SETTLING IN - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 157

FreeSurf; website:http://www.freesurf.fr
La Poste; website:http://www.laposte.net.
Numericable; http://www.offers.numericable.fr/home.php
website: http://www.sfr.fr
Tele2.internet; website:http://www.tele2.fr
Telecom Italia-Alice; website:http://www.aliceadsl.fr
Orange (France Télécom) website: http://www.orange.fr.
Cybercafés
These days, Internet access (including Wi-Fi) is available
almost anywhere, including at hotels, train stations and
cafés. In addition to checking your email at cybercafés
throughout the city, the city of Paris has installed free
WiFi in many of its public spaces—libraries, town halls,
and parks. The American Library (see page 181) also
offers Internet access to its members; daily membership
is available. And, La Poste is not only an Internet provider,
several of its branches in Paris also offer a Cyberposte
option—Internet access using a rechargeable card (http://
www.laposte.net). For both, it's important to check opening
hours. For other sites, see Internet: espaces de consultation
in the Yellow Pages .
The Post Office
La Poste is one of the most important institutions in France
(http://www.laposte.fr). It is the country's most wide-ranging
bank, handles all post office services and, as mentioned
above, has its own Internet service. Its English-language
website has helpful information for people “Already Living
in France' (http://www.laposte.com).
There are often several post offices in one neighourhood,
with yellow fronts and blue lettering. Despite long lines,
service is generally helpful and efficient. The yellow post
boxes on the street have two slots specifying the mail
destination: Paris et Banlieue (Paris and Suburbs) or Province
et Etranger (Provinces and International).
Post offices are open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm weekdays
and until noon on Saturday. For the post office in your district,
look in the Yellow Pages under Poste . The city's main post