Parisian yoga studio "Made in New York" with classes in French and English for all levels
and all ages 7/7.
Special 1st time offer: 35€ for 10 day unlimited pass with mat rental included!
For schedule and more information: 
There seems to be a pattern expats have when they move to Paris and I suspect it’s the same for expats around the world. They tend to go at least once a year to their former U.S. hometowns, usually for the holidays or in summer but after about 5 years, the visits dissipate and expats go every other year or even wait five years.
I used to go back to NYC at least twice a year but now just once a year since 2007.
Each time I return to the U.S. I have to remember certain social practices are different than here.
One of the adjustments I have to make. is tipping in restaurants. In Paris, it’s fairly easy, the tip or what they call service charge is included in the check and depending on whether I have some change in my pocket, I leave a one or two euro coins on the table as a courtesy. If I don’t have any change and don’t leave anything, it’s perfectly fine, the waitperson usually says merci or bon journee, and doesn’t scowl or call me a cheapskate under his/her breath.
One other thing I have to remember in restaurants in the U.S. is that the sales tax is not included, where as in France the VAT is included in the final bill. So if I get a check for 20€, I plop down a 20€ bill, a coin or two, and I am done.
In NYC sales tax in restaurants in restaurants is just about 9%, so with a 20% tip, which is the norm now, it’s almost a whopping extra 30% of the bill. I was in a restaurant where the main course of pasta that I ordered was $15, which I thought wasn’t too bad, but then realized with tax and tip it was now going to be $19.50, ouch!
The other thing is not that long ago, a 15% tip was the norm, and 20% was if you had great service. Not anymore. In fact on the bottom of the check or on the credit card machines, the suggested gratuity box is either 18 or 20%, so if you want to leave 15%, you have to calculate it yourself.
I also noticed that no matter what food service place I went to whether is was a regular restaurant, take out place, food delivery, or coffee bar, when you ask for your bill, a tip option automatically comes up on the screen, asking for 18or 20%. I’ve always had a thing about not tipping in takeout places. Correct me if I am wrong, but takeout staff people are paid a higher wage than waiters because waiters are primarily dependent on tips. For example, I was at a casual vegetarian restaurant in Brooklyn having lunch. I ordered at the counter, sat down at an available table, and when my name was called, I picked up my food and brought it to my table. After I was done I bussed by own tray, emptied my excess food in the trash, and put my plate and silverware in the proper receptacles. When I was paying with my debit card, again the 18 & 20% tip boxes flashed on the screen. Besides someone putting my order in by pressing three or four buttons on the computer screen, there was no other service. Why should I leave a tip? I am happy to leave a tip if someone waited on me, but this wasn’t the case. This, I declare is tip shaming. An extreme case of tip shaming was when I was at the theater. I was with a relative and she asked for a bottle of water at the snack bar, which by the way was a shocking $5 for the lowest brand of bottled water, and she charged it and added $1 tip. A tip for someone who handed you a bottle?
I have no problem tipping for certain services when it is expected. I tip taxi drivers, wait staff, doormen, etc. but I don’t believe I have to tip order takers, that’s not a service.
In recent years there has been a move in some U.S. restaurants to discontinue tipping by figuring it into the cost of the food. For instance, New York restauranteur Danny Meyer, who owns upscale restaurants such as Union Square Grill, Gramercy Tavern, and Eleven Madison Park, eliminated tipping in his restaurants in 2015. I think this is an excellent idea.
What’s your take on the tipping situation? Would love to have your feedback.
August in Paris- My Marais Apartment for Rent August 16 to August 29
I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area.
Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks.
Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator
Please email me at r.nahem@gmail.com if you are interested.
If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Paris video about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.
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