Making friends in Paris?

Question

I'm going to Paris and will like to make some friends there. Is it ok if I smile at people and perhaps strike up a conversation at places like a cafe or museum? This is considered friendly and normal to me here but I'm not sure how the French would react to that?

Answer 1

Also, watch out because smiling at strangers (men) and making eye contact essentially means "Come sleep with me."

Consider checking out English bookstores. There are often announcements for French people looking for English speakers and vice versa.

Answer 2

if ur looking for new friends france isnt the place to go. French people are rather unfriendly...but hey u might get lucky and meet a friendly person.

Answer 3

The French are very reserved and do not make friends of strangers easily, although they will often engage in lively but temporary conversation on trains, airplanes, etc.  It takes a long time to make friends in France, but they tend to be deeper friendships.  Smiling at strangers is considered bizarre and perhaps a bit suspect.  If you are nice to a French person whom you don't know, they will tend to think that you have ulterior motives.

If you are female, smiling at men or talking to them might be interpreted as sexual availability. France is a Latin country and the sexes associate mainly just for purposes of s*x, romance, and procreation. Developing a friendship with someone of the opposite s*x is extraordinarily difficult, and all the more so if the other person is a stranger.  If you are male, talking to a strange French woman will be interpreted as making a pass, irrespective of your real intentions (if any).

Answer 4

I am assuming you're American since you give no clue as to where you are from.

The French are not, as has been said above, "cold" although it would be fair to say that they can be more formal than Americans. Nor are they are prone to making instant friendships or exchanging information about their private lives to strangers.

The American habit of constantly smiling is regarded by the French as a sign of mental retardation or at least a degree of goofiness. The volume at which Americans speak is considered crass. So just be careful to dial it back a notch and you'll get a better reception from people.

Of course, in Paris, there is always a vast army of other tourists and you're quite likely to meet other Americans everywhere you go but I also assume that you are thinking in terms of making friends with locals.

If you have the time the best thing to do is do establish yourself as a regular at some convenient cafe or bar in whatever area you are staying. Look for a place with the least apparent number of other tourists.

You might also consider checking out a meeting of the least exclusive club in the world, the Metropole, which meets every thursday afternoon. The sole requirement is that you show up. Check out this website: http://www.metropoleparis.com/aclub.html

Another good way to meet some people is to have sunday dinner with raconteur, old hippy, professor and writer Jim Haynes. Check out his website: http://www.jim-haynes.com/index.htm His dinners are a great mix of locals and visitors (some quite famous ones).

And if you're looking for a really friendly place to hang out then try my favorite, Aux Trois Mailletz at 56 rue Galand in the 5th arrondissement. If you go there, say hello to the big dude who looks something like Lurch from the Addams family (his name is Eric) or the Chinese guy who manages the place (his name is Tony). If you see a guy with a shaved head wearing a derby and playing the piano that's Sylvan (the violin player with him is Arnaud). The Japanese girl singing opera is Mieko and the black dude with sunglasses who also plays piano is Teicho. Depending on when you're going to be in Paris you may also see a short Eurasian guy singing jazz...that will be me.

Answer 5

Maybe it ain't so easy in Paris (like in other French regions) since it's very touristy and people are loads involved in their work/businesses. But a big smile and friendlyness always helps...Bonne chance!

Answer 6

We are less open than americans, we don't really do that (even if there are exceptions) but you still can try. If you're a beautiful girl you will have no problem to find mens.

You can try to find people before to go, with internet and websites like myspace or facebook...it will be easier and you're sure to find people you will appreciate.

Answer 7

I don't think it's a good idea !

you know people here in france is very... COLD !!

they'll find it aggressive...

the best thing you should do, is to go in an association (sport, games, food religion whatever you like). in this context people is friendly, otherwise, you might find some friens, but don't bu surprised if you get rejected by the others..!!!!

you know paris is like every other big city... hard to meet people even for just being friens !

Answer 8

Not at all!!! people are  very nice. When you come to paris you can send me an email. i'd like to practice my english !!

Answer 9

Parisians are very "clique-y": once they have their group of friends, usually from high school or university, they rarely accept new-comers. Exceptions abound.

My tip: use the internet my dear - people who use social connection sites do so for a reason...

ex: Couchsurfing.com, even if you don't host anyone. They organise outings regularly, so it's an easy way to meet new people.

Answer 10

The best thing to do is meet and have fun with other tourists...If you go out onto the streets in Paris and try to start conversations with people, people will think your crazy and just ignore you...

Paris is not the best place to go to and make friends, it's a busy city...It's like New York in that respect...

But if you go to places like Museum's you are not likely to see a lot of French people, just other tourists...

If you want to make friends at the local "Bistro" or "Cafe" nearest to where you will be staying, it would be good to go their often and get to know the people slowly...

In Paris people have a lot of acquaintances but not a whole lot of friends, but when they do have friends, they have a very close friendships...

By the way, it's not bad to be someone that smiles...but if you start smiling at a lot of men, they will try and "Drague" you.....C'est la vie....