Or perhaps it is proof that I take my Southern politeness to a fault. Either way, it’s a story my husband won’t let me live down.
After a long day of sightseeing, Gary and I were relaxing on the Spanish Steps, as the boys skipped up and down the stairs. As I stretched out my weary legs, a street vendor approached me holding a bundle of roses. “A lady, so pretty, must have roses,” he said in broken English. I wanted to be flattered, but I knew that he was giving me a well rehearsed sales pitch. I refused, as politely as I could and tried to look away, but he was insistent.
“No money, a gift for pretty lady,” he said as he thrust the rose towards me. So, I reached out my hand and took the gift. Big mistake. He immediately turned on my sweet husband and insisted that he pay for the roses. I tried in vain to give the roses back, but the vendors hand hung limp at his side.
“Why did you take them?” Gary asked, slightly annoyed.
”Well, he said they were a gift,” I offered.
“And you believed him?”
“Well, yes I did. I believed him when he said a pretty lady deserves roses,” I said with a pointed wink.
With a grudging eye roll, Gary pulled a few coins out of his pocket. The vendor’s limp hand suddenly shot to attention, as he scooped up the coins.
“Very pretty lady, very lucky man,” he said in congratulations to my husband.
“Yes, very lucky,” my husband said in agreement, as he rolled his eyes and smiled a half smile that told me he couldn’t agree more.
This post is linked to Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.
They're so persistent over there, aren't they? 🙂
I remember those obnoxious rose vendors well. They are persistent(and savvy). Cute story!
I didn't realize that was why they would offer them as gifts. We always said no, thanks goodness.