I was so excited upon exiting baggage claim to meet my Parisian friend that I forgot I had just waited almost 45 minutes for my luggage to show up on the belt. My seatmate had been a young Parisian man coming home to visit his family. He waited with me the entire time to make sure my luggage arrived at Charles de Gaulle International Airport. He had given me great advice concerning proper French etiquette on the flight across the Atlantic. He didn't even have to say the words, I could already tell that French men are more romantic.

We both lost each other in the sea of people as we searched the faces for our loved ones waiting patiently. I was looking and then I heard my name called and there he was, my lovely French man smiling and waving at me. There was absolutely nothing casual about our greeting. It was the famous, passionate embrace that you can see in the photo above and can only hope that happens to you at least once in your lifetime! A very nice, romantic greeting, indeed.

THE ACCENT

There's something irresistible about a French man saying your name and speaking in this most beautiful accent, and I have to say, it is mesmerizing, almost like a drug. On the way to his home outside of Paris, we were driving and he kept holding my hand and rubbing my fingers delicately and he would look at me and simply speak words and I felt like I was in some fantasy world.

Was I really hearing this beautiful voice? It didn't even matter what he was saying. Over and over, he would say, "you look gorgeous, darling." Yes, keep talking, just let me hear your voice. There were times during my stay that he would speak in French and I could only nod and look into his face to understand what he was saying. My high school conversational French did not pick up the fluency of romantic utterances whispered in your ear.

Breakfast in the Garden~ Brunch, Actually

We had breakfast in his beautiful garden surrounded by beautiful trees and sitting at his Italian marble table with wrought iron chairs. He set the table perfectly with two gorgeous plates, the goblet of juice, beautiful silverware, napkins, jam, toasted fresh bread, real butter with a butter knife, a bowl of fresh fruit and coffee served in beautiful cups and saucers. It was casual and yet elegant. I felt like a princess.

There is something so romantic about how a man sets a table (or even that a man DOES set the table!) and the attention to details that tells a woman he cares about her. I felt this from him and it was very sweet and very romantic. The French man does not overlook the details when courting a woman.

Holding Hands~

As this was my first trip to Paris, he was very excited to show me everything. We walked and drove all through the city, out to Versailles where we sat at a cafe across from the Palace which was being renovated at the time. We drove through parks that were like forests. I felt like I was in a fairytale. Always we were holding hands and so many times, he would stop walking and embrace me and tell me over and over again, "you're lovely, darling." Yes, it works, it's quite a heady experience and it IS an 11 on a romance scale from 1-10. We held hands walking along the Seinne, through the markets, restaurants, sidewalks, cobblestone (very hard in heels!!) streets of Bastille and Montemarte, everywhere we went.

It's the simple pleasure of feeling connected to the other person, feeling their warmth and closeness in your hands, the love flowing through your fingertips. I don't ever remember feeling rushed or in a hurry. We took our time to enjoy the pleasure of being together, wherever we were, observing and taking in everything around us, but never forgetting each other.

The French man has this charming way of making you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. And that must be a very significant reason why we are attracted to them. It is a charm, an allure that is quite seductive. Conversation is centered around both of your interests, arts, current affairs, not discussing past affairs or family problems. How many of us have been turned off when a date or partner begins complaining or does not focus his/her attention on the present moment?

Paris itself is hypnotic. The city has a romance, a light, a love that is in the air. To be in love in Paris is a story in itself reserved for those who are fortunate enough to share this experience, or watch a movie and imagine yourself there! Romance is an attitude, a manner of life, a way of expressing who we are. Anyone, anywhere can be romantic if proper attention is taken and putting forth a little extra effort to create that ambiance of romance and love, and, the accent is a very nice bonus!

Romantic Conclusions~

• smile and show delight in seeing your partner

• compliment your partner with words
  

• know how to properly set a table and do it

• don't forget flowers and candles or special details to show you care

• hold hands, look at your partner's face, show affection, embrace your partner

• keep conversations focused on both interests, current affairs, NOT people or problems

• make your partner feel important by listening, asking relevant questions to the conversation
  

• romance is an art, learn it and allow it to be part of who you are, your lifestyle

• enjoy lots of kisses
  

• if you don't have the French accent, that's o.k., but it's nice~~~

So, are the French men more romantic??? Well, maybe it's just a matter of who we're with and how we feel about each other. Oui?