While most of the French locals are either ignorant or indifferent to my presence in Pontrieux, I am sufficiently visible on the radar to be invited to things. Mostly these are of an official nature, like the annual assembly of the tourist board, or a meeting chaired by the Mayor to discuss “access by professionals to the communal waste depot”. So far I haven’t attended any of these – usually the times clash with by business hours, also I fear that my desire to fade into the background will not be realised and I may be called upon to address the meeting in my Officer Crabtree French.
Other invites have been to drinks receptions at public exhibitions, or a personal note encouraging me to attend a public event. These are generally more my cup of tea and are good opportunities to meet people. I have noticed that I tend to be the only Brit who has been invited (or turned up), I always receive a very warm welcome and made to feel very relaxed. I definitely feel that I am gaining more from my French experience that those Brits who retreat to their English speaking communities and don’t interact much with the French around them. (Usually the same sort of people who moan about the same behaviour by foreign residents in the UK).
Today’s post brought an invitation by Laura a local artist, to a reception marking the reopening of her studio-boutique. I will report back later.