A Paris story...

When we arrived at our Airbnb (on the 6th floor, with no elevator), our American-turned-Parisien host showed us the ropes

My wife Ria asked, 'Where do we take out the trash?' It was just after the garbage collectors strike.

His reply, "Downstairs or out the window! It's Paris!"
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He showed me how to lock and unlock the door, it has a tricky latch.

When I struggled, his comment came, "🤬-ing Paris"

For the remainder of our few days there we jokingly adopted his attitude. Whenever something goes wrong, we'd say "🤬-ing Paris"

You see, frankly, Paris is a violent place with intense energy and not nearly as romantic as you might think. It's filled with graffiti, strikes, and brazen locals. Places where monarchs lost their heads, and destroying traffic cameras are part and parcel.

Turns out, Paris is not the city of love (however they managed that branding exercise is beyond me), it's the city of revolutions where you insist on your space or get eaten alive by a 50kg Parisien in heels.

In short, when you get pushed in Paris, push back.

And it dawned on me, that approaching Paris on her 🤬 terms was the key. And the same could be said of many things, customers, teams, partners, or friends. It makes for a smoother ride and a much truer experience (for both parties)

Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!