Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What is going on here? Well, i nding specii c destinations
in Paris can be difi cult. And the French have as good a sense
of expediency as anybody. They also love to discuss things
(as we will see later). So it seems sensible to i nd a person who
looks like they are local and discrete and ask them. Getting
out a map involves a great deal more effort, not to mention
advertising to everyone on the street their embarrassing
predicament. Remember that rooster! The French like to look
like they are in control, even when they are not.
Getting back to the job at hand… if you speak a little
French, you now have a chance to participate in your i rst
verbal waltz. You allow the person i rst to apologise and
The First Steps
There are certain basics of cultural survival in any
country: eating, dressing and communicating. In France,
each of these is an art form—which is one reason why
Paris is the most popular tourist destination on earth.
Eating
The endless joy of the French is their food. Menus
are studied in detail. Waiters are proud of the
dishes they present and will advise you on choices
as conscientiously as a doctor gives his prognosis.
Two hours are often dedicated to the pleasures
of lunch. The only thing you can do really wrong
with eating in France is to rush it. This includes
snacking in public. Sit down and join the French for
a proper meal.
Dressing
The dress code in France appears to be typically
Western and, especially among the young, 'anything
goes'. But you will also i nd, especially when in Paris,
that the French care a great deal about the way they
dress. The streets are full of people for whom being
sophisticated includes looking 'comfortable in their
skin'. Enjoy the art, the architecture, the food and your
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