Adrian Leeds Group, LLC

Know Before You Go
By Adrian Leeds

You'll be a happier traveler if you know a few things about Paris and France before you step off onto its soil.

In fact, we at Parler Paris, require that you read this before you embark on any of our tours, conferences or workshops in Paris or France.

Why? Because we want to fulfill your expectations and we don't want you to have any disapointments. At least, as few as possible.

If you've traveled to France before, then you already know that France is very different than the United States. The language is different, the culture is different, the people are different.

It is these differences that make traveling to France, or traveling anywhere for that matter, very exciting. Every moment can be a new adventure when you travel to a foreign place, as long as you're open to exploring the differences.

LET'S START WITH THE LANGUAGE -- FRENCH.

Many French now speak English, at least some, but don't expect them to speak to you in English when French is their native language. Remember, they may not get a lot of practice and feel awkward speaking English. So, it's not that they don't want to -- they just don't feel comfortable. Luckily, you don't need a lot of French to maneuver well, and there are a few key phrases that will endear you to anyone you meet. Start practicing:

ALWAYS say BONJOUR MADAME or BONJOUR MONSIEUR upon entering ANY establishment -- a restaurant, a cafe, a shop. Say Bonjour to a salesperson before you ask any question. Say Bonjour to the taxi driver and the bus driver. You simply can't say it often enough.

ALWAYS say S'IL VOUS PLAIT before you ask anything at all! When ordering even a cup of coffee in a cafe, say s'il vous plait, may I have a coffee? Say it before and say it after. You simply can't say it enough.

ALWAYS say MERCI or MERCI BEAUCOUP every time it is appropriate. When the waiter leaves the coffee on the table, when you've paid for the things you've purchased, when you've checked out of your hotel. You simply can't say it enough.

LEARN to say PARDON or EXCUSEZ-MOI. Paris is particularly densely populated and walking down the street means tight spaces. The French don't mind those tight spaces, but if two people touch in anyway, you are sure to hear "Pardon" or "Excusez-moi." You'll hear it a million times a day, so be prepared to say it. You simply can't say it enough.

ALWAYS say AU REVOIR when you leave any establishment -- any café, restaurant, shop. Just get into the habit of saying "Merci, au revoir" every time you step out onto the street. It doesn't matter who exactly you say it to, but they'll hear you and know you have good manners. You simply can't say it enough.

THE WEATHER IS NOT IDEAL IN PARIS.

In fact, it could be called "Gray Paree" instead of "Gay Paree." It rains, it's cold, it's dreary a lot of the time. Do not leave your hotel or apartment without a small folding umbrella, no matter how pretty and sunny it looked when you left. If you heed this warning, you will be happier that you didn't have to stop what you were doing to hide indoors or find a place to buy an umbrella! And don't let the rain stop you from doing everything you want. Parisians don't.

THESE STREETS WERE MADE FOR WALKING.

While the public transportation in Paris is about the best in the world, nothing is more delightful than walking in Paris. Exploring Paris from the street is the best way to get to know the city and take in its beautiful sights. Be prepared to do lots of it, and that means having comfortable shoes ... comfortable city-style shoes. Athletic shoes will give you away as a tourist and tourists are targeted by pickpockets, so I suggest you find great looking comfortable shoes that will take you miles without blisters on your feet.

FACILITIES JUST AREN'T THE SAME.

Hotel rooms are small. Most of the hotels weren't originally built as hotels. Converted buildings are likely to have very small spaces, so the average hotel room in Paris is quite a bit smaller than the average U.S. hotel room. If you must have space, then be prepared to pay for it.

Very few buildings in Paris are air conditioned. Summer heat arrives only for about one month a year, so having air conditioning installed in a building or room not originally built to accommodate it is expensive and not worth it. This means many hotels are not air conditioned. Or restaurants. Or shops. The buses and Métro are not air conditioned, either. If you're here in the summer, be prepared to bear the heat or plan to come another time of year.

Toilets and bath rooms are usually separate rooms -- quite logical, really -- allowing two to use the facilities at the same time. Old-fashioned toilets may have a pull chain connected to a tank set high and in some instances, you may come upon a real relic -- the "Turkish" toilet. These are typically a hole in the ground with two spots for your feet and a pull chain (not always) to flush water onto the surface. You can view this as an adventure and learn to deal with it, or avoid it if you can. Keep in mind that many café and shopkeepers choose to preserve this momento of a Paris past.

Showers are usually hand-held devices and often, there is no hook to suspend it for a hands-free showering experience. On top of that, shower curtains are just now being discovered by the French. It is a wonder that never ceases to amaze me, however I have heard oh too often by French friends how easy it is to shower and scrub up while holding the sprayer in one hand and the soap in the other. I guess it takes practice. Nonetheless, it's a challenge...similar to using chopsticks for the first time. And just think how you will have broadened your talents!

DINING OUT.

In the Insider Paris Guide for Good Value Restaurants, I have written pages and pages on this subject. Dining well is something to be done often. The French expect to dine well at every meal. You can, too and learning how to dine like the French is sure to improve your overall dining experience. A few basic rules of thumb, however, will go a long way.

Know the difference between a café, brasserie, bistrot, bar à vin and restaurant, so that you will understand what times of day are best in each and what things are worth ordering in each. A bistrot or restaurant expects you to have a full meal and dine casually, so if you're on the run or want to eat light, choose a café or brasserie.

Respect the waiter -- waiting on tables in France is a very honorable profession, equivalent to an educator. Always use the five French phrases mentioned above, before, after and during the course of your meal.

By law, all prices on menus must include the service (tip), but if you've enjoyed good service, leave another 5% or so on the table. If you should ask if the service is included and you are told "no," please write me immediately about this restaurant -- as they are clearly trying to take advantage of you as a tourist.

PICKPOCKETING, THEFT AND SAFETY.

Pickpockets in Paris are well trained and clever. Most of the pickpocketing is done on the Métro (40%) and in tourist areas of the city. You won't lose your life, but you may lose your wallet or your passport. They target tourists, so look as little like a tourist as possible. This isn't easy since your foreign style of dress and general appearance are give-aways, but there are precautions you can take to avoid pickpockets.

This subject alone could be a book, so I won't go into too much detail -- but dress like a native as much as possible. Don't flaunt your camera, wallet, guide books or maps. That's a start. Then, carry your valuables in different places -- your credit cards separate from your cash, your passport separate from other pieces of identification. That helps. In fact, carry a COPY of your passport and leave the real thing in the hotel safe. Don't carry too much cash -- instead use the multitudes of ATM machines all over town to get a new supply. Fanny packs which you may think are safest of all, are dead ringers and get picked most of all!

ALL OF PARIS IS SAFE.

While there are a few areas of Paris to be avoided late at night, most all of Paris is safe. Women can be alone on the streets here at all hours in complete comfort.

RESPECT THE FRENCH.

Of all the advice one could give a first-time traveler to France, it is to treat its people and the environment with respect. They are hundreds of years ahead of you in civilization and to be respected as the young respect the old for their wisdom and experience. If you realize this and appreciate it, your respect will be evident in all your encounters and I can assure you, make each and every one a pleasurable experience.

Now...go out there on the streets of Paris and the beautiful roads of France and have the time of your life!

Adrian Leeds