the tabac-an autoethnographic account.

Today I went to the tabac and a seasoned smoker was in front of me in the queue commenting (a little unfavourably) on the new shop layout (it's recently been taken over by new management). She bought the cheaper brand of cigarettes so he used it as leverage to imply she's poor, in return.

Then they both just kind of laughed it off, she complimented the shop and he said "I hope to see you soon".

This conveys a certain judgemental attitude of the new owner, evident by his clean cut appearance and good manners. He is seemingly in a less consumerist area than before and finding it hard to fit in despite effort. The laugh is a mature reaction from both parties to the awkward tension arising actually initially from honesty without understanding leading to complicity with improved understanding.