Window Licking

In French, the expression for “window shopping” is “lêche-vitrine.” When translated exactly, it means “window licking,” which is oddly accurate, yet kind of gross. Really, when we go window-shopping, aren’t we secretly drooling after whatever it is we stopped to look at? However, the thought of actually slobbering all over a store window is quite unpleasant.  Jeanne, my mother-in-law, shared this little gem about when she stopped to “lick” a Parisian jeweler’s window filled with striking sapphires when the family lived there thirty or so years ago.

One early winter morning, Jeanne found herself crossing the Place Vendôme, with her tan trench belted tightly around her, brown leather boots on, and scarf wrapped around her neck. The Place Vendôme is a square, located in the first arrondissement. It lies just to the north of the Tuileries, not too far from the Louvre, and some of the world’s most exclusive and expensive real estate and retailers line the streets near the Place Vendôme.  

As the story goes, Jeanne stopped in front of a jeweler’s window filled with a sparkling sapphire and diamond necklace, a bracelet (or two) and beautiful drop earrings that would “leave you breathless.” The sapphires were the size of “small eggs.” The sun was striking the gems in a blaze of brilliance; it was spectacular, truly, described Jeanne.  The store was not yet open, and a gentleman was in kneeling next to the window inside the store arranging the luscious gems for maximum appeal to the window-licking and (hopefully) sapphire jewelry-buying public. Jeanne stood and watched. Perhaps sensing that he had an audience, the gentleman looked up, with raised eyebrows, with an expression as if to say, “Well, what do you think?”

Jeanne shook her head and pointed her finger at the necklace, gesturing that the gentleman should move the necklace display to the right (à droit) and angle it ever so slightly. He did that, and then he pointed to the bracelet, as if asking where it should go. Jeanne pointed to spot to the left (à gauche) of the necklace. The gentleman responded and put the bracelet exactly where Jeanne suggested. Finally, the earrings then were carefully placed, completing the trio. The gentleman stood up and looked at the completed display. He glanced at Jeanne, smiled, and slightly bowed. Jeanne nodded, turned, and walked on. So much said with a gesture of the hand and nod of the head.