Waiting [not on!] for who[m]?
Friday, April 18, 2008 Posted by Eric
This photo is dedicated to Zsolt and Zannni from Budapest Daily Photo... Why? Because I took this photo last evening (Thursday) in front of... the Paris Hungarian Center, located on the rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement (not exactly the worst address in Paris!). This center is dedicated to the promotion of the Hungarian culture (and language) and I suppose this sculpture was made by a Hungarian artist (but I have found nothing on the web about this). Anyway, I think it's cool they actually put it in front of the building as if it were a real bench. I don't know the lady next to the bronze one ; she just nicely told me "you can take your picture, I don't mind being on a blog!" Nice encounter.
April 18, 2008 12:44:00 AM GMT+02:00
I'm glad she didn't mind, her presence is what really makes the picture. Though I really do like the sculpture...
April 18, 2008 12:56:00 AM GMT+02:00
Nice shot and cute story! I like that sculpture! I saw a regular-size bronze (?) dog once, in San Francisco. I think we should send it to your bronze lady so she doesn't sit there by herself most of the time.
April 18, 2008 12:59:00 AM GMT+02:00
Cute story!!
I take it that this part of Paris is a very, very nice part? I've never been to Paris....Yet! I'm really looking forward to my first visit--whenever that may be!!
Thanks!
April 18, 2008 1:00:00 AM GMT+02:00
What a pleasant lady. Nice encounter huh? Ooooh Eric. I like the sculpture very much and think it's much improved with another pretty lady in real life sitting next to it.
I want a photo dedication too! Can't you find a Cheltenham Centre or a Lynn Centre anywhere in Paree for meeee? lol! Giggle.
April 18, 2008 1:04:00 AM GMT+02:00
Great photo, and having the woman sitting next to the sculpture gives it real symmetry. I really like the woman's fancy stockings!
April 18, 2008 1:29:00 AM GMT+02:00
Too funny, Lynn wants a photo dedication. I've seen these life sized bronzes in San Francisco too. They are always sitting out front of antique or objects d'art shops. There sure are a lot of San Franciscan's blogging here. 6th arrondissement is nice I think. I wouldn't mind living there on a quiet street of course.
April 18, 2008 2:23:00 AM GMT+02:00
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an area of the 6th arrondissement. A lot of students are there. I do business with a couple art galleries there. There are a lot of painters there. I buy my art supplies there, paint and canvas, etc. It is a little crazy at night. I stay there sometimes.
April 18, 2008 2:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
I'm sure I've passed by this one, but can't place her in my mind.
There's another kind of 'real-life' sculpture this reminds me of - at Les Halles where there's a bunch of steps with a rollerblader and someone with a dog, and others, which is nice in that rather dodgy and uncomfortable melting pot of disaffected humanity - if you have ever be explurged from that looonnnnggggg escalator that leads out from the deep RER A, B and D, you'll know what I mean.
April 18, 2008 3:33:00 AM GMT+02:00
I hope that you gave that very accommodating woman your blog address. I find the photo quite amusing.
April 18, 2008 3:38:00 AM GMT+02:00
Seward Johnson (grandson of the founder of the Johnson & Johnson corporation) does lifelike bronze statues like that, which can be found in many cities in the United States (and, who knows, maybe in the world, I am not sure.)
April 18, 2008 4:09:00 AM GMT+02:00
Eric did you remember me when you passed by Rue Bonaparte??!!!!
Remember I stayed at this street last year? I can't help feeling like this area was like... home! I loved staying there, it is a fantastic neighborhood. A few steps up and you bump into St.Germain des Pres, a few steps down and your strolling by the Seine. Everyday I passed by a sign next to Les Deux Magots with the names of Simone de Beauvoir and Sartre and I used to drop by quickly at Monoprix...I miss it...
The photo is so cute! Here we have lots of sculptures like this in the streets or sitting on benches as if they were real.
April 18, 2008 4:26:00 AM GMT+02:00
That is quite a piece of sculpure on that bench.
April 18, 2008 4:29:00 AM GMT+02:00
Hi Eric,
A quick correction here:
Your title should have been (1) "Waiting For Who" instead of (2) "Waiting On Who" because the latter means to serve someone.
