Audrey Hepburn says in Sabrina, “Paris is always a good idea.” Most would agree… except those whose Parisian dream turned into a huge letdown.
When Lena, the heroine of my novel What If It’s Love? (Bistro La Bohème, book 2) arrives in Paris, she’s thrilled, even though she has been to the City of Light before. But this time is different. Lena plans to settle in for at least a couple of months, maybe a year, and experience Paris as a local.
You'd be surprised how doable that is. All you need to do is follow three ground rules that form an open sesame to the hearts of Parisians.
When Lena, the heroine of my novel What If It’s Love? (Bistro La Bohème, book 2) arrives in Paris, she’s thrilled, even though she has been to the City of Light before. But this time is different. Lena plans to settle in for at least a couple of months, maybe a year, and experience Paris as a local.
You'd be surprised how doable that is. All you need to do is follow three ground rules that form an open sesame to the hearts of Parisians.
Ground Rule # 1: Appearances matter in Paris. A lot. So, make sure yours doesn’t scream, “I’m a foreign dork. Despise me!”
In other words, avoid looking like a dowdy schoolmarm or a tramp. Instead:
a. Wear elegant clothes, shoes, and accessories.
They don’t have to be expensive. You’re telling Parisians about your good taste, not the size of your pocketbook.
So go ahead and ditch that fanny pack and those hideous Velcro sandals… unless you’re into men who pair shorts with long socks and the aforementioned Velcro sandals.
b. Don’t show too much skin.
Parisian women dress coquettishly but conservatively. When they show off their tanned legs, they cover the cleavage; when they don a strapless top, they pair it with pants or a long skirt.
If you go out wearing a micro-skirt / crop top combo, you’ll attract attention, all right.
But you’ll repel the kind of Frenchman who’d want to show you sights other than his bedroom.
a. Wear elegant clothes, shoes, and accessories.
They don’t have to be expensive. You’re telling Parisians about your good taste, not the size of your pocketbook.
So go ahead and ditch that fanny pack and those hideous Velcro sandals… unless you’re into men who pair shorts with long socks and the aforementioned Velcro sandals.
b. Don’t show too much skin.
Parisian women dress coquettishly but conservatively. When they show off their tanned legs, they cover the cleavage; when they don a strapless top, they pair it with pants or a long skirt.
If you go out wearing a micro-skirt / crop top combo, you’ll attract attention, all right.
But you’ll repel the kind of Frenchman who’d want to show you sights other than his bedroom.
Ground Rule # 2: Show respect to waiters and shopkeepers
In shops, say bonjour to the shopkeeper before conducting your business. If you skip the greeting, he or she will find a way to punish you. It may be a small way, such as making you wait, but it can also be something nastier. A shopkeeper who decides you’re an arrogant bitch won’t hesitate to foist a stale croissant on you.
In cafés and restaurants, NEVER snap your fingers and shout “Garçon!” to attract the attention of a waiter. Doing so might have been OK in Maupassant’s day, but it’s a definite no-no today.
Remember: an aggravated waiter can do some depraved things to your drink and food. That is, if he ever deigns to take your order.
It’s safe to call servers Monsieur or Madame. A "s’il vous plaît" and a raised hand work too.
In cafés and restaurants, NEVER snap your fingers and shout “Garçon!” to attract the attention of a waiter. Doing so might have been OK in Maupassant’s day, but it’s a definite no-no today.
Remember: an aggravated waiter can do some depraved things to your drink and food. That is, if he ever deigns to take your order.
It’s safe to call servers Monsieur or Madame. A "s’il vous plaît" and a raised hand work too.
Ground Rule # 3: Communicate with tact and patience
Don’t expect the locals to strike up a conversation with you in a bar, bakery line or the métro… unless you’re wearing a micro-skirt and a crop top.
In which case, please refer to # 1.b above.
Don’t smile at random passersby. They’ll think you’re crazy. Do smile at people you’ve seen more than once in your neighborhood. Do say bonjour to someone you run into regularly in your local café or convenience store. If the person greets you back, try commenting on the weather or cracking a joke.
Provided you don’t look like a foreign dork (see # 1.a above), you may get a friendly reply or a chuckle, which may lead to a chat, a helpful tip or an invitation to a Neighbors’ Fête.
In which case, please refer to # 1.b above.
Don’t smile at random passersby. They’ll think you’re crazy. Do smile at people you’ve seen more than once in your neighborhood. Do say bonjour to someone you run into regularly in your local café or convenience store. If the person greets you back, try commenting on the weather or cracking a joke.
Provided you don’t look like a foreign dork (see # 1.a above), you may get a friendly reply or a chuckle, which may lead to a chat, a helpful tip or an invitation to a Neighbors’ Fête.
That’s it. Follow these three ground rules, and Paris will open its arms to you.
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