Bonjour la France! and other Paris, France Local Custom Tips

The French are VERY proud of their country, culture and language. :-) Be lavish with your Monsieurs, Madames, Mademoiselles (pronounced as 'Mey-moo-are-zels'), Merci Beaucoup.... and DO greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' (if it's after 6.00PM) and NOT - 'Yo, man! How ya doing?!' Not even Eminem can get away with this. ;-)

Some people also say French folks are snooty. I hate to say this - but I'd have to disagree with the critics on this statement. After spending some time in this city and after encountering a most unpleasant situation here, the French people's concern, hospitality and warmth have left an indelible impression on me.

Yes, contrary to popular beliefs, even the most flailing effort to speak halting French will be very much appreciated. Trust me!

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Some personal observations of these cool Parisians:

(1) Everyone in Paris really does the 'kiss-kiss' thing to greet each other. However, DON'T do it if you're a gentleman. Yes, men in Paris don't kiss each other. At least that's what I noticed. Anyway, my best friend and I were kissed more times in our week there compared to our entire life up to this point. haha.

(2) Oh...and NOBODY in Paris jogs. Try talking to a Parisian about the 'stairmaster' and they'd stare at you blankly. ;-)

(3) So, they stay thin with the help of nicotine and caffeine. For non smokers (like me), we DO need the 'Stairmaster'! :-(

(4) Nobody in Paris ever wear sweatpants. Horror of horrors - that would be too uncool for them! People here actually wear leather pants to the grocery store and it's probably the only city in the world where a young woman must wear a miniskirt in order NOT to be stared at. Do I look like I'm kidding?

(5) Condoms are called 'preservatifs' (hehe...) and are available from vending machines on the streets. Why don't these French people call condoms - condoms instead of PRESERVATIFS. Hm...

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(a) If you just so happen to be in the Marais area and, it's strictly veggie you crave, then you must absolutely check out Theatro Picalo. The dining area's small... but the menu is very interesting and the ambiance is oh-so-charming.

Hot Tip: Don't leave this place without trying their French apple crumble. Simply Ooh-la-la!

Address of this much revered veggie place:
6 rue des Ecouffes.

(b) Nobody goes to Paris for pizza. (Pur-leeease). However, if you're just too tired to leave your hotel room, then it's 'hotel delivery' to the rescue! Pick up the phone and call: Pizza Hut (05.30.30.30) and within 30 minutes you'll have your meal. Minimum? None. Delivery charge? None. Credit cards? No. Cash and in Euros only please. Will they deliver wine and beer? Yes! Yes! Yes!

(c) Batifol is a chain of local bistros that offers French food and pastries like your grandma used to make. ;-) Modest pricing with healthy portions and a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals. There are altogether 17 locations in Paris (I think... Excuse me if I've got my numbers wrong. I am after all a human being; not Miss Yellow Pages). My advice? Start with tea and some goodies at the Batifol in the mall off the Avenue des Champs Elysees. Chic (pronounced as 'sheek' and not chick). Should make for a delightful pause in your sightseeing sessions.

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(d) Fancy a coffee, newspaper and mingling with the chic Parisians? Then head to the world famous Café Flore (172 Bv. St. Germaine) or Deux Magots (170 Bv. St. Germaine) and...you WILL find a lot of singles (Parisians and foreigners) who don't mind chatting and getting to know you better. It's just like what you would see in the once-popular HBO TV series "Sex In The City" i.e. the kind of fabulous places the gals from SITC would hang-out. And don't worry... this is not some cheap pick-up joint. Many are habitués (regulars) but these two 'literary' (and very expensive) cafes attract tourists from all over the world.... from New York to Tokyo, Berlin to Singapore and Australia. :-)) Hey, some of them would even be thrilled to join forces with you to explore a bit of Paris or simply take a walk. My best friend and I have had some great moments at these cafés. Ah, c'est la vie...

So, go ahead and order a petit crème (that's - coffee with piping hot milk, baby).

(e) Sushi bars are another fun way to meet nice, cool and chic single diners. The current 'in' sushi hangout must surely be Lo Sushi (8, rue de Berri 75008). It has a revolving sushi bar where diners help themselves to the delectable sushi et sashimi that catches their fancy. I like it this way... The decor is better than the sushi, but amazingly this restaurant is a BIG hit with locals and foreigners alike.

Who recommended us this place?
A sales assistant from Chanel (the branch located along the Champs Elysees) highly recommended this joint to us. 100 brownie points to her.

(f) If you're interested to meet interesting people living in Paris, you should also consider popping into a wine bar (only the chic wine bars, pur-leeese!) where people have the same taste preferences or share a sense of sipping adventure. Food and wine in France tend to be the bond that binds like-minded people together!

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(g) And finally, chill out at a cybercafe in Paris. Wait. Not just any other cyber cafe. The latest 'in' spot is The Web Bar (32 rue de Picardie 75003 ). Head there if you want to surf the Net, check your email, meet cool dudes (French and foreigners). Do I look like I'm kidding you? Go, see and you'd know what I mean. Not only will you find computers here but also a full schedule of poetry reading nights... concerts....art exhibits.... ooh la la! You'd also probably notice 'Hm, who is that cute guy at the next terminal (er.. PC, I mean. Not the airport terminal, you twit!). This, my friend, presents the PERFECT opportunity for you to exchange e-mail addresses! I said - EMAIL addresses. So, don't go having any other wild thoughts, guys! Our favorite joint (without our boyfriends and husbands). Shhh!

(h) O.K., this is the absolutely final-final tip for the day: Shakespeare and Company (37, rue de la Bucherie) is one place you shouldn't miss. It is located just down by the River Seine. You can find used books, a really kewl atmosphere bursting with mind-expanding 'reads.' A perfect hang-out for geeks.... er, I mean... chic folks like us.

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OK, OK, this is definitely going to be my final-final-final tips. Learn them well, memorize them and your French waiter might even think he's serving a local. Mais je rêve? Try it.

(1) At the dinner table, hands are placed on the table when you are NOT eating.

(2) Bread should be broken, not cut. It is placed on the table, not the plate.

(3) Place your knife and fork side by side across your plate when the meal is over.

(4) Mineral water is frequently served at a meal.

(5) Cheese is served at the end of the meal. Put the cheese on your plate and not directly onto the bread.

(6) To request for the bill, make a writing gesture in the air. And not hiss or whistle.

(Source: Europe for Women in Business; Author Tracey Wilen)

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