Rillifane
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You will find that 15 year old French girls dress pretty much like 15 year old American girls. They are perhaps a bit more dressy and less likely to affect "ghetto" styles.
But since I assume you will either be with a school group or with your parental units its not likely that you'll be able to escape being identified as a tourist, especially once you have to speak. (Even if you speak fluent classroom French you won't sound like a French teenager...they use as much slang as any American)
As to how to act, the French are somewhat more restrained than Americans. Loud and boisterous behavior is not favored by adults and even young people tend to be quieter.
French students your age are more disciplined because the French equivalent of high school is vastly more difficult and intellectually challenging on average than the American.
If you do wind up speaking to French kids your own age you will probably discover that they know more than you do about just about every academic subject.
But the main thing, no matter where you go, is to keep an open mind about things, be polite, and remember that the point of travel is to learn. |
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darkvince7
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Rillifane say everything already.
I don't know why people tell you to not wear sneakers...If by sneakers you mean basketball or skateboard shoes, almost everyone from 10 to 30 wears this in France.
Converse or converse-like shoes are the shoes you will see the most here. |
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walyank
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No matter what you do you will look and act like what you are, a tourist. Get over it and enjoy your trip. |
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cherryblossom
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I'm in Paris right now on vacation, and I see a lot of young kids wearing similar clothes as Americans - like skinny jeans with converse shoes, etc. Opt for darker clothes. Brown, black and grey are staples here, it seems, and a fitted black jacket. The only real difference I see between American kids and French kids is not the style of clothes but the size. French kids tend to be skinny in general - they are most likely size 0s and 2s max.
You'll be fine. Don't worry a lot about "looking like a tourist" because if you are doing a lot of touring, you can't look "Parisien" because those Parisiens do not walk 10 hours a day straight to go from a site to site. |
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sweetmommy
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Sneakers, A&F tees, Hollister Tees, & Am. Eagle tees are a dead giveaway that you are American. Wear nice pants or a skirt with a nice blouse or even a cute dress. Try to speak as much french as you can, even if it's not perfect. Be extra polite. |
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finestrat1
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There are so many turists in Paris, you will be just one more. Confortable shoes are a must. You will walk a lot. You don´t have to be dressed up to the nine, so dress like you do at home. Some basic French will help a lot and take a pocket guide with you, which also includes some French phrases. Don´t forget, youwill be in a large city with all i´s problems like all people in a rush etc. |
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suger_rush90
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There are a lot of tourists (as a lot of people have already said)...... it is very beautiful, i went there this summer and it was a blast......People in Paris dress VERY simple, no need to bring tons of clothes and accesories. when i went there, there were alot of people wearing the same thing everyday for the whole week!
so dont worry about trying to look like a common person there
they do not care what you wear
hope you have a great time!! |
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Matt
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Don't wear a tee shirt. Don't wear a cap.
You're done!
Many tourists have tee shirts with large text such as
"University of xxx", "yyy National Park", "I LOVE zzz", etc.
By avoid wearing teeshirts and you won't look like 90% of tourists. |
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patrice
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you need to speak french !!! |
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BUBBLES
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Where are you from? The USA? |
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laurakh7
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Okay, first of all I have to say... it's OKAY to look like a tourist - afterall you are a tourist! Secondly, even if you try to speak some French (which they do really appreciate), the moment you open your mouth, they will know that you aren't French. Otherwise, as someone else said, avoid the sneakers and baseball hats... the French do have a tendency to dress up a little more than we do. Ladies tend to wear more skirts, nice (but comfortable shoes), and scarves. Gentlemen seem to wear nicer pants (like khakis or better) with nice, button down shirts. Good luck! |
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rmkenterprise
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Traveling is a unique experience in that you get to meet many different people from many different cultures. However, one thing you will realize is that people are people. We are all the same.
The only thing that would seperate you from the others and looking like a tourist is probably language. Be it body language or linguistic. If you know how to speak French, then it wouldnt be difficult. As far as acting, Im sure you will find others your age to act just as you do.
When you get there you might have to resist the urge to act like a tourist! Whenever going to a new state, or a new country, you can be overwhelmed by what you see, prompting you to look like a tourist snapping pics with your camera. lol, just have fun! |
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risenphoenix
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do not wear sneakers! that is a dead giveaway. wear nice clothes...khakis, nice black pants, capris (depends on the weather), and nice but comfy shoes. Learn some of the basic phrases in French. Also try and get a pocketbook/ wallet that you can concel because there are a lot of pickpockets in the subway and on the street. Good luck and have fun! |
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lauren s
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don't squirt ketchup at the pigeons like the kids i saw eating at picnic tables in the park.....oooooh my god....
it's more attitude -- use your fork & knife properly etc... wear decent shoes....not sandles....act like you know where you are going & learn a few words of french so you can ask directions when you don't know...
have fun!!! |
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Pelagius
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Why not dress as if you are a Frenchman visiting Paris from another part of France? Sensible trousers with a silly jacket etc...
Or if you are a teenager, dress any way you like. They are the same the world over.
I think your question is how not to behave like a tourist: look at your map rarely and discreetly, don't carry a colourful backpack around with you etc. |
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mimaurora
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Don't worry about it, but if that really bothers you just dress trendy......oh!!! and probably you can speak french?...that for sure will not make you look like a tourist lol.........no seriously just enjoy yourself, nobody is going to take notice of you, there is so many people and tourists that you will be one more |
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1960story
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don't wear anything "sporty" |
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samicles
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Walk around with your head down, not looking at anything, and carry a shopping bag with a french stick poking out of it hahaha |
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cristina b
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I think that you WANT look like a glamourous american tourist and NOT like a cheap poor american tourist. Wear dresses and nice pants and cute shoes but not hight heels, always a nice pair of sunglasses, a cute purse, and it does not matter if you dont speak french, you are american and you should be proud, So english is better than the french, hahaha, Feel like a Diva in Paris |
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