I'm going to France. A little help?

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Rillifane

Wear whatever you are comfortable in. The weather can be quite variable and it rains frequently, so be prepared.

If you're an American you probably won't find shopping a very happy experience because the dollar is weak at the moment and taxes are always high (however there are circumstances in which you can get a refund of the sales tax which is called the VAT).

If you do shop then the flea markets are a good choice and fun to walk around even if you don't buy anything. The biggest is the St. Ouen flea market. You get there by going on the Metro to the Porte de Clignancourt (line 4) or Porte de St-Ouen (line 13).

While there is little violent crime in Paris there is a problem with pickpockets and purse snatchers. You should get a money belt or other concealable way of carrying most of your money and your passport. Never carry anything in a purse you don't want to lose.

In June, in Paris the average temperature is 72 degrees farenheit and the average rainfall is 2.2 inches. You can expect rain very other day.

Even a few words of French will be helpful. Especially since you are young, I think you will find that people will be very kind if you make the effort. Some phrases you might use are:

Bonjour Monsieur (if its a man)/ Madame (if its a lady). [hello sir/madam]

Say this whenever you enter a cafe or a small store. Saying hello in this situation is regarded as basic politeness and the French almost always do so.

Parlez-vous anglais? [do you speak English]

In most big cities a very high percentage of the people will speak english but they still like to be asked before you start speaking it to them.

S'il vous plaÃ®t [please]

The French say please a lot more than Americans. You'll never be wrong adding please in any situation in which it might conceivably be proper.

Merci [Thank you]

Same as with please. Say it alot. It costs nothing and is appreciated.

OÃ¹ sont les toilettes? [where's the toilet?]

Obviously a vital phrase for any tourist.

Je voudrais ceci/cela [I would like this/that]

A good phase for pointing at something on a menu or at something in a display case. Don't forget to add "S'il vous plaÃ®t"

Paris has so much to offer. Take advantage of every moment. Go with an open heart and an open mind.

Have a wonderful time!

katja_singer

i went to France last June for a few weeks and i found myself rolling up the bottom cuffs on my pants a lot to make Capri's. i would suggest Capri's and a tank top. for shoes we would all wear flip flops but it was so dirty there that we all ended up washing our feet in the budaes at the end of the day because our feet were on the border line of brown, so i would definitely wear tennis shoes
don't bring a purse, there are SO MANY pick pocket's around. i almost got pick pocketed a few times with my backpack on. they make money belts and necklaces that are GREAT!!! cuz people that pickpocket don't reach down your shirt or your pants. their just like a fanny pack only people don't see them and the necklaces are like a little pouch around your neck
people tell me to only carry as much as your willing to lose, but i had all of my money on me at all times which might not have been smart but i still had it all
over all i would invest in a money belt or necklace if i were you

Jack

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1116.html

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