(1) Je lui attend
(2) Le monsieur dans unrestaurant
:)
April 18, 2008 4:38:00 AM GMT+02:00
I think it should have been "Waiting for Whom?" but I won't quibble.
I adore this photo. The lady makes it, doesn't she?
April 18, 2008 5:08:00 AM GMT+02:00
Petrea, I laughed out loud -- you are funny. Argg! It's English class! I really didn't like English class. Actually, I hated it. Anyway, Lynn said that English and French are merging. I'm going to go with that.
This photo is adorable. The woman looks so anxious clutching her phone with that expression on her face.
April 18, 2008 5:13:00 AM GMT+02:00
Photolicious, you mean "waiting for whom?" right? ;)
(PontGirl, Petra, Lynn, I responded to your comments on yesterday's thread)
April 18, 2008 5:14:00 AM GMT+02:00
Ooooops... Oh, shoot, I'm too late ... Probably should have read the entire string of comments before responding, uh...
April 18, 2008 5:19:00 AM GMT+02:00
Brilliant! I'm glad she was cool about you taking her pic. I agree with the others. Her presence really does make the shot.
April 18, 2008 6:44:00 AM GMT+02:00
Oh, I'm just waiting. Waiting for Godot...
I don't recall the Hungarian Center. Is it near Place St.Sulpice? Hmm. I love the sculpture. I'll look for it.
I think, however, there is a plaque on a wall, on rue Bonaparte or rue de Seine, that says Eduard Manét was born there. You can't lose wandering around in that vicinity. I love it. If I was a rich man...
April 18, 2008 6:44:00 AM GMT+02:00
Oh, I forgot: Enjoy your visit with the other bloggers. A bientot.
April 18, 2008 7:12:00 AM GMT+02:00
Great story...and there is a Laduree on the rue Bonaparte also...mmmmmm...lot's of Macarons!!
tomate, pont girl, petrea...I am going to a dinner at Fleur de Lys on the 28th..so I will fill you in!! LOL!!
April 18, 2008 7:20:00 AM GMT+02:00
I think it should have read, "Waiting for this guy with a camera to take the damn photo!"
April 18, 2008 7:44:00 AM GMT+02:00
This is just so charming. Lovely photo and story.
April 18, 2008 7:59:00 AM GMT+02:00
Thank you Eric for this nice present:)
April 18, 2008 8:12:00 AM GMT+02:00
I love this photo! Your perspective makes it just right.
April 18, 2008 8:16:00 AM GMT+02:00
Eh, which of the sitters is the sculpture?
April 18, 2008 8:57:00 AM GMT+02:00
The bench, the figures, the fence, the expressions, the colors, the light - all delightful.
April 18, 2008 9:09:00 AM GMT+02:00
I like a lot this photo; The sculpture is so expressive (storm in her mind or sadness or ?... we can think of many things). The real lady besides is very friendly and cool. That makes the contrast.
Hungary, are you planned to go there for your next vacation (if I am not wrong, it is coming soon, after the PDP picnic!)
April 18, 2008 9:11:00 AM GMT+02:00
I really like this photo. The sculpture is beautiful, but the picture wouldn't be the same without the real lady next to/on it. She (the real one) looks kind of outworn and anxious, but she's very pretty at the same time.
Maybe she just spend too much money in this expensive neighbourhood or maybe she's been stood up or maybe ....
April 18, 2008 9:32:00 AM GMT+02:00
Eric, tell us the truth...that lady there was picked specially for this photo. They make a great pair.
April 18, 2008 10:05:00 AM GMT+02:00
Christie, I can understand that you're looking forward to your first visit to Paris - and there's a lot to look forward to.
BUT I have to warn you - PARIS is addictive !!! It goes into your blood like a bug or a virus and there's only one cure for it : another trip to the greatest city in the world.
So take care before you go there for the first time, it will hit you.
April 18, 2008 10:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
oh what a surprise to see a hungary related post here. im a hungarian in paris. :-)
i really like this one as well.
