Le Bonjourer
Definition: A bonjourer is a man who (if you're lucky) says “bonjour” to you as you pass him on the street/metro, or (if you're unlucky) says “bonjour” and they continues to harass you as the try your very best to ignore them.Bonjourers are generally harmless but can be very annoying and sometimes very sleazy. Our standard response is to ignore them, which sometimes works but generally isn't very affective and sometimes even garners the respond “Quand je dis bonjour, tu dois dire bonjour!!” (when I say hello, you must say hello!!!) in a very angry tone. Bonjourers usually follow the “bonjour” with something like “vous été très belle” (you are very beautiful), "vous été très gentille" (you are very nice). I know this sounds all well and good now but think of it more as the "Hello Beautiful" that you get from the weird, creepy, drunk guy in the dark corner of the bar at home.
Some of them aren't creepy at all and are just plain hilarious. Jess and I were once bonjoured by a guy at La Chapelle metro station who asked us "Quel est ton nom?" (What is your name?) to which Jess replied "J'ai pas un nom, mes parents sont fous" (I don't have a name, my parents are crazy). However, sometimes they are really really creepy like the guy that followed Alexis (Canadian Alexis, not Lek) and I as we transferred between metro lines and then when we changed carriages too.
Bonjourers are everywhere in Paris and always seem to find you when you least expect them, and even more when you're really not in the mood to be bonjoured. They'll never strike if you have a guy with you, especially if he's Polish (miss you Szymona!!!), but being with another girl just ensures that they come in pairs (or will offer to call their friend if they're alone).
I even have a friend who, while catching the night bus, told a bonjourer that she only spoke Portuguese, after he tried to talk to her in French and English. She thought she had found the perfect excuse when he walked away...but he only returned a minute later with a guy who spoke Portuguese to translate for him (seriously!!). There is no stopping these guys!!!! I'm glad we can laugh about it.
posted by Gigi @ 1:38 am
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