Autrefois

The brightly colored walls and candied fruits beckoned me into the store. Filled with brightly packaged edible gifts, such as the famous calissons (ground almonds, candied melon peel and orange peel with a sweet white icing) and beautiful displays of candied apricots and orange peels.
A matronly lady will offered us a biscuit as we browsed.
Most of the candied sweets and biscuits we were familiar with.
However we have never tried a calisson or their sweet candied ‘olives’. When I asked to try an olive, they opened a tin box. My husband took one and recommended buy a couple packages.
Then I asked to try one. I was told that I tried something before and I’m not allowed to try one more. I asked if I could try a calisson, and was told they don’t let anyone try those.
Ok– I get that the production value of the calisson is higher. But to be denied a sample of a small value item that was previously offered seems silly.
Perhaps it was due to a communication error. Either way, I bought one bag instead of 5 – 6 and left.