April 18, 2008 11:58:00 AM GMT+02:00
I smiled, big, when I saw this on the portal, and was, honestly, a bit disappointed that the gal on the left was art. I had thought it was a real live person seated next to another real life person. The difference in apparel seemed like a classic. I still like it though.
April 18, 2008 12:12:00 PM GMT+02:00
No Rose, I swear, she's not a model! I was passing there on my way to place Saint Sulpice to take another photo and I got caught by this scene.
I gave her a card, it would be cool if she would post a note here!
April 18, 2008 12:55:00 PM GMT+02:00
It would be very cool indeed. Please do, lady with the gorgeous stockings?
Petrea yes i agree Waiting For Whom? Still as Lois says, we're merging, you hear that Eric? You and me, talking the same lingo. What about that? The French shrink in horror at the thought but as an English lady i am delighted.
By the descriptions from Lois and Monica of this area, it is clear this is Lynnland. So suitable for me, oh yes i really think so. When i win the lottery, i shall buy my apartment in the 6th arondissement for sure. That is where i want to be, i have decided. Art materials on tap, a few steps to the Seine, peaceful surroundings.... not too shabby for Lynn ...! Oh yes.
April 18, 2008 1:28:00 PM GMT+02:00
Lynn this area, rue Bonaparte included is full of art galleries, so yes! It is definetely the place for you!!!
April 18, 2008 2:56:00 PM GMT+02:00
Not 'waiting on' - waiting *for*!
Nice photo :-D
April 18, 2008 3:33:00 PM GMT+02:00
One never feels lonely in New Orleans because there are similar bronze sculptures on the park benches there. Your picture is just lovely!
April 18, 2008 3:42:00 PM GMT+02:00
I really like that sculpture and the real lady seems very nice from your story! Mabye she will visit your blog to see your photo?
April 18, 2008 4:00:00 PM GMT+02:00
Yes, it would be nice if the bonne femme in the photo paid us a visit. But if she does, I think she's going to wish she'd run a comb through her hair!
April 18, 2008 4:18:00 PM GMT+02:00
lol yes Shutterspy, 'waiting on' is American English, 'waiting for' is English. We can all see where Eric learned his English! Or perhaps he just has a lot of American friends!
April 18, 2008 4:29:00 PM GMT+02:00
Talking of our 'merging', Eric, i've been doing quite a bit of Paris advertising myself over the last ten days. By not visiting Cheltenham, though, you've missed the lot! he he.
April 18, 2008 4:53:00 PM GMT+02:00
Sorry, Lynn, but most Americans say "waiting for". There are regional differences, of course, and some Yanks say "waiting on", but it is not the norm.
April 18, 2008 5:50:00 PM GMT+02:00
Expat
If she does, she shouldn't. I hope she will not. She is a very stylish lady with a very good sense of dress.
April 18, 2008 5:56:00 PM GMT+02:00
Yes, Lynn, I never heard the expression "waiting on" used in that way until Mick Jagger sang it in "I'm not waiting on a lady, I'm just waiting on a friend."
Or was it "waiting for a friend"?
April 18, 2008 6:00:00 PM GMT+02:00
eric,
you always ask permission + provide explainations about the blog before taking a picture!
yaooooo it should not be easy all the time!
bye
April 18, 2008 6:07:00 PM GMT+02:00
I never ask permission for anything! LOL.
April 18, 2008 6:12:00 PM GMT+02:00
Oooh well that's interesting, Jeff and Petrea. When i was teaching English as a foreign language, we always had to do an American/English session and this was one of the examples. I stand corrected of course and don't profess to be an expert in American, i do know it's not English though!
April 18, 2008 6:14:00 PM GMT+02:00
Where's Michael when we need him for another opinion? Tsk, he's jetting around somewhere, the lucky devil. Come back Michael! We're waiting for you! lol.
April 18, 2008 6:18:00 PM GMT+02:00
i like your blog...
nice lady too...
beautiful sculpture.
April 18, 2008 6:40:00 PM GMT+02:00
Waiting for, waiting on... In fact I got puzzled by a book that I've been reading for years (yes it's pretty tough!) by the French philosopher Simone Weil (you probably never heard of her, even though she's an interesting lady).
