I decided to continue the next two days with the theme of practical Paris tips.Today is an informative excerpt from Practical Paris, Everything You Need to Know About Paris but Didn't Know to Ask by Karen Henrich, available on Amazon kindle.
MYTH #1: Paris is really, really expensive.
Explanation: In any city of the world, the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can pay for things. Compared to most other major tourist destinations in the world, in fact it is very possible to get by quite cheaply in Paris. Admission costs for museums and attractions are extremely reasonable, public transportation is a downright bargain and many restaurants feature attractively priced set menus. The main staples of life in Paris are plentiful and cheap: baguettes, wine, cheese, fruit and patisserie desserts. Where expenses can add up is having lots of drinks in cafés and bars. But since the café culture is one of the great pleasures of being in Paris, our advice is to once in awhile pay the price, sit back and watch the world go by.
MYTH #2: Paris is not safe.
Explanation: In general, European cities are safer than North American ones, since guns, gangs, personal property/bank robberies and drugs in Central Paris are not as common. The most common hazard in Paris, particularly for tourists, is pick-pockets, who mainly operate in highly populated tourist areas. Parisian pick-pocketers are very skilled and usually you would never even know if you were ripped off until much later. They search for easy opportunities to snatch a purse, wallet or cell phone. Simply don't provide these opportunities or make it easy to be a target, and you will be fine.
MYTH #3: You can’t wear jeans in Paris.
Explanation: We’re puzzled by where this myth originates, possibly because Paris is considered the fashion capital of the world. In fact, jeans are worn everywhere in Paris, by everyone, even Galeries Lafayette sales staff! While there are frequent sightings of funky and high fashion, Paris on the whole, is a casual city. However, Parisians are usually never sloppy and look put together no matter what they wear. Parisians are not known for wearing exercise-type wear out on the street, baggy, floppy shorts or short shorts, unless the latter are worn as a fashion item. These clothing choices will flag you as a tourist, especially if non-stylish, exercise-type white running shoes are worn with them.
MYTH #4: It is unsafe to take the metro, especially at night.
Explanation: The Paris metro system is filled with tourists and Parisians at all hours of the day and night and is considered safe. Likewise with buses and night buses. Something to be aware of: some people try to bypass buying a metro ticket so may squeeze up against you and come through the turnstile with you. Don’t be alarmed, they are not trying to rob you. Usually people will ask you if you mind if they do it. But unless you speak French, you will likely not know what they are asking!
MYTH #5: Parisians are unfriendly and rude.
Explanation: Yes, you can certainly encounter rudeness by Parisians but it has been our experience that generally people are kind, helpful and friendly. Upon first meeting, Parisians can appear to be less casual and more reserved by North American standards, however, this does not translate to unfriendliness. Be aware that often what you put out is what you get back, so if Parisians are approached in the right way from the beginning, chances of a more pleasant interaction increase. An attempt to speak the language goes a long way with Parisians. Always begin a conversation with ‘bonjour’, especially when entering a store. Asking immediately, ‘do you speak English?’ riles many Parisians and will start you off on the wrong foot. Think about it, if foreigners are constantly asking if you speak their language in a country where English is the official language, then how would that make you feel? Use your best school French and have fun with it; Parisians love to correct and help people with their admittedly difficult language!
MYTH #6: Paris operates the same as most other modern cities catering to large numbers of foreigners and tourists.
Explanation: Yes and no. On one hand, generally service is competent, however, there are often long lineups and service can be slow to downright not good. Keep in mind that Parisians still pay for groceries, pharmacy and restaurant tabs with personal checks. The bottom line: Parisians are more concerned with lifestyle than with the pursuit of commerce. Let that be your guide. Relax, have fun with this cultural difference and enjoy the less stressful pace of life.
MYTH #7: The food is weird/bad.
Explanation: As is the case everywhere in the world, you can get weird, strange or bad food in Paris. Generally speaking though, the food, ingredients, cooking techniques and presentation are of a much higher caliber in France, considered the culinary capital of the world. 'Bad food' can translate to 'you ordered the wrong thing' and probably a dish that the North American palette is not used to such as tripe, for example. Establishments almost exclusively catering to large tourist groups may not be your best dining bets. Observe the plates of patrons at cafés/restaurants and ask them what the food is like. Portions can often be surprisingly large. Generally, the French have more than one course, eat slower and the food is of much better quality (farm-grown, less chemicals and preservatives etc.). Eating and drinking in Paris is a divine culinary experience.
MYTH #8: Paris is just like it is back home.
Explanation: It’s not, and why should it be? For some reason, visitors to Paris are particularly intolerant about differences such as laissez-faire service, less than pristine, modern washrooms, and the fact that another language is spoken (in other words, not their language). When people visit any other country, they expect and accept that differences exist, but for some reason, perhaps due to its leading reputation in so many areas, these things are less tolerated in Paris. You are on another continent, in another country, where another language is spoken and where the culture and customs are different. Period.
Click here to order Practical Paris ($2.99 for Kindle version)
Karen Henrich is the publisher of TapBook Publishing and compiled her Amazon top selling guidebook, Practical Paris largely in Parisian cafés, in the very same establishments formerly frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and other illustrious writers past. See TapBooks titles by visiting Amazon.com and typing 'tapbooks' in the search bar.
In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!
Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
a lot of the above is rubbish , especially the squeezing against as to not buy a ticket, thats how they pickpocket you. the second is fashion capital of the world, thats a laugh they are totally old fashioned as regards wat they wear, look dowdy to be honest.you need to know the reality of a city thats been more or less given over to thugs and if you dont believe that try a walk along the river at night.
Posted by: Maria Lucia Calo | May 14, 2012 at 05:23 PM
Thanks, I will definitely tweet this :-)
Posted by: Allison | May 20, 2012 at 10:35 PM