The Hungry Child From China
Her name is Nicole Criquet. She is a chubby lady who likes to wear bright, bold, colorful clothes. She tends to wear heavy eye makeup, which makes her big round eyes even bigger. Her real signature thing, however, is her "loud" funky eyeglasses and the giant warm smile underneath them.
I met Nicole when I was studying in France in the early 90s. Nicole lives very near to our school. She has a day job at the town hall, and works part time as a cashier in our school cafeteria, which is commonly called "Restaurant U" in France. She spotted me first.
I go to France with a scholarship from the French government. My school fees and health insurance are all paid for. In addition, I am given a monthly stipend of 3,100 francs in my first year, and then 3,300 francs during my second year there. However, I have to pay for my own accommodations. My dorm room costs 1,700 francs per month. Because of the financial situations of my family, I have decided not to ask my family for any money during these two years. That means, I have 1,600 francs (approximately US$308) per month for everything else. It is a tough life.
I frequent the Restaurant U everyday because it is the cheapest place to eat and it is right on campus. As you enter, on the right, there is a stainless steel table for a couple of salads and compote. Next, is a stainless steel shelf with yoghurts and occasional appetizers like a thin slice of ham over a wedge of cantaloupe. I have never bought that, but my friends say it is very good. The last stand is for entrees. There are usually two meat items to choose from, plus a vegetable or a starch item like boiled or mashed potatoes. Across the way is a drink station where you can buy cheap wine in small carafes. This is not a giant drink dispenser like what you see in fast food restaurants nowadays. It is just a small cart that has a couple of taps for wine. No ice, no sodas. Very basic.
At Restaurant U, the only time you use money is when you refill your meal card. Otherwise, no cash payment is accepted. The meal card has no smart chips or magnetic strips. Your account is marked by the slots punched out on the card. I have never seen anything like that before.
One day, I carry my tray to Nicole's register and hand my meal card to her. She pushes it back to me, and says, "This is not enough food. Go get something nutritious, like a yoghurt." I look at her all confused, "Since when do cashiers decide what you eat and what is enough?" I tell her this is all I want. "No, this is not good enough. You need to take better care of yourself. Go get a yoghurt. Do you prefer a fruit? Want an apple?" She puts an apple on my tray, snatches the meal card off my hand and processes my purchase. "Okay, go eat now." She pushes my tray away and starts handling the next person in line. I am totally in shock. What just happened? What is she doing? I, then, look at the receipt on my tray: 1 entree. She only charged me for the entree? What about the apple? What is going on?
The next time I see Nicole at the Restaurant U, I intentionally pick her line. "Bonjour! Do you remember me? Last time you charged me an entree. I also had an apple . . ." I utter with my broken French. Nicole stares at me through her gigantic eyeglasses, "I don't know what you are referring to, but I am glad you ate an apple. So, what are you eating today? Do you have a yoghurt with your meal? If not, maybe take a banana." What is she doing? I have a budget: I cannot spend more than 12 francs per meal or I won't have enough money to last through the month. Just as I am wondering what to say to her, she has already gone to grab a yoghurt and places it on my tray. She quickly checks me out and calls out "Next in line, please!" I look at the receipt on my tray. Once again: 1 entree.
Oh. I think I got it now. Maybe she is feeding me. Can a stranger be trying to quietly feed me? Is it that obvious to her that I do not have enough money to eat?
From that point on, every time I see Nicole at the Restaurant U, she hollers me and insists that I go through her line. Every single time, she makes sure I have more than just an entree. Be it a fruit, a yoghurt or a compote. She just does not let me go pass her register without having something extra.
My best friend, Luc, finds out about this and calls it one of "Meipo's strategic friendships". Yes, I am also friends with the cleaning lady, the campus mailman and the maintenance engineer. These wonderful people all helped me at times of need without asking for anything back. I never intentionally try to be friends with them. All I do is to say "Bonjour" when I see them, and say "Merci beaucoup" when they do things for me. To be frank, what do I have to give back anyways? I guess the real reason for all of this is that they somehow see that I am a poor, lonely foreign student who has nobody and nothing. They are just being kind. While the faculty and school administration gives me a really hard time, these "little guys" on the campus show mercy and compassion for me.
I used to correspond with Nicole even after my return to Hong Kong. I have since lost touch with her. I have been looking for her for many years. I want so much to tell her I am forever grateful for what she has done for me. I want her to know I am doing fine now and get to eat well every day.
