I've been living in France for 10 years now. I'm English (from London) and married to a French (very French!) girl. I've been around the clock and would like to give a few survival tips to any foreigners coming to Paris.
1) as with law; innocent unless proven guilty, in Paris you're an arsehole unless proven otherwise. This might not help you, but it helps to be warned that it's rare to be welcomed with big smiles and open arms (like in most big cities come to think of it). I might just add that France has a long history of being invaded and occupied and so the French are wary of strangers, more than any other nation, and do not give away smiles for free. Speaking of which...
2) Smiles won't get you far (they'll think you want something from them). Respect will. The French have an inbred inferiority complex. Bow down to them, show them you NEED their help and that without their help you'd be dead, and you'll get what you want!
3) Parisians stare. Don't worry. They don't think it's rude. So don't worry.
4) Paris has an illegal immigration problem and has had some pretty bad (mostly non existent) integration schemes for ethnic minorities. Result is high crime rates and racism. Watch your bags etc in the metro. Common sense. If you are black, you may have trouble getting into night clubs etc. sad to say so, but you have to work around this... dress well, go with a white friend!
5) Superficial is not a word that the french know. Either they like the look of you or they don't. At least you know where you stand! It's quite a struggle to break the barrier. Say you hate George Bush and Tony Blair and you've got a friend for life, wherever you come from! speaking of which...
6) French talk about everything while they eat: politics, sex, personal problems. It's not considered impolite.
I could go on for ever but I have to go out now. Any Q's or comments... pop me a mail!
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on Jun 12, 2004
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