Tips for someone who might be going to Paris?

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Rillifane

Generally speaking the French are more formal than most North Americans.

In everyday speech this means appending "s'il vous plÃ¢it" to any request. It means saying "je voudrais" and not "donnez moi" when ordering from a menu. It means calling the waiter "Monsieur" and not "GarÃ§on." It means greeting the staff at a shop with "Bonjour" (madam or monsieur as appropriate) before ordering something and saying goodbye when you leave.

The French tend to follow the older practice of not calling each other by first names or using the familiar without at least some acquaintance (although this is not so much true of young people).

The easy presumption of friendship or the discussing of personal matters with relative strangers that is common in North America is sometimes seen as boorish or crude by the French.

Americans in particular who will talk about the intimate details of their love lives, the state of their personal finances, and the cost of everything they own with someone they met ten minutes ago are, for that reason, regarded as utterly outrÃ©.

On the other hand, Americans, who have been taught to never discuss politics or religion, sometimes think they are being singled out for abuse when the French express their opinions on such matters. They are not, of course. they are simply engaging in the second most popular French indoor sport (and the one that does not usually require a bed).

The French are quieter than Americans. Being loud and boisterous is bad manners. In restaurants and cafes one can often pick out the Americans simply by checking to see who is speaking loudly.

The same is true visually. Avoid wearing garish color combinations or bright primary colors. Think black when packing and leave the Hawaiian print shirts at home.

When in a cafe, which often seems the center of life in Paris, recall that Cafe au lait is only called that at breakfast. At other times it is "cafÃ© crÃ¨me " or "une crÃ¨me." If ordering the a standard tiny cup of black coffee, sound like a native by calling for "un espress."

Asking for special preparation of food items is generally frowned on as is the practice of the "doggy bag." Butter is served with bread only at breakfast and with the cheese course. Don't ask for it otherwise. If you can't stand the sight of blood then don't order a steak in France. If you want meat cooked till its grey go to England.

By law, prices must be posted in the window of cafes. You will notice that there are usually at least two price levels. One is for service at the bar (le zinc) and the other for table service. It is cheating to buy a drink at the bar and then take a table to drink it at.

When you pay for something the person taking your money expects you to put it down, rather than taking it directly from your hand. Most places have a sort of tray on the counter expressly for this purpose.

When you're in a theater and have to go by someone to get to your seat always pass in front of them facing toward them, that is, away from the screen or the stage. It's very rude otherwise. Ushers in theaters, including movie theaters, should be tipped when they show you to your seat. A small coin is enough.

Although there are fewer and fewer of them with each passing year there are still public toilet facilities that have attendants. They should also be tipped.

When traveling on public transportation you'll notice little fold down seats close to the doors. These can be used until the subway car fills up. If and when it does become crowded you should stand up to make more room. You'll also notice that there are some seats which are identified as being for wounded war veterans, pregnant women etc. You may sit there but should give up your seat if someone in these categories needs it.

If you keep you eyes open, watch what others do, and bear in mind that even in the simplest things there can be differences, you'll do fine.

Deulan

Follow the first gent's advice and be yourself. You will have a wonderful time and if someone nods their head wave back or nod in reply. Make sure to acknowledge anyone who's kind or is willing to help you for whatever if it's to benefit you. Bon Voyage!!-D

Guy D

It is very important for you to pick up a phrase book before going to Paris, I like Rick Steves. Also, Americans are easily spotted in Europe and in Paris, there are pickpockets and solicitors that lurk on the subways and around tourist areas; and these people target mainly the older or the obviously confused tourist. I would suggest going to Versailles for at least half a day and going to St. Chappelle which is commonly overlooked by tourists. St. Chappelle is on Ile de la Cite by Notre Dame. Also, Paris has some of the greatest pizza in Europe, so try some.

Gallet

Paris isn't as lovely as its shown on TV. The place is packed with tourists, people trying to sell you trinkets of the eiffel tower and there are beggars and homeless people everywhere. Honestly, every day I was there I was approached by beggars carrying their children asking for money or saw homeless people in the train stations urinating etc.

And the sights are packed with tourists. And tourists are rude - eg using flash photography in churches etc. And there are tourist shops everywhere. Eg on Ile de cite, the little island on the seine river, if you walk the main road from the Concergie to Notre Dame it is wall to wall souvenir shops.

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