Going to Paris and other towns in France: What should tourists know?

Question

Social taboos, what to wear or not to wear (I heard you shouldn't wear shorts in churches or tanktop shirts at dinner), stuff that non-natives wouldn't know, etc.

Answer 1

French.

Answer 2

Since you didn't say where you are from I will assume you are an American.

Generally speaking the French are more formal than most North Americans.

In everyday speech this means appending "s'il vous plâit" to any request. It means saying "je voudrais" and not "donnez moi" when ordering from a menu. It means calling the waiter "Monsieur" and not "Garçon." It means greeting the staff at a shop with "Bonjour" (madam or monsieur as appropriate) before ordering something and saying goodbye when you leave.

The French tend to follow the older practice of not calling each other by first names or using the familiar without at least some acquaintance (although this is not so much true of young people).

The easy presumption of friendship or the discussing of personal matters with relative strangers that is common in America is sometimes seen as boorish or crude by the French.

Americans in particular who will talk about the intimate details of their love lives, the state of their personal finances, and the cost of everything they own with someone they met ten minutes ago are, for that reason, regarded as utterly outré.

On the other hand, Americans, who have been taught to never discuss politics or religion, sometimes think they are being singled out for abuse when the French express their opinions on such matters. They are not, of course. they are simply engaging in the second most popular French indoor sport (and the one that does not usually require a bed).

When in a cafe, which often seems the center of life in Paris, recall that Cafe au lait is only called that at breakfast. At other times it is "café crème " or "une crème." If ordering the a standard tiny cup of black coffee, sound like a native by calling for "un espress."

Asking for special preparation of food items is generally frowned on as is the practice of the "doggy bag."

By law, prices must be posted in the window of cafes. You will notice that there are usually at least two price levels. One is for service at the bar (le zinc) and the other for table service. It is cheating to buy a drink at the bar and then take a table to drink it at.

Butter is served with bread only at breakfast and with the cheese course.

When you pay for something the person taking your money expects you to put it down, rather than taking it directly from your hand. Most places have a sort of tray on the counter expressly for this purpose.

When you're in a theater and have to go by someone to get to your seat always pass in front of them facing toward them, that is, away from the screen or the stage. It's very rude otherwise. Ushers in theaters, including movie theaters, should be tipped when they show you to your seat. A small coin is enough.

Although there are fewer and fewer of them with each passing year there are still public toilet facilities that have attendants. They should also be tipped.

When traveling on public transportation you'll notice little fold down seats close to the doors. These can be used until the subway car fills up. If and when it does become crowded you should stand up to make more room. You'll also notice that there are some seats which are identified as being for wounded war veterans, pregnant women etc. You may sit there but should give up your seat if someone in these categories needs it.

If you keep you eyes open, watch what others do, and bear in mind that even in the simplest things there can be differences, you'll do fine.

Bonne chance!

Answer 3

say merci for thank you after everything

speak in the formal (vous, not tu)

attempt to speak the lang and dont assume they speak english, its very disrespectful

tip well

avoid the red light district in Paris

Answer 4

don't drink the water

double count your change

watch out for spitters...

I got sick from the water,  got short changed almost everytime, and people spit alot and do not watch where they are spilling.

This was especially true in Paris.  The closer we got to Spain  or Germany,  they better things were.

Answer 5

that they should see Paris....and then get the h**l out of there...Fench people are the rudest people in the world.

Italians are lovely.....go to Italy and Spain and greece ....you'll have much more fun there.

Answer 6

keep your money in a pocket not a purse, there are too many pick-pocket (some of them are even children)

Answer 7

Tipping - tip is included but leave a few coins as an extra tip.

Waiters will either bring your check right away or you will need to ask for it.  Don't just sit there waiting.....

Paris is a walking city.  Walk everywhere.  The metro is easy as well (and I don't speak French).

Obviously the dollar sucks so everything will be expensive.  Besides it being Paris...it's the euro.  Just go with it and spend the money on food and wine.  Don't bother with shopping unless you find something you absolutely can't find in the US.  However, most everything you can get there and here -- vice versa.

Have jambon & cheese on a baguette -- it is absolutely fabulous.

Answer 8

As always Rillifan has given a very good and complete answer.

The French are very formal and very polite - therefore someone who comes along and says "Hey give me one of those mate" will be generally met with a frosty cold response! The English equivalent of what would be more acceptable is "Hello Sir, I would like one of those please.... Thank you sir"

If your French isn't up to much then at least practice - si'l vous plaît and merci and address people as monsieur or madam.

If you accidental push someone or block their way say "pardon" and if you really thing you are messing up say "désolé" (day-so-lay) which means sorry. Most of all SMILE and show appreciation and you will be well treated.

French officials take their job very seriously and do not easily accept familiarity or a joke. If you try the "I'm superior" "I have contacts" or "in my country this would be outrageous" route you can expect to be left sitting in an empty corridor for a long time at the very least! Again just be very polite and a bit humble - you are on their patch after all.

France is a beautiful country - rich in history, culture and traditions that go back many hundreds of years. All they ask is that you respect this and you adapt to their way of doing things in their country.

It sounds like you appreciate this so I don't anticipate any problems for you!

Answer 9

The big meal of the day is lunch, and so (especially outside of Paris) some attractions shut down from about noon to 2pm. So find a restaurant and just enjoy the quiet time.

You are right about tank tops and shorts - don't wear them in a church or at dinner time. Generally, the French dress much better than North Americans, for example.

The French do smoke a lot so if you are allergic or don't like the smell, go to dinner early - dinner time is usually around 8pm for most French so you could get to a resto for 7pm or so and get out before it's very smoky.

Also, the French undercook their meat - red meat is often served "bleu" which means 'blue' which is basically cold in the middle - not just bleeding - but cold... If you want your meat well-cooked, learn the phrases for that, or else just order things that aren't red meat.

Breakfast does tend to be small - croissant and coffee, for example. And the French eat more chocolate than North Americans tend to.

As a tourist, you will stand out though - make no mistake about that. And the French are really kind - they are not s****. like the stereotype says. Learn a few French phrases (if you don't already have some) and try them out - it will go far.... Address everyone as "Monsieur" or "Madame" and be unfailingly polite at all times. It is a more formal culture as well.

Enjoy the trip!!!

Answer 10

Let me warn you against the worst mistake I made when I was in France as a tourist.

I ate outdoors at a small cafe in a historic rural town (St Germaine en Laye) and knew enough French from school to get by. When it came to dessert one of the choices was a cheese tray. The waiter brought it, left it on my table, and went back inside. I ate it all. When he came back there was not even a grape-seed-covered rind left on it. He was at a loss for words and just brought my check without saying any complaint. Later that night I realized that was not the proper way to deal with a tray of dessert.

Avoid getting any item for which you don't know the rules.

Answer 11

It may help to get one of those "tourists guide to France" or something from barnes and noble. They have an entire section on traveling and different countries.

I know it sounds corny, but it would not hurt to brush up on some info.

enjoy the trip. it will be amazing!!!