I had an interesting encounter yesterday while wandering around the Left Bank. A lady became irritated with me when she assumed I had taken her picture. (Adrian told me last week that it’s against the law to take anyone’s frontal picture without their permission—again, probably a law like picking up after your dog). When she approached me and began speaking in French, she realized that I wasn’t understanding her and switched to English. She said that she didn’t want to be in any pictures and I assured her that I hadn’t taken her picture—showed her the (final of three) picture that I took of a Paris history sign. These are all over the city describing a building, monument, etc.—in this case, Les Deux Magots, the famous café in which Hemingway, Joyce, Sartre, and other writers and intellects used to hang out. I snap them in order to remember where I’ve been and to gleam interesting and factual information.She immediately softened her tone and explained that unless you ask someone’s permission, you are not supposed to take their picture. “People, you know, use them for things.” Hmmm, what things...? Oh, like maybe in a blog? Like this? This is actually her—I took three pictures and she wasn’t in the one I showed her. I’m sure you’ll recognize her next time you’re in Paris…
