My Easter Story
April 16, 2006
Beijing, Saint Regis restaurant
Yesterday, at lunch time, I had to meet my friends at Jianguomenwai, near my friend Magali's apartment. We were then supposed to go to eat in a very common Chinese restaurant, and then, make a Easter happening in a park nearby, to share our western hidding Easter chocolate eggs tradition stuff with Chinese passers, who would surely have loved to play with us ... but it suddenly went a totally different way when, walking besides my friends on Jianguomenwai, I realized they where aaaall so dressed up, too much dressed up actually for a Sichuanese cantine, and I suddenly felt very uncomfortable checking at my jeans, sweater and those boots I have been wearing for, er, six months ? yes, 6 months.
And then, after a ten minutes walk, no Sichuanese, no three RMB jiaozis steamer showing off... and the Saint Regis Hotel suddenly surged up from the earth. I heard myself throwing a long, long "noooo", which is definitely not what we're supposed to say to friends who are taking you in the most fancy restaurant intown. But I did. Because a few days before that, I declined their idea to have this gorgeous Easter brunch at the Saint Regis, just because I could not afford it (500 RMB). So, guess what. They told me " oh! ok, we understand" and sealed a pact behind me. They just declined my refusal, and made me this huge surprise by offering me the most incredible brunch I've ever had. They did it for my birthday, which happens to be next week.
Everybody in there was very chic, very glamourous. Waiters and waitresses very discrete and elegant. The caviar at will and the Champagne were on top too. As well as all those perfect little cakes and crêpes Suzette. Kids were playing in the garden, looking for the Easter eggs.
So, if I have to remember just one lesson from that experience, it would be this one: whenever your friends advise you to put some lovely clothes on tomorrow, even if you don't understand why you should do so, don't ask. Just do it. Because jeans are definitely not glamourous at Saint Regis. I can tell you.
