Do not read this if you are easily offended.
I am being honest, but not trying to be mean.
No country and its citizens are perfect, and these are just MY observations, so you are TOTALLY allowed to disagree, but keep it civil please.
1. General shopping
A lot of shops are closed, part due to the recession and another part due to the fact that it’s July heading into August, and a lot of Parisiens are also on vacation, and therefore not working.
As for the attitudes of Parisiens being rude, I haven’t encountered that yet.
Cashiers are very friendly on the whole, albeit more reactive than proactive.
Sure, it took us 10 minutes to check out of a store because they couldn’t find a price on the tag and they couldn’t (didn’t want to?) cancel the transaction on the till and allow other waiting customers to be checked out…… but I am totally used to all of that. I’ve been living with that attitude for about 2 years in Montreal.
No biggie.
But they are a LOT friendlier and more polite here than previously imagined, and especially in comparison to Montreal (not as a dig on Montrealers, but I do notice the difference in attitude and general demeanor).
They may not LOVE their jobs, but they do them well and with civility.
Here it is a formal: Hello, Thank You and Goodbye, along with other questions like: Would you like a bag to carry that? How about I give you this last extra piece of bacon for free bcause we cannot sell it just like that? Would you like anything else? Is this how you want that item cut? Or how about diced, it might be easier to eat?
Let’s just say I have never experienced the gift of free bacon in Montreal, and the formal Hello, Thank you, and Goodbyes are a hit and miss depending on where you go.
2. General business sense doesn’t seem to exist
I mean that in the nicest way possible even if it doesn’t seem like it.
In North America, money is to be made at every turn: if you check out late in a hotel, you may incur extra penalties and charges.
If you show up late to a buffet breakfast, you may not get any food.
Basically, places won’t let you skate by if you don’t follow their rules.
Not so, here… at least in my experience.
We left 4 hours late from our hotel room, and didn’t get a single blink of the eye.
We also showed up 2 hours late for the food, and it turns out that everyone else was late too, so we ended up being early.
We didn’t incur any extra charges on anything, and when we are in shops, we get what we paid for, and sometimes a bit more (see bacon example above).
Here, it is more laissez-faire and less by the book, which also accounts for the fact that cashiers are not proactive, although very nice.
3. French are more akin to Americans than they’d like to imagine
For one thing, they love their country. Like LOVE their country.
Every Parisien(ne) I encountered said: Tell me this isn’t the most beautiful city in the world!!
Me: Er.. well I can’t say that yet, I’ve only just gotten off the plane an hour ago. 🙂
It is a neverending lovefest with how gorgeous their City of Light is (to which I’d like to point out that the stereotypes about French NOT picking up their dog’s poop and letting it linger on the sidewalks is very true and well founded).
It may be beautiful but it isn’t clean, although I hear London is worse.
For another thing, they only speak French for the most part.
Not a dig on the French, but I found it a bit funny that French tease Americans for not speaking another language, when in fact, THEY don’t speak another language either!
They do try, a lot of them, to speak to me in English, but it is mostly only those Parisiens who are not really French-born-and-bred Parisiens, and who already speak another language other than French.
For those tried and true French Parisiens, it is only French and no other language that matters… which is a very true-bred American or Canadian-esque attitude to me.
Still, it’s a good thing I speak French or else I’d be isolated language-wise.
They will give it a good & kind try but it is a limited effort because the vocabulary is missing for them.
The French eat a lot like Americans
They may not want to admit it, but I sure saw a hell of a lot of frozen food and premade dinners here. Of course, the raw quality may be higher, and they may cook more with raw ingredients than Americans do on the whole, but they DO eat a lot of frozen foods, chips, and drink pop.
I also see places like McDonald’s packed with people, and other French bistros and restaurants with 20% capacity.
(It might be a money thing.)
They also love their baguettes and petit batards here. Everyone we saw seemed to have one tucked under their arm on the way home.
4. BF would like to point out that it isn’t as great as before
He is talking from a foodie perspective. He says the selection and quality of the yoghurt has diminished, and the prices of food are kind of crazy.
4 EUR for a small bag of potatoes? Are you kidding me?
He said it was much better before the recession, and that you can see that people simply don’t have the money to purchase food in the same quality and range as before.
That being said, the food here is still AWESOME.
The most banal of items — eggs and milk — are fabulous here. They are above and beyond the quality of the best items I can buy in Canada, and I am going to miss the food. A lot.
