Gift lists dominate our thoughts this time of the year, whether it’s for ideas we supply to others, or those we need to purchase. I’ve found my ‘gifting philosophy’ has changed over the years; that the best gifts anyone can receive are those that carry a part of us, and the best gifts given are those that better connect the recipient and the giver. Such presents don’t have to be ‘stuff’, and the opportunity for such sharing can come not just on special occasions, but on any day of the year. A recent trip to Paris with my wife Sue supported that belief.
It was a trip rich with experiences and encounters-but one random encounter summarized not only that gift philosophy, but also the rich opportunities available if you’re willing to step beyond the familiar and the comfortable. One evening, we were crossing Rue de Rivoli, a very busy street that runs parallel to the Seine river. We were just blocks away from Notre Dame Cathedral, barricaded as repair work was underway after the recent fire. I had stopped to take a few photos; after all, what city presents better night-time vistas than Paris? I was two-thirds of the way across the street when I noticed an elderly man using a walker behind me. There were many cars waiting at the light, which I knew would quickly change. On impulse, I walked back to him and asked in very rudimentary French, ‘je peut marcher avec vous?-may I walk with you?’. He looked at me, smiled, and responded in excellent French-accented English, ‘I’d like it very much if you’d walk with me’. So we continued together slowly, now against the light, but not a single motorist sounded their horn, shouted or showed the slightest outward impatience. By the time we reached the curb, I had learned a little about his life, and shared some elements of mine. Safely on the sidewalk, we shook hands and exchanged ‘au revoirs’.
Who received the bigger gift? I believe I did. It was the gift of an opportunity to expand my heart, to connect with a Parisian beyond the formal interactions at tourist sites and shopping venues, and to possibly counteract stereotypes of travelers from our country. It cost absolutely nothing, beyond the risk of bearing the irritation of annoyed drivers (which never materialized). It’s the kind of gift we can give and receive any day. And the memory of that gift will likely endure.