How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Gigi.
Quote #7
GIGI: What will you eat for dinner tonight?
GASTON: Filet of sole with mussels. And a lamb filet with truffles. It's always the same. It can't compare with your grandmother's cassoulet.
You'd think that all Gaston's money could buy him some variety, but he feels that everything in his life is the same. The attraction of the cassoulet is that it's not something he usually gets to eat. Maxim's wouldn't serve it and he'd be laughed out of the restaurant if he asked for it. And he'd be a laughingstock if he was seen ducking into a bistro that had cassoulet on the menu. It's comfort food for Gaston, just as Mamita's home is relaxing to him.
Quote #8
MADAM ALVAREZ: It's just a pork cassoulet. It was impossible to get any goose this week.
GASTON: Well I'll have them send you a brace from the country.
To his credit, Gaston's very generous with Gigi's family. He never comes by without bringing some kind of treat they might not be able to afford. Nothing extravagant—that would be insulting—but those little extras that Gigi and Mamita enjoy. He probably sees how easy it is to make Gigi happy, as opposed to women like Liane who expect expensive gifts. It's only when he begins to think of Gigi as a potential lover that he buys her an expensive bracelet.
Quote #9
MADAM ALVAREZ: One has to be as rich as you, Gaston, to be bored in Monte Carlo.
Monte Carlo was the local glamorous playground for the rich. It was (still is) the ultimate in luxury and excitement. But for Gaston, it's business as usual. He'd probably been there many, many times. Mamita and Gigi could only dream of going there with enough money to be bored.