Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pigalle
Paris' red light district, the infamous “Pig Alley,” is at the foot of Butte Montmartre. Ooh
la la. It's more racy than dangerous. Walk from Place Pigalle to Place Blanche, teasing
desperatebarkersandfast-talkingtemptresses.Inbars,a€150bottleof(whatwouldother-
wisebe)cheapchampagnecomeswithafriend.Sticktothebiggerstreets,hangontoyour
wallet,andexercisegoodjudgment.Cancancancostafortune,ascanconartistsintopless
bars. After dark, countless tour buses line the streets, reminding us that tour guides make
big bucks by bringing their groups to touristy nightclubs like the famous Moulin Rouge
(Mo: Pigalle or Abbesses).
Shopping in Paris
Evenstaunchanti-shoppersmaybetemptedtoindulgeinchicParis.Wanderingamongel-
egant and outrageous boutiques provides a break from the heavy halls of the Louvre, and,
ifyouapproachitright,alittleculturalenlightenment.Evenifyoudon'tintendtobuyany-
thing, budget some time for window-shopping. The expression for “window-shopping” in
French is faire du lèche-vitrines —“window-licking.”
French Etiquette
Before you enter a Parisian store, remember the following points:
• In small stores, always say, “Bonjour, Madame or Mademoiselle or Monsieur” when
entering.Andremembertosay “Aurevoir,Madame or Mademoiselle or Monsieur”
when leaving.
•Thecustomer isnotalwaysright.Infact,figuretheclerkisdoingyouafavorbywait-
ing on you.
• Except in department stores, it's not normal for the customer to handle clothing. Ask
first before you pick up an item: “Je peux?” (zhuh puh), meaning, “Can I?”
• By law, the price of items in a window display must be visible, often written on a slip
of paper set on the floor or framed on the wall. This gives you an idea of how ex-
pensive or affordable the shop is.
• For clothing size comparisons between the US and France, see here of the appendix.
• Forget returns (and don't count on exchanges).
• Observe French shoppers. Then imitate.
• Saturday afternoons are très busy and not for the faint of heart.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search