Many years ago my family and I were in Paris for the bi-centennial celebrations, and one afternoon I took my small daughter to the Bois de Boulogne, a large park in Paris. As it was a hot day, she went paddling in a children’s pool. To my horror, when she had been there for a while, I heard another British child, who was up to her waist in the water, shriek “Mum, I need a wee!” Obviously assuming that she was the only tourist, her mother cried, “Oh, just do it in the water!”
I did not hesitate. I stood up, glared at the woman, turned back and called loudly, “Kate, get out of the water at once.” A very red faced woman took her child by the arm and left immediately. 05-04-09
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, peeing in a pool? That’s disgusting! People get water in their mouths when they swim! Ewwww!
Lots of French people understand English, always presume that those around you understand what you are saying.
I have heard Swedish in BudaPest, in Hamburg, in Amsterdam, and Swedish is a very small language. English is the current world language, most people with any kind of education beyond 6th grade know at least a bit English.
Kudos to you for counteracting that woman’s behavior so publicly and helping redeeming tourist!
disgusting much?
“Lots of French people understand English, always presume that those around you understand what you are saying.”
How about we just don’t have our kids pee in public recreation areas?