... where it stops, nobody knows
I will make an exception to my own, elegant rule of not posting anything from Madam Mao's public account. Just this time and because I am more than fed up with all the 🐒🎪in my Anons and DMs.
So, irrespective of any other legitimate speculation, here is something that had one of my eagle-eyed friends stop in their tracks:
Red arrow is one of the wicker chairs on that particular cafe terrace. It is empty and not pushed back. Actually, it is right up against the table, so it is safe to assume it was not used. We will come back to it in a moment. Bear with me.
Blue arrow is the reflection of her own wine glass. I am certainly no expert and I have never been fond of those reflection pics - however this one is so clear, I choked on my Pepsi upon examining it closer.
Green arrow is what clearly looks like a pen and notepad, the kind one often finds near the phone or on the desk in hotels. You never know when genius or boredom might strike. Milady McDoodle, so to speak.
And yes, it's a sort of 'look, mom, no hands' situation. But a pic could be taken either by propping your phone on any bottle or extra glass on that table (such as a glass of water), or simply asking the serveur/waiter. Granted, they are not the most accommodating in the world, but this is a tourist hotspot, so I think they are used to all sorts of exotic requests, such as this one.
But let's go a bit further: here is an extremely recent pic of the very spot the 📷 was taken at. It will make complete sense for those who saw the whole pic in that IG story, up to some very clear details:
Red arrow is the giveaway detail.
Blue arrow shows that, for practical reasons that have to do with the width of that particular Paris street, there are only two chairs at that table. People who truly live or lived in Paris know exactly what I am talking about.
Also note the wooden deck terrace floor. It is important. Finally, the faux wicker chairs are identical.
For those who don't, let's take a short virtual, time travel stroll on the same street:
This is the street view of that particular spot in May 2024. For some reason, it does not feature the decked terrace.
Red arrow is the jewelry shop.
Blue arrow is the cafe's year long storefront.
Green arrow is that particular street's width. Not exactly a boulevard, this is Paris. Not New York.
Purple arrow are the paid parking spots the decked summer terrace was (even partially) installed this year and on which the infamous IG story 📷 was taken. They are clearly signaled as 'payant' (paid). People who really lived in Paris know parking downtown is always a bitch and parking for free, a pipe dream.
And now, for the current regulations on cafes and restaurants terraces:
[Source: https://www.pariscommerces.fr/developper-son-commerce/reglementation-pour-installer-des-terrasses-et-etalages]
May I translate?
Paris: the return of the summer terraces
On July 1, 2021, the City of Paris revised its Regulations for Outdoor Displays and Terraces (RET). Since then, cafes and restaurants have been authorized to set up a summer terrace for seven months of the year, from April 1 to October 31.
These terraces are permitted on parking spaces, sidewalks, medians, small squares, and temporarily pedestrianized streets. However, they are subject to location limits and restrictions:
On the sidewalk: the terrace may extend to the side of the business and in front of adjacent buildings; Along buildings, terraces are permitted only in front of blank walls and in front of businesses that have granted permission.
On a parking space: the terrace (with mandatory decking and side barriers) may be installed directly in front of the business, plus one parking space on either side, but installation is prohibited in reserved parking areas (delivery spaces, disabled parking spaces, taxis, motorcycles, scooters, bicycle stations, e-scooters, Mobilib, and cash-in-transit vehicles).
To expand or install a terrace, an application for authorization must be submitted to the City of Paris via this platform.
I believe this settles the matter?
PS: with many, many thanks to my two very kind and opportune informers. You know who you are and I am very grateful for this.
And cue in Anons who know better, as always. I can't say I care, anymore.