The French Experience (Ooh La La Explained)


So, what’s the deal with my juicy and cryptic post about the handsome French men?

Well, it was an interesting day for sure! I guess I’ll start at the top although I warn you: there’s a good chance this post will become both ranty and gooey.

The story goes like this…

I received a booking request from AirBnB for my extra room from one of the guys. Turns out he and his business partner (who also happens to be his best childhood friend) are coming to town from Montreal for some business in advertising. Way cool! We all work in the industry, that should give us something to talk about!

I saw a crappy photo of him before he booked and it didn’t look very attractive; but I’m not really looking to get with most of my guests anyway so what did it matter, right?

HA! When he and his buddy walked in the door I was stopped in my tracks—he was HOT! Both were good looking but I had my eye on one in particular, let’s call him Guy 1 and the other Guy 2.

I took them upstairs to get them settled and there was definite chemistry between the three of us, it was like we all had known each other for a while. They found out that I could speak (limited) French and were even warmer. We traded stories about our travels, business and our dogs and I gave them some recommendations on where to eat that night – they were just looking for a pub to relax in and watch the game.

At this point my roomie hadn’t even come out to greet them yet (manners, anyone? This is definitely a beef I have, I do 100% of the work for AirBnB yet she gets half the money. This is going to change.)

First Strike

Guy 2 headed downstairs to get ready to head out (or something like that). Guy 1 stayed upstairs with me to give me one of his business cards and we ended up chatting for a while longer. I could hear that roomie finally came out of her room and was chatting with Guy 2. Suddenly she pops up the stairs in her jacket and says “come on guys!” as if she was going out with them. I’m puzzled at first because I know the guys just wanted to head out and relax alone. Roomie had also said she would be doing work in her room all night.

Turns out she had invited herself out to dinner with them. I had a couple of thoughts:

  1. How RUDE! You don’t just invite yourself out with tired guests! Especially when you don’t even have the maturity to greet them until you discover that they’re good-looking.  She saw they were hot and wanted in. The sad part is that she was already seeing someone, why does she have to try and sleep with every hot guy she sees?
  2. I would have asked to join them myself except that I was being a good host and allowing them their privacy. When people get to their destination after a long trip, most just want to relax and do their own thing for a bit.
  3. I figured if they wanted us to join them they would ask.
  4. Roomie was incredibly rude. Inviting yourself to someone else’s party is one thing, but then she didn’t even have the decency to invite me, her “partner” that did all the work. She was just going to leave me sitting at home, cleaning up after everyone. Thanks.

Well, at least I managed to be mature about the whole thing. I played it up and did an overly dramatic “awww, can I come??” and Guy 1 asked me to join them. Ha. Looks like I was right about thought number 3.

So we headed out into the frigid, pouring rain. Once again my roomie butted in and decided to change where everyone was going. A simple pub was not fancy enough, oh no! We had to go to hipster central so she could show off. After a slight hesitation the guys were game and I didn’t really care so off we went to the Ossington strip. So much for the pub they were looking for. It always has to be about roomie and what she wants, never anyone else.

The Good Stuff

The place we wanted to go to was too crowded so we headed across the street “to have drinks while we waited”. Roomie’s suggestion, of course. Me and the guys didn’t want to do that because we were all on budgets. Luckily male force made a showing and they opted for the burger place right beside it instead. Thank goodness!

Anyway, dinner was great. Conversation and beer was flowing and the chemistry was fantastic. I personally felt really good because I knew I was hitting it off with these guys, and they were really interesting! Since I’m somewhat of an introvert, it’s always a WIN when my charm turns on and people get to see me in action! I felt good about myself and the situation.

Both of the guys were really great to talk with. We shared not only business, but a lot of personal interests too, even volunteering and history! They felt so comfortable around me they even lapsed into French a couple of times. (I know this is wrong but I felt good that roomie had no idea what was going on for once and that she felt left out for a change.)

Both boys wanted to exchange information with me and we’re planning some future visits in Montreal and TO if all goes well. Squee! This is the giggly part 😉

The Reveal

So I was feeling great. Roomie kept trying to draw all the attention back to herself the whole night, but I think the fact that she finally saw what I can be like socially (and the fact that the guys were more into me!) really threw her for a loop. Instead of coming off all cultured and educated like she wants to, she just came off sort of childish and immature, especially since we were all older than her.

I’m a little disappointed that I had to “compete” with roomie the whole night over these guys, but I am pleased with my performance. I was able to take everything in stride, offered the right kind of responses and ended the night on a positive note. Me and the guys chatted the whole ride home while roomie sat mostly quiet. The tables have turned!

Anyway, the guys eventually went home, but we have been emailing back and forth, and the cute one added me to LinkedIn and Facebook (and not my roomie)! I’m definitely considering a trip out to Montreal sometime soon so I can hang out with the cute one some more. I could even stay with him since he’s an Air BnB host, too! Oooh la la!

Self-realization

I just want to say that I know it’s wrong to feel superior to another and to be happy when they embarrass themselves or get reality shoved in their faces. But it’s also human nature. My roommate thinks that she is better than me in all areas (and during the night tried to bring me down in front of the guys “Oh, do you only have one friend?” and other sarcastic remarks) so it was nice to shove everything back in her face and come out as the winner. Too bad it had to be a contest in the first place.

It ain’t right, but it sure felt good.

Ginger’s got her groove back, y’all!

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3 responses to “The French Experience (Ooh La La Explained)”

  1. YAY! This was a really great post! It was nice to read that you were the star of the show and you wee happy being there. I hope your friendship with "cute french guy" stays strong.

  2. It sounds like we would be awesome friends if we were closer. So, when are you moving to Vancouver?
    And… good luck with the Frenchie – even if it's just a friendship!

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