pierre Hermé’s boutique. I selected a chocolate macaron. Why? Because it was the first one I saw.
The serveur slipped it into a bag, where it rattled against the walls of the clear plastic sack. Perhaps he thought it looked a bit lonely because he paused to ask me, “Pourrais-je vous offrir encore un macaron?”
At first, I was so surprised, I thought I misunderstood him. But then I regained my composure enough to graciously accept my free macaron, selecting one of rose and quince. It was a lovely gesture, enough to sweeten my day (and my temper). And even though I accidentally smashed them on my way home (somewhere, Pierre Hermé is shaking his head with disapproval), I did enjoy every crumb.
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8 Responses to “The cookie crumbles”
Comments
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September 29th, 2009 at 2:25 am
That’s a great story, and further proof of what I firmly believe: Parisians are no more “rude” than residents of any other big city. And now the sablees are on their way to a particularly mega-sized metropolis: Beijing, our dear old dumplingtown!
September 29th, 2009 at 2:59 am
The line at PH on weekend afternoons tests my will to live. A “Mogador” macaron — milk chocolate and passion fruit — helps.
September 29th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Oooo. I had the rose and quince last week. It was divine.
In Tokyo, Pierre Hermé is a vast expanse of glass and marble and there is never a line. I know it’s a long haul from Paris, but…
September 29th, 2009 at 10:01 am
You know you can find Pierre Hermé on rue Cambon as well as at the Publicis Drugstore, right? Nary a person in line for those lovely macarons…
But no matter – I can completely relate to those days when everything is merde and, suddenly, one person’s small gesture changes everything.
So happy the vendeur was sweet and that you got two treats!
September 29th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I’ve been stuck in line there before (I got a Mont Blanc – do people really like that one?). Amazing that they are open on Sunday though!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I never had a Hermé macaron
but I hope one day to have one
Next time we come to Paris
I’m lining up to join the fun
October 1st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Thank goodness for nice people who can make a day a little sweeter — and for people like you, who are able to recognize and appreciate such a gesture.
I agree with Chris — one of the things that has surprised me since I’ve moved here is how nice I’ve found (most of) the people I’ve interacted with. They did not at all live up to the stereotype that I was expecting. In a good way!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Chris — I agree, Parisians can be very kind. Except for the aggressive little old ladies who cut in line at the market.
Barbara — Mmmm…Mogador…! I know what I’m getting on my next PH visit. Have you ever tried the vanilla-olive-oil?
Stephanie — The rose and quince was delicate and lovely. I didn’t know PH had a branch in Tokyo but that explains the throngs of Japanese tourists who line the sidewalks outside his Paris shops.
Sweet Freak — You’re right — the other locations are less crazy-making. But my Left Bank Laziness won out. Did you know each branch has a special flavor?
Claire — What’s a Mont Blanc? And you’re right, it is amazing — PH is open SEVEN DAYS a week! Unprecedented.
Dad — Ha! And your feet show it… they’re Longfellows.
Kim B. — PH certainly has a bon sens commercial. Just when the crowds and slowness drive me to the point of breaking, they do something sweet. I’m about to spend 40 euros on a box of macarons again. I can just feel it.