SETTLING IN - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 149

against the euro. But for the British, although the pound
is less strong than just a few years ago, prices are still
advantageous.
Estimating how much it will cost to live in Paris will
depend on several factors, including whether you are paid
in dollars, pounds or euros, etc., that is, how much spending
power your income actually has when converted to euros.
Although you'll surely start by comparing prices in Paris
with those at home, it's best to start, early on, by comparing
prices in euros from one shop to another. Remember that
tax is included in the price quoted and that the tip is already
figured into every restaurant bill.
Expensive in many regards, Paris is nonetheless
agreeably liveable, as its residents can attest. Most middle-
class Parisians have learned how to live satisfactorily, setting
their priorities and looking for good value at each turn.
They frequent the semi-annual sales, look for promotions,
and hound the discount houses. They shop for seasonally
plentiful produce at the outdoor markets and eat and
entertain well at home—except for meals at their favourite
bistros or brasseries , at the inexpensive Asian restaurants
or, on occasion, in a fine restaurant.
Assume that domestic goods will be cheaper, imported
more expensive. Fresh produce, cheeses and breads are
the least expensive, and some items such as canned goods
may be more expensive than what you're used to. Wines
range from the drinkable and cheap, good and moderately
priced, to the fabulous but astronomical—it just takes a
little tasting to figure out what you like and can afford.
Goods in tourist areas may cost more than in outlying
neighourhoods. The cinema and theatre cost about the
same as in most cosmopolitan capitals, as do sporting and
theatrical events.
Gas and electricity bills may be higher than what you're
used to, but telephone calling plans vary greatly and are
getting cheaper, given the increasing competition in the
field. Large appliances and electronic equipment that used
to be more expensive in Europe than in North America are
now generally competitive in price. Imported appliances