This week, I worked with the morning team at the main pastry shop in Paris. During eight hours, the team produces all the cakes, ice creams, pastries, tarts, and breads that are later sold in the store.

Approximately 20 young, intelligent Frenchmen (and one woman) work non-stop with three or four interns to produce trays and trays of the most beautiful and tasty treats I've ever seen. Their work is impeccable, and they are dedicated and passionate.

But they don't seem to be having a lot of fun. This is serious business and talking to one another, joking, and laughing are strictly prohibited. I'm often awestruck when I stand back and watch them all working. Each person is completely focused on their task at hand. The room is totally silent except for the humming of the convection oven or the numerous freezers and refrigerators.

I don't know about them, but I work better when I'm having fun. I think it's entirely possible to have a conversation with someone and do a good job. But perhaps perfection requires silence. At least that's what I'm coming to understand.

But even though the people are serious, they are still polite. If I'm searching for something, someone will usually show me where it is. If I have a question about how to do something, someone will stop and explain. But they are not here to make friends. They're here to make perfect pastry. Perhaps that's the secret behind the meltingly fabulous products that line the display case when you walk in the door.

As an intern, I certainly get to learn a lot. But I'm also treated like an intern too. I'm always told when I'm doing something wrong, but never told that I'm doing something right. Granted I learn more when someone shows me what I've done wrong, but just once, I'd like to be told that I did a good job. Today I was even told I need to iron my uniform. Excuse me, what???? I need to iron something that is completely covered by an apron and that I'll get fairly dirty throughout the course of the day? I understand and appreciate the idea behind being professional, but really I think that's going a bit far.

The other teams I've worked with are not quite so serious, so you can imagine why I'm excited to work with the macaron team for the next two weeks. At least I feel that they like me, even if it's just a little bit!