First of all: even the French – that is, non-Parisians – don't always get it right when they visit the country's capital. For what? Because in the southwest of France, Chocolate bread is called chocolatineand in Alsace, they start their Kisses (double kiss greeting) on the left cheek, not the right. This means you probably won't be alone in making a misstep. during the visit. You are a tourist, after all. We know it, we know it: you want to avoid being seen as such.
I'd say leave the fanny pack and sneakers at home, but both are back in style these days, and Paris is known for its avant-garde trends. I learned this the hard way when I arrived from New York in 2014. Since Parisians don't prance around in their activewear like Americans, I wore jeans to the yoga studio, only to arrive and realize I had left my leggings at the hotel. At my house. Luckily, that rule about always being dressed to impress has relaxed a bit due to the pandemic, although a few other steadfast rules remain.
Here are 10 travel mistakes to avoid on your next trip to Paris.
Not saying “Hello” at the entrance or “Please” and “Thank you” enough
It's one of the first things we're taught in elementary school: pay attention to your Ps and Qs. In Paris, it's also imperative to say “hello” (Good morning if it's daytime, Good evening if it is dark) when entering a store or restaurant. Eye contact is also encouraged. Recognize your peers. This one took me a while to get used to, and I'll never forget the time I walked up to someone in a store and launched straight into a question before saying Good morning. Madame, naturally, was not happy. When in doubt, simply start with Good morning.
Waiting for water and the bill in restaurants
Let's start with dining out, because eating and drinking in Paris is a favorite pastime and one to take seriously – so seriously, in fact, that you won't be rushed out the door at the end of your meal. Eating is a time to savor both the flavors of the food and the company you keep. That's why the bill won't arrive as soon as your plates are cleared and you've had your last sip of water. (Speaking of which, you'll probably have to ask for water… a jug of water, please, if you just want to type (unless you're in a super fancy restaurant). The bill will only be placed on the table when you request it (The check, please).
Forgetting to book in advance at restaurants
Most well-known restaurants require reservations. For some, this means the day before; for others, that means a week or a month in advance. Regardless, it is important to put your name on the list. Dining rooms are significantly smaller in Paris and, unlike American cities like