Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Smoking...

Almost looks like a French cafe scene, n'est-ce pas? Except now you can't smoke in French cafes, I think. There's been a law passed here (not sure when it goes into effect) that a percentage of restaurants have to have a non-smoking section, hurrah. However, like most laws here, unless someone complains about the smoke, people just light up. Caught this lady in the act on Saturday after my SlowArt Walk afternoon downtown in a popular pizzeria, whose name I will not mention, but should, and not because of the smoke. We all sat down at 1:00 and our food did not arrive until over an hour later!!! Anyway, I got a photo worth taking, but won't return to that restaurant.

17 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

True a beautiful shot! Great moment.

Olivier said...

superbe photo b&w, beau portrait j'aime beaucoup

Bill said...

It is always bad when you experience a bad restaurant. I sometimes wonder how they stay open, when a lot of people only go once. I think maybe YOU SHOULD mention the name.

Kim said...

I like how the smoke curls imitate the texture of her hair. Nice "noir" feel to your photo, too! Better luck next time dining out. Talk about rumbley in your tumbley.
-Kim

Dimple said...

Really good photo, not so good wait for food!

Judithk said...

An hour? No wonder she was smoking.

Thérèse said...

Une photo fort réussie avec cet éclairage!

Louis la Vache said...

This does, indeed, look like a scene in Paris.

Re the restaurant - you've been there twice now?
First time and Last, both rolled into one?

;-D

dianasfaria.com said...

a beautiful black and white portrait Bibi!

Alexa said...

Well, at least you got something worthwhile at this restaurant: a really great photo! I recall about 20 years ago being on a Greek inter-island ferry and watching a bunch of people light up directly under the No Smoking sign.
(Here in NYC, you're even forbidden to smoke outside—some office buildings, for example. All to the good.)

Jilly said...

What a great shot, Bibi. I so agree with Kim's comment. The curls of smoke echo the curls. How clever!

Yes no smoking in France now but I notice the casinos in Monaco and France have installed some sort of outdoor area with weather protection and also ventilation so they get away with smoking in there. Their profits went down when smokers weren't allowed inside!

Suburban Girl said...

I think it was worth the wait just for this photo. Great shot!

Lowell said...

Excellent portrait and great black and white study of human behavior!

At least you got your food. We waited in a restaurant here once for over an hour and never did get out food - they had forgotten all about us!

And yes, "cactus" is a dumb name for a car wash! It has an "Arizona" theme!

clairz said...

Love the curling smoke and the curly hair. Wonderful shot! But I'm glad I wasn't breathing that air...

Daryl said...

Fabulous shot ... what did you order ... a pizza? Sometimes that takes a while to bake ... nevertheless ..

Marie-Noyale said...

I wonder how many cigarettes she smoke while waiting!!!!

Gaelyn said...

Us smokers are definitely in the minority.

YANKEE IN NICE

 Edit: pastis is a licorice-flavored alcoholic drinksimilar to Greek ouzo. My favorite drink as it is for many people in this area. No more ...