If you know how to find Nicole, please let me know.
I met Nicole when I was studying in France in the early 90s. Nicole lives very near to our school. She has a day job at the town hall, and works part time as a cashier in our school cafeteria, which is commonly called "Restaurant U" in France. She spotted me first.
I go to France with a scholarship from the French government. My school fees and health insurance are all paid for. In addition, I am given a monthly stipend of 3,100 francs in my first year, and then 3,300 francs during my second year there. However, I have to pay for my own accommodations. My dorm room costs 1,700 francs per month. Because of the financial situations of my family, I have decided not to ask my family for any money during these two years. That means, I have 1,600 francs (approximately US$308) per month for everything else. It is a tough life.
I frequent the Restaurant U everyday because it is the cheapest place to eat and it is right on campus. As you enter, on the right, there is a stainless steel table for a couple of salads and compote. Next, is a stainless steel shelf with yoghurts and occasional appetizers like a thin slice of ham over a wedge of cantaloupe. I have never bought that, but my friends say it is very good. The last stand is for entrees. There are usually two meat items to choose from, plus a vegetable or a starch item like boiled or mashed potatoes. Across the way is a drink station where you can buy cheap wine in small carafes. This is not a giant drink dispenser like what you see in fast food restaurants nowadays. It is just a small cart that has a couple of taps for wine. No ice, no sodas. Very basic.
At Restaurant U, the only time you use money is when you refill your meal card. Otherwise, no cash payment is accepted. The meal card has no smart chips or magnetic strips. Your account is marked by the slots punched out on the card. I have never seen anything like that before.
One day, I carry my tray to Nicole's register and hand my meal card to her. She pushes it back to me, and says, "This is not enough food. Go get something nutritious, like a yoghurt." I look at her all confused, "Since when do cashiers decide what you eat and what is enough?" I tell her this is all I want. "No, this is not good enough. You need to take better care of yourself. Go get a yoghurt. Do you prefer a fruit? Want an apple?" She puts an apple on my tray, snatches the meal card off my hand and processes my purchase. "Okay, go eat now." She pushes my tray away and starts handling the next person in line. I am totally in shock. What just happened? What is she doing? I, then, look at the receipt on my tray: 1 entree. She only charged me for the entree? What about the apple? What is going on?
The next time I see Nicole at the Restaurant U, I intentionally pick her line. "Bonjour! Do you remember me? Last time you charged me an entree. I also had an apple . . ." I utter with my broken French. Nicole stares at me through her gigantic eyeglasses, "I don't know what you are referring to, but I am glad you ate an apple. So, what are you eating today? Do you have a yoghurt with your meal? If not, maybe take a banana." What is she doing? I have a budget: I cannot spend more than 12 francs per meal or I won't have enough money to last through the month. Just as I am wondering what to say to her, she has already gone to grab a yoghurt and places it on my tray. She quickly checks me out and calls out "Next in line, please!" I look at the receipt on my tray. Once again: 1 entree.
Oh. I think I got it now. Maybe she is feeding me. Can a stranger be trying to quietly feed me? Is it that obvious to her that I do not have enough money to eat?
From that point on, every time I see Nicole at the Restaurant U, she hollers me and insists that I go through her line. Every single time, she makes sure I have more than just an entree. Be it a fruit, a yoghurt or a compote. She just does not let me go pass her register without having something extra.
My best friend, Luc, finds out about this and calls it one of "Meipo's strategic friendships". Yes, I am also friends with the cleaning lady, the campus mailman and the maintenance engineer. These wonderful people all helped me at times of need without asking for anything back. I never intentionally try to be friends with them. All I do is to say "Bonjour" when I see them, and say "Merci beaucoup" when they do things for me. To be frank, what do I have to give back anyways? I guess the real reason for all of this is that they somehow see that I am a poor, lonely foreign student who has nobody and nothing. They are just being kind. While the faculty and school administration gives me a really hard time, these "little guys" on the campus show mercy and compassion for me.
I used to correspond with Nicole even after my return to Hong Kong. I have since lost touch with her. I have been looking for her for many years. I want so much to tell her I am forever grateful for what she has done for me. I want her to know I am doing fine now and get to eat well every day.
If you know how to find Nicole, please let me know.
I love this story, Meipo. It is very sweet. I hope Nicole turns up again, if only to say hi. (I take it you've tried searching her on Facebook already...) Even if you don't, you will always remember her.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You were such a serious child!