I can’t wait to get my paws on a basket of strawberries.
5. And the fashion?
The fashion here is nothing to be worried about.
Pshaw! to everyone who worries about what to wear in Paris.
Sure, they do tend to wear heels, but many are simply in ballet flats. They are nothing as pictured on The Sartorialist, and are very NORMAL fashion-wise.
They do NOT do bright colours (like seriously, teal, purple and pink makes me stand out like a sore thumb), they stick to neutrals (beige, whites, tans, blacks), and they LOVE THEIR STRIPES.
Everyone wears stripes here (thin stripes), it is like the Parisien uniform on men and women.
The men here are well dressed. Moreso than anywhere I’ve been to in North America. Most guys are in a suit, with or without a tie, and they are not slobbish for the most part, unless they are general labourers.
Not to sound racist (okay I will, no matter what I say), but none of the construction, cleaning or labourer jobs seem to be done by the French or even “the whites”. It’s only the immigrants or minorities, it seems. :\
I will need more time to take a look around and see if my initial thoughts are true.
If you are worried about dressing in Paris, don’t be.
So long as you don’t normally dress like a skanky ho in Day-Glo Jersey Shore clothing, you should be fine here.
Easy on the makeup too; many French women DO NOT dye their hair (how refreshing to see greys), and they DO NOT wear a lot of makeup (concealer, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick and a touch of blush, if any makeup or at all).
Less is more.
I also saw a couple of fashion faux pas’ such as a grown woman wearing a white, skintight pair of leggings that said: HELLO KITTY with the poor cat’s face on her butt…. but that is to be expected in a city of this size.
One last note: Chain Smoking & Biking? Yes.
But I am used to it. It is the same as in Montreal — everyone and their dog smokes and bikes here.
I didn’t even notice it as being significant, until I realized that I wasn’t surprised by it.
We also noticed a lot of motorcycles, and we think it’s because..
A) you can park anywhere you want without paying, unlike a car
B) it is cheaper than a car
C) it is faster than a bicycle and probably a lot sexier
D) Everything here is VERY tiny, so bikes are the best option.
No Hummers, massive SUVs or huge trucks here, I can tell you that. Everything is the size of a Smart-car, and so are the roads.
I saw ONE SUV and I was surprised at how large it was compared to the other little cars beeping on the road.
Je suis parisien de naissance, vos impressions sont nuancées et justes, vous avez le sens de l’observation, juste une remarque: le travailleur français est le plus productif du monde donc il a de moins en moins de temps pour aimer son travail qui est de plus en plus mal payé. Oui la plupart des cafés sont honteusement chers, mais il existe encore des bistrots pas chers, mais il faut s’éloigner des sites touristiques. A voir à Paris, Notre Dame, Montmartre, la cité universitaire, le quartier du marais, le centre Georges Pompidou (Beaubourg), la cité des sciences et des techniques, la cité de la musique, le 104 qui est un centre réservé aux manifestations artistiques. J’oubliais le muséum d’histoire naturel et les nombreux jardins petits et grands de Paris (j’en oublie). Il existe un Paris caché avec des jardinets, des artisans, des lofts aménagés dans d’anciens entrepôts. Se balader dans le vieux Paris est mon plus grand plaisir comme Steve Jobs, le centre historique vous fera découvrir des merveilles architecturales dans de petites ruelles.
Si vous voulez connaître l’esprit français il y a cette histoire, Sony avait racheté une usine en Alsace à laquelle ils ont voulu appliquer des méthodes de gestion (à l’américaine?) verticales, la productivité a baissé, les salariés se sentant dépossédés de leurs responsabilités, mais les managers japonais ont été assez intelligents pour revenir en arrière en comptant sur l’implication du personnel qui en france aime se prendre en charge et fonctionner horizontalement, le résultat en a été que cette usine est devenue la plus productive du groupe.
Seulement ce cas est une exception, les cadres qui sortent des écoles de commerce sont convaincus du contraire et au final le français, dépossédé de la maîtrise de son destin politique (europe), traité avec peu de considération dans son entreprise et de plus en plus mal payé, quand lui-même ou quelqu’un de son entourage n’est pas au chômage, fait la tête quand il voit arriver un citoyen du pays qui met à mal ses valeurs de travail, de culture et tend à imposer ses règles économiques et politiques au reste du monde grâce à sa puissance financière et militaire qu’il conserve en nous faisant payer ses dettes par la sous évaluation de sa monnaie.
