Doris & Ethel in Paris - 1964

 

Doris Selmonsky Stern & Ethel Selmonsky Jaker

 

A story from Peter…

Luke, Doris and Ethel were in France.  Ethel complained that Luke was monopolizing the talking and not giving her a chance to use her French.

One evening after they settled into their hotel room, Luke said he was going to rest and told Ethel and Doris to get some bread and cheese, which would give Ethel a chance to practice her French.

They went into a bakery and the woman behind the counter said "Mesdames."

Ethel started to talk, but choked before uttering a word.  The woman behind the counter once again said "Mesdames," but Ethel still could not say anything.

Finally, Doris pointed to a large loaf of bread.  The woman put her knife on top of it at the point where she was going to cut. Doris made a hand gesture to move the knife to the desired position, which she did.  Finally, when Doris was satisfied with the size of the piece to be cut, she nodded and the woman cut the bread.  Doris then did the same with the cheese.

The woman wrapped the bread and cheese, then Doris gave her a bill which she knew would be enough.  The woman took the money, gave them change and then Doris and walked out - the transaction having been completed without either one of them having said a single word.