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 | Paris Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 793 |  |
 | |  |  | Stereotypes: Rude, or friendly?: Different Cultures, Different Practices | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
When entering a shop in Paris, you are expected to say hello. The shop clerk's job is to serve you; you need to announce your intention so she would know what to do. If you only want to look around, say so. If you want to look at merchandise, say "May I...?" If the merchandise is not in plain view, ask to see it. Do not reach up and do not rifle.
In a clothing store, do not try on innumerable articles just to see how they look on you. After you pick out a couple of items that you would like to purchase, tell the clerk you are going to make a decision after comparing them. In the end, if you decide you don't want anything, thank her for her trouble. When walking out of the shop, whether after a purchase or just a look-see, always say goodbye and thank you.
Shopping is the first encounter that usually leads to an immediate opinion in the mind of most travellers. As Americans, we are used to wandering in shops, checking things out, touching this and that, and then taking it to the cashier, all without much personal attention. Think of the reverse, now. Think of times when you were young and your Mom took you to a general store; the first thing she told you were "Don't touch" and then the man behind the counter said, "How may I help you?" The question was not rhetorical then and it is still not now in Europe.
In the restaurant, don't expect the waiter to come asking if everything is fine with your meal. Waitstaff in the US earn their living upon tips; thus, they check on customers often and make sure the tables are turned over in timely matter. In Europe, besides the fact that tips are not required, meals are social events and there is no rush. If you don't ask for the check, no one will give it to you. If you need something from the waiter, discreetly signal instead of calling out for his attention. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Parlez vous francais?: If you don't speak Français... | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Here are a few useful phrases and sentences that may be helpful if you're visiting Paris:
1. Quelle heure est-il? = What time is it?
2. Je voudrais___s'il vous plait. = I would like___please.
3. Je prends un chocolat chaud = I'll have a hot chocolat
4. Ca coute combien? = How much does this cost?
5. Vous fermez a quelle heure? = What time do you close at?
6. Parlez-vous anglais? = Do you speak English?
7. Prenez vous des cartes de credit? = Do you accept credit cards?
8. Je ne comprends pas = I don't understand
9. Combien = How much
10. Aujourd'hui, demain, hier = Today, tomorrow, yesterday
11. Comment allez-vous = How are you?
12. Merci, pardon, excusez-moi = Thank you, pardon me, excuse me
If you really think you want to learn French, I would recommend the "10 Minutes a Day Series." It helped me learn German, when I bought the German version. They come with stickers, flashcards, and are very easy to learn from. You can buy them at any Chapters, and in most bookstores. They're available in several differnt languages. They cost just under $20 CAN. If you want to order one, here are the numbers. You can also visit their website. Leave a Comment Phone: 1-(800)-488-5068Website: www.bilingualbooks.org Other Contact: 1-(206)-284-4211
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| | | | Rules of Engagement: ETIQUETTE ~ The FRENCH Way | Tip Rating: | | | | |
'POLITESSE' ~
Parisians are polite, especially to older people.
In Paris, the difference between getting good and bad service is the difference between a little meek 'politesse' and careless rudeness.
Tone and facial expressions can work wonders.
Maintain composure at all times and act like you mean business; speak softly and politely (do employ the standard "monsieur/madame" and "s'il vous plaît") to Parisians in official positions, especially if they are older than you.
ARGUING ~
Avoid doing this with Parisians.
Do not assume you can talk your way into something. To the French, conversation, especially 'arguing' is an ART form that has taken centuries to refine.
When the concierge sitting in front of a rack of keys tells you there are no vacancies, or when the maître d' insists that he cannot seat you in a restaurant full of empty tables, move on.
GIFTS ~
If you are invited to someone's house for lunch or dinner, it is expected of you that you won't come empty-handed.
Wine is a common and perfectly adequate thank-you gift, as is food or flowers.
A word to the wise: unless you're attending a wake, do not bring a bouquet of chrysanthemums; they are a flower of mourning.
SERVICE ~
There is no assumption in Paris that "the customer is always right," and complaining to managers about poor service is rarely worth your while. Your best bet is to take your business elsewhere.
When engaged in any official process (e.g., opening a bank account, purchasing insurance, etc.), don't fret if you get shuffled from one desk to another or from one phone number to the next.
Hold your ground, patiently explain your situation as many times as necessary, and you will prevail. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Dining & Drinking: What's the difference between a menu and a menu? | Tip Rating: | | | | |
It is easy to confuse menu (in English) with menu (in French). They are two different words. What is referred to as a menu in English is called a "carte" in French. In French the menu is a prix fixe choice of set menu items for a specific price. (The one price is for all the items listed for that particular prix fixe menu.)
First, you ask for the Carte to get a list of food offerings. Next, when you read the carte, you will see one or more menus offered at one or more prices. Each "menu" is quite specific as to what you may order, e.g. a starter, a main course and a dessert. You may have a choice of several items in each section . . . or for a very inexpensive prix fixe menu, you may have no choice at all. You take what they give you. (Don't worry, it's usually great.)
When you order a menu, you simply call it by the price, e.g. I would like the 25 euro menu. If there are choices on that menu, the waiter will then ask what you want in each section. If it's a 25 euro menu, the cost is 25 euros for whatever is listed under that menu on your carte.
You will be charged for drinks unless they are listed as part of the menu. You may ask for a carafe of tap water and no one will think you odd. Ask for a "carafe d'eau." If you just ask for water, you may get mineral water and it's expensive.
You can also order "a la carte" or off the carte. Then you may choose anything you like. If you order several courses a la carte, it can be very expensive, often nearly twice as much as a menu. The prix fixe menu choices are a great bargain. In cheaper restaurants they are often the best tasting items on the menu because that is what the locals will order and the chef knows better than to provide poor food for his bread & butter clients.
The service charge is usually added to the bill . Check for the words "Service compris" or just "SC" to see if service is included. It is okay to round up the amount to the nearest euro. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Dining & Drinking: Absinthe | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Back in Montmartre’s cabaret heyday in the late 19th century, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his fellow gang of merry artists and writers spent many an evening swimming in a hallucinogenic sea of absinthe.
Also known as the 'Green Fairy' , absinthe was an anisette-based liqueur with a bit of poisonous herbs that didn’t just get people drunk, but also apparently turned them mad.
So absinthe was banned and the party ended.
A few years ago it re-emerged in a legal version that tastes the same (a bit like pastis, which was the original absinthe alternative), minus the poisonous bits.
Of course, the new versions have different names, such as 'Versinthe'.
You can purchase it in most liquor stores in France, although it’s still sort of a novelty so don’t expect to see it served in the corner café.
There’s a method to serving it that involves a water tank with a spout, a flat silver spoon with holes in it, and sugar cubes.
If you’re interested in an introduction to the whole tradition, stop into the Hotel Royal Fromentin (11 rue Fromentin, 9th; right around the corner from Pigalle), a former cabaret known as Le Don Juan with a lovely bar specializing in absinthe.
Try popping in after dinner when the night staff aren’t too busy and can give you the full presentation. (And guests at the hotel even get a little color booklet about the history of the beverage)...see website below for more info. Leave a Comment Website: www.hotelroyalfromentin.com
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| | | | Parlez vous francais?: The key sentence | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My French is horrible, but I've never been subjected to the alleged rudeness of Parisians.
I've found that there's a sentence that unlocks French friendliness:
"Excusez moi, j'ai un problem>."
When they say, "Oui?"
I say, "En Englais, s'il vous plait?"
They say, "Oui"
And we move forward in English.
I'm not even sure that the grammar (gender etc) is correct, but it's always worked.
In fact, I tested it once in Bon Marche. The first time I used the phrase, and the help was immediate and friendly.
The second time, I just said, "Bonjour" and then, "Je ne parle pas Francais..." and there was a distinct difference. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Stereotypes: Rude, or friendly?: innocent unless proven guilty | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I've been living in France for 10 years now. I'm English (from London) and married to a French (very French!) girl. I've been around the clock and would like to give a few survival tips to any foreigners coming to Paris.
1) as with law; innocent unless proven guilty, in Paris you're an arsehole unless proven otherwise. This might not help you, but it helps to be warned that it's rare to be welcomed with big smiles and open arms (like in most big cities come to think of it). I might just add that France has a long history of being invaded and occupied and so the French are wary of strangers, more than any other nation, and do not give away smiles for free. Speaking of which...
2) Smiles won't get you far (they'll think you want something from them). Respect will. The French have an inbred inferiority complex. Bow down to them, show them you NEED their help and that without their help you'd be dead, and you'll get what you want!
3) Parisians stare. Don't worry. They don't think it's rude. So don't worry.
4) Paris has an illegal immigration problem and has had some pretty bad (mostly non existent) integration schemes for ethnic minorities. Result is high crime rates and racism. Watch your bags etc in the metro. Common sense. If you are black, you may have trouble getting into night clubs etc. sad to say so, but you have to work around this... dress well, go with a white friend!
5) Superficial is not a word that the french know. Either they like the look of you or they don't. At least you know where you stand! It's quite a struggle to break the barrier. Say you hate George Bush and Tony Blair and you've got a friend for life, wherever you come from! speaking of which...
6) French talk about everything while they eat: politics, sex, personal problems. It's not considered impolite.
I could go on for ever but I have to go out now. Any Q's or comments... pop me a mail! Leave a Comment
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| | | | Dining & Drinking: 3-Hour Lunches | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Parisians take their food VERY SERIOUSLY! It's almost like a religion. Recently they pared down their work week from 40 hours to 35 and one of the reasons, I'm certain, is to enjoy those long lingering lunches with family & friends and to get home earlier so that they can linger over their dinners as well.
When dining in a nice bistro or brasserie, especially if it's a place with a fine reputation, expect to spend at least 1-1/2 hours to 3 hours for lunch and even longer for dinner. They want you to enjoy the food, to savor, have time to digest it, drink in the surroundings, engage in discussion with people at the next table. In fact, a great many restaurants are open for only several hours for lunch, they close, then open up again later for dinner!
People who rush through a meal are looked at rather askance! Why you haven't had a chance to even taste the food! It's practically an insult to rush through a meal.
If you want something quick yet Parisian, your best bet is to go to a café (although these are great places to linger over, too). You can stop in a café, order just an omelette, or quiche, or salade, crêpe, drink a quick cafê and be off to the next musée or jardin. For even quicker (and cheaper) service, stand at the comptoir (bar). It's quick, stand-up service.
I have fond memories of Le Vieux Bistro - I had a wonderful time there, spent almost 3 hours - I will definitely go back there!
Please click on the photo at left to view the full ménu!
Photo: April 2003 Leave a Comment
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More Paris Tips Overview
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Tips: 1,508 - Photos: 947 | Local Customs
Tips: 793 - Photos: 519 | Packing Lists
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