'Merci'. HelpDesk had once again helped me with something for my laptop. Whereas I had become accustomed to hearing 'that's not my job' and 'that's not [department]'s role' as a response, this one individual stood out for his reputation of taking on all requests and trying to solve them. Another colleague was there and I asked them how to say 'you're so helpful' in French. A pause, and then 'there's not really an exact word. Utile, or perhaps serviable.' Not quite, I wasn't looking to say someone was useful or of service, both words sounded a bit uncomfortably calculated.

In elementary school, a teacher told us not to use the word 'nice' - it was boring and overly common. I think she had a point. I have the opposite reaction to the French word 'gentil'. I interpret this word as sitting somewhere between 'nice' and 'kind'. Yet whenever someone in France says 'oh, c'est gentil' (once when I brought croissants for the office, once when I gave a present), I can't help but adore the moment. Perhaps it is because I hear it so sparingly, and I think it's because of its relatively low use that makes it so endearing - it comes forth in spontaneous moments of sincerity.