Anyway, one day, I think I was in England (Lynn!!) waiting FOR a plane or something and... I looked for a book to buy. My eyes got caught by a book by Simone Weil (in English of course since I was in England) called "Waiting on God".
The funny thing is that I looked for it on the web and guess what I found as many occurrences on "Waiting on God" than on "Waiting for God"... So I must have gotten it TOTALLY wrong!
Also, as Photolicious said, maybe this Wainting on God, meant Serving God and not waiting for him. Which makes sense because she was a great believer.
Anyway, I'm in Romans now, for the Internet Festival - you know the one I attended last year and where I got the second prize in the Photoblog category - Only this year I'm a member of the jury (not in the photo category, but the travel blog one).
It cold and rainy, but that is another story...
Will be checking regularly, thanks to the Wi-Fi connection ;)
April 18, 2008 6:56:00 PM GMT+02:00
Oh good luck as a juror, Eric!
Well i suppose it depends where the translation of the book was done! he he what a mystery. All i know is that if you said Waiting on... in England, you would be serving someone. he he.
April 18, 2008 7:18:00 PM GMT+02:00
"But that is not the question. Why are we here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come."
- Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot
April 18, 2008 7:49:00 PM GMT+02:00
What a great shot - I'll have to go there and kiss her, too - just liked I kissed le poisson on Le Pont Alexandre!!
I really like the sculpture's anklet, and I equally like the real woman's stockings!
Have a great time at Fleur de Lys, Tonton - I loved it! You are right, Tomate, it is insanely expensive there, but it sure is fun to have an exotic treat every once in a great while!
Have a great time being a juror, Eric - it sounds like a lot of fun - and I can't believe a whole year has gone by since we were voting like mad for our dear PDP to win!!
April 18, 2008 8:09:00 PM GMT+02:00
I love this picture. The ladies have many differences. But hey are both classy and quite chic. Bravo, to their style.
April 18, 2008 9:56:00 PM GMT+02:00
Intéressant.
April 18, 2008 11:05:00 PM GMT+02:00
I learnt at least one thing today: I learnt that Simone Veil was not Simone Weil! I didn't know yours Eric. She seems to be very interesting according to the few things I read about her on the web... à approfondir!
April 18, 2008 11:05:00 PM GMT+02:00
April 18, 2008 11:45:00 PM GMT+02:00
I agree with you Guille!!! At first, I thought of Simone Veil but I know she is not a great believer at all and I was sure Eric could not make this mistake (Weil instead of Veil...). So I requested both Mr. Google and Mr. Wikipedia and now everything is clearer to me!
Eric, FYI, it is rainy and cold enough too in Paris... Member of the jury in the travel blog category : sounds interesting and enjoyable... Great for you!!
Glad to see you have changed the title by : waiting for who because the question is worth asking by looking at the bronze lady.
April 18, 2008 11:55:00 PM GMT+02:00
Hello!
I am Erno from Budapest, Hungary. I like this blog very much. I read it almost every day and I am happy that today I found a Hungarian sculpture here. Eric, merci beaucoup!
April 19, 2008 7:42:00 AM GMT+02:00
I'm here Lynn, but my opinion won't count much. Written and spoken English are almost as much of a challenge for me as French seems to be. I honestly (don't yell at me Eric) hardly ever read the photo title! I'm right into the photo, the caption, and bien sur, the comments.
After living in England, when my French colleagues ask me to clarify an English question, I often can't remember if it's the English or American explanation I'm supposed to give, so this title doesn't surprise me at all.
Anyway, I love the photo and am proud of you Eric for giving out your card to this woman. I think that deep down people are interested in being "part of something", so I'm not surprised that she said, "Yes". So, do we know if she saw your photo?
April 19, 2008 11:39:00 AM GMT+02:00
I am the No-model of eric...I was just "there",in a pure instant of being...and waiting for the purity of the present; the magic of fate is that life gives the presence of eric at the right moment for this magic photo! thanks eric for your feline capture of this artistic picture !