L’argent ici, est important mais ne fait pas tout, ce n’est en tout cas pas lui qui vous apporte de la considération. Nous sommes quand même capables d’accueillir à bras ouvert des gens s’ils se présentent comme des personnes avec leur gentillesse et leurs particularismes culturels quand ils se montrent éveillés et disponibles, comme vous, à tenter de comprendre l’étranger que nous sommes à leur égard.
Quand au relent de notre passé colonial, je vous renvoie à votre propre histoire et à vos ghettos et votre propre racisme comme peuple aux fins d’introspection, sachant que le politiquement correct, l’indignation, n’ont jamais rien changé aux préjugés pour vous faire comprendre que personne n’est blanc en réalité dans cette histoire.
Waou! Merci beaucoup pour votre commentaire. Je suis d’accord parce-que j’ai ecrire ce post apres un visite bref et je ne suis pas Parisienne 😉
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I went to Paris in 2007 and 2009 and loved it both times. The first time that I went we stayed in a tourist area so everyone in stores and restaurants spoke English. The second time I went we stayed in a residential area. It was a lot harder to find people who spoke English. I am not fluent in French, but was able to get by. I would definitely go back.
I love this post. I love how you are honest. I didn't think anything came out negative. But I hate those posts where people loveeeee and adore these cities. I mean I guess it could be true, but when the entire post is about how perfect the place is, I'm skeptical.
The whole general business not existing, I completely agree with (although I haven't experienced it first hand). When I watch shows that showcase Europe, I get this good feeling like they seem to live life according to themselves and not their career. I imagine myself thinking I would love that life. I would love to live there. But then soon after, I get this weird feeling of it's way too laid back. I need some hustle & bustle. It's a weird see-saw with me.
I am the same way. I am totally all about being relaxed and enjoying life… but it does get frustrating when everyone takes it just a step too far.
I can be relaxed and chill for 3 months max, but the rest of the time — if I am working, I am WORKING. Not chilling.
I cannot say that I love Paris, although the mites biting the hell out of me right now may have something to do with that… I think in general it is a beautiful city to visit as a tourist for perhaps a week, but after that, you may not love it as much.
The sheen is wearing off for me.
I would definitely agree – food quality is so much better! But you are correct – prices are SIGNIFICANTLY higher all over Europe, it isn't just Paris or France. Where I live (a bitty town in Western Germany), if you want fresh produce, it is best to try & hit the farmers market – even if I have to drive to Luxembourg (about an hour away). Thankfully, fresh bread – is still average (at least for Germany) in price.
When we drive to Paris (or any other European city), we park our car & take public transport or walk everywhere – it is much less scary than trying to navigate a road that is only 4 inches wider than your car or drivers who have never heard of turn signals!
I'm jealous though – any bakery foods in Paris, especially Macaroons – Yum! (I can definitely see Paris calling me for a long weekend soon!)
I hope that you both have a wonderful time!
It sounds like a fun time – enjoy yourself!
Some day, I'd like to go to Paris!
Does it look fabulous at night?
The Eiffel tower is GORGEOUS at night, or if you see the landscape of Paris. Other than that, kind of scary in the corner alley ways 🙂
That’s nice that they are friendlier and polite than most people make them out to be. And if you are visiting Singapore, the ‘lowly’ jobs are done by migrants as well. And can’t wait to read more about your travels 🙂
I will definitely try and compose my thoughts into more coherent posts and with pictures to boot 🙂
Agree re Paris being dirty; hubby was horrified about how bad it was…far too much dog dirt, apart from that though the city is beautiful 😉
I think certain areas of the city is just breathtaking. The rest, all looks the same to me… at least now, anyway.
I liked your post, as an American I don't hate the French. I think there are xenophobic people all over the world and friendly people all over the world. Patriotism exists everywhere. I went to NYC in the early 2000s and people said they would be rude, but most of them were so friendly. NYC was a nice visit except for the population aspect of it. I'm glad to hear you had a nice visit in France, I hope to go there someday, hehe. =)
viva le france, or whatever they say, I'm too lazy to google it. I do like being American, but I also like learning about different cultures, honestly I don't think we're that different from each other. Everyone is taught to love their country, can't say that I blame them. I think things like the world cup do bring nationalities together and I think its great.
I don’t think that all Americans hate the French and vice versa.. but I do notice a prejudice in books, movies and music.. 😛