Re:

no gift, inappropriate

I can do oui and no and bonjour, bonsoir, c'est bon, petit dejeuner, merci, and that's about it. I need you to help me think of a great gift for Ariane. She gave me a beautiful clutch by a french designer who designs clutches to look like books; mine is Virginia Woolf, The Waves. Tres chic!

oui

How can I not send a house guest gift? Not extravagant, just thoughtful. Basic manners, no?

you are working for the bank, you will do something when she is in ny??

Yes, ok, for further discussion. Women are generally better at these things than men.

With you, virtually everything is gendered. So says the science. And, yes, I pay attention.

Just arrived at the Paris residence. Am speechless. Truly.