April 19, 2008 12:09:00 PM GMT+02:00
When thinking about street photography I'm sure there are PEOPLE, who make the picture. Eric, this shot is oustanding: both because the monument is excellent and your coincidental model fits it perfectly. That is funny in life - you can just sit on the bench and suddenly someone comes takes a picture and you become a face of the day on the blog reading by bloggers all around the world!
April 19, 2008 2:02:00 PM GMT+02:00
Love your blog and your photos! This is the best "daily city photo" blog that I view.
BTW, your heading should read "Waiting for whom" (not who) - sorry, but I'm a grammar teacher and couldn't help it :)
April 19, 2008 2:10:00 PM GMT+02:00
April 19, 2008 2:14:00 PM GMT+02:00
Oh - and from this speaker of average, ugly American English, "waiting on" something/someone is perfectly normal, everyday usage. As in: "I'm waitin' on grandma to git up off the couch cuz we're fixin' to git on over to WalMart." :)
April 19, 2008 7:01:00 PM GMT+02:00
Oh ritalounge, you put it so perfectly! And LOOK! The model is here with us! I'm so glad you wrote and put a "voice" with your lovely photo!
April 19, 2008 7:03:00 PM GMT+02:00
M.K. could you PLEASE explain to all of us the rules?! I'm never quite sure and I know that there are a lot of non-native English speakers here who would like to know as well.
April 19, 2008 10:23:00 PM GMT+02:00
Oh my! Well, which rules would you prefer? I'll begin with Eric's lovely phrase. Both "for" and "on" are prepositions. "Whom" is the object of that preposition. Since it's an object, it must be in the objective case. Whom is the objective case (to whom, by whom, for whom, above whom - you get the idea). "Who" would be used in places where a nominative case pronoun is required, like "Who is coming to supper?" or "Who ate my piece of cake?" Oh, sorry - it's almost supper time here.
All you posters here sound as if you have perfectly fine English. I'm still struggling to figure out the French instructions on Eric's blog site :)
April 19, 2008 10:29:00 PM GMT+02:00
Eric - I failed to say how much I like this particular photo. I know NOTHING about photography. But I accidentally clicked on the picture, and enlarged it on my screen. So, I decided to slowly examine it, from the toes up (my apologies to the fine lady who posed). It is a study in contrasts. The poses, textures, substance, expressions - all seem opposites. The living woman looks away at life; the sculpture is introspective. Knowing that one is made of metal, and one is living flesh and blood -- it is fascinating. Thanks.
April 19, 2008 11:10:00 PM GMT+02:00
Wow M.K....I now know exactly WHY I don't the rule. That sounds complicated to remember! ;-)
April 20, 2008 11:02:00 PM GMT+02:00
This is good. I love the real woman and the sculpture similarities and contrasts...
April 21, 2008 6:54:00 PM GMT+02:00
Is this sculpture/bench near the Latin Quarter or the Louvre? It looks familiar, like I saw it when I was in Paris last Oct.
I SOOOOOOO want to go back to Paris. It really makes the States (United) look like a total cultural wasteland! And disgustingly FAT. Look at me, I'm a snob against my own country! - but it's true! ;)
Oui, j'adore Paris! :)
April 21, 2008 8:17:00 PM GMT+02:00
Yay! You changed the title!
Some people in England say 'waiting on' but it's incorrect and means 'serving'.
And I think 'whom' is correct, as Petrea said :)
April 21, 2008 8:17:00 PM GMT+02:00
PS I wish I could get so many people to read my photoblog! :-D
April 22, 2008 2:41:00 AM GMT+02:00
I've been waiting for long time to visit Paris, but eventually I've realized how wrong I was, thinking of the city and it's cold walls, sad streets and miserable sculptures.
I miss the the real woman ...
ata
April 26, 2008 5:37:00 AM GMT+02:00
I just love, love, love, the casual imitation created by the real lady
next to the sculpture. I want to say, "Get up, it is my turn to sit there!"
May 4, 2008 10:00:00 AM GMT+02:00
Hee hee. This is cute.
October 7, 2009 12:03:00 PM GMT+02:00
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