| Travel tips and advice posted by real travelers and Paris locals. • 11 Photos
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 | Paris Rules of Engagement Reviews | 1 - 10 of 10 |  |
 Even the French dogs have
polite table etiquette!! by Lady_Mystique
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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 Roller Bladers by BeatChick
And apparently, they do the same thing on Sundays during the day. It's supposed to be a more leisurely roll with families out roller blading & pushing babies & young children in strollers. I had walked past Nôtre Dame, turned right and saw a whole SLEW of rollerbladers. I’d seen the Friday night rollerbladers but wasn’t sure if this was the same so I asked some English ladies and they said they didn't know. We saw some people pushing kids in prams in that crowd and we decided we probably would never do that – might put the children in danger. Then one of the ladies laughed and said she wouldn't put herself in danger, *period!*, by rollerblading. It was quite an amazing site!
Also, if you're going to do the Friday night rollerblading you need to understand that you must be a very good rollerblader; if you fall behind the police will put you out of the group. But the Sunday rollerbladers are a lot more relaxed so if you're a fairly decent rollerblader than this would be the event for you. Leave a Comment
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 by shrimp56
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This is a cute little shop on rue Saints-Peres, just around the corner from Hotel du Danube on rue Jacob. The little flower pots in the tiny watering can were pricey -- 12 euros. But they are very chic. I brought them several times and my hosts seemed pleased. Leave a Comment
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 Street in Latin Quarter by shutterlust
When entering a shop or even a cafe, please say "Bonjour" upon entrance. They consider shops to be like the owner's own home. It's polite to say hello when entering and upon leaving, please say "Merci" and "Au Revoir!" You wouldn't want someone barging into your home without at least acknowledging you, would you?? Leave a Comment
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Be sure to greet your Host/Hostess with a Bon Jour whenever you enter their establishment. It's considered terribly rude if you do not. Leave a Comment
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Anytime you enter an establishment, whether it be a restaurant or retail store it is customary to say "Bon Jour". It doesn't have to be loud but try to make eye contact as you say it. Also, upon leaving the establishment, you would say "Merci, Au Revoir".
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Always greet by saying Bonjour and au revoir (hello and goodbye) when entering a store. Do not smile at everyone (strangers) for no reason in the streets. Leave a Comment
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As a Canadian, I am used to a certain amount of effort and courtesy on behalf of customer service related people. I had to push away my "polite" manner to get answers and acknowledged. Firm questions-to the point.
For ex. "How much to the top of the Eiffel Tower"? not...."Excuse me, I was wondering if you could tell me the difference in price between going to the top vs. only to the 1st platform"
Parisiens will sense your weakness...treat them like crap (within reason) before they do it to you. :)
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Sorbonne student gatherings take place by marching on the streets leading from the University buildings to the Place Edmond-Rostand outside the Luxembourg Gardens or to the Place de la Sorbonne via the Blvd. St.-Michel. (See our Tip of Things to Do under Sorbonne, 2/07). These are make-shift "campus locations". Leave a Comment
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“The monarchy had its idlers, the republic had its loafers.”
— An 1848 remark by Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
Remember that wherever you travel, especially when you travel for leisure, your enjoyment of the time you are not working depends upon those who are working.
In some European countries, France and Italy leap to mind, when the locals are not working, if only for a day as they strike, airing some grievance, hoping to set it right, how very quickly your enjoyment is diminished.
Be kind to those who are working, helping to make your vacation enjoyable. Leave a Comment
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