Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Why? Well, i rst, this allows the person waiting on you to
be more personable, to present the products to you without
regard for price, free of the unpleasant necessity of taking
your money. It also allows the boss to control the till. Usually
the cashier is more senior than the service personnel. Usually
it is a woman and often she is the owner or co-owner with
her husband.
Money exchange is a tedious but serious thing in France.
It should not distract from your shopping experience, but
it should be in the hands of someone senior, an adult with
wisdom and authority.
You will i nd a strong sense of honour among shoppers
in France. Products are often out in alluring display on the
sidewalk, whenever the weather allows, while the shopkeeper
is inside attending to customers. I've never seen anyone
shoplift anything, though it would be easy enough to do.
Count your change carefully and remember when you
give a 20 euro bill instead of 10 euros that you get that extra
10 euros back! It's almost a game, giving incorrect change,
and you are considered irresponsible if you let it happen
to you. People check their bills and count their change in
France. Money may be unpleasant, but it cannot be ignored.
Also watch for pickpockets, especially on busy market
days, in crowds and in places where there are tourists.
Now, on to the variety of shops in France!
FOOD SHOPPING
The Outdoor Markets
The open-air food markets of France are legendary and
though a dying form of merchandising in the world, they
are kept alive here by the vitality of both the products and
the people who sell them. Bless their hearts.
All over France and all around Paris the old 'market day'
tradition continues. Each neighbourhood has a regular
marché
street, set up at least once a week and each village
will have a day when the merchants set up in the town
square. Regular streets in Paris turn into block-long open-
air bazaars. The most important market day is Sunday
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