Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
W
HEN
YOU
FIRST
COME
TO
P
ARIS
, you'll wonder, “What are the
Parisians like?” In fact, Parisians are a constant topic of
conversation among newcomers, at least until they think
(they think!) they have finally understood the essence of
the French. But the truth is that the answers—for there
are many, and they may not always be consistent—come
slowly, or as the French say,
petit à petit
. This is only partly
because fathoming the intricacies of any culture takes time.
The French are also traditionally private and reserved and
do not readily open themselves to people they have just met
or accept anything new. The main reason, however, is that
the populace of Paris is changing and if it was once easily
categorised, this is no longer the case.
The younger generations of Parisians—even those whose
roots have long been in this city—live in a world and have
attitudes their grandparents could never have imagined.
Their Paris is one of plenty, without the scars of privation and
hardship due to wars or depression. Their sphere is that of
instant news on television and of chatting on the Internet, of
universal education, Facebook and Twitter, and inexpensive
international travel. Even without leaving Paris, they can
explore the world. And they like it that way—keeping, in
their opinion, the best of French refinement and culture while
partaking of the international scene. It has moved them to
an openness and tolerance even their parents couldn't have
foreseen: of gays who openly make up about five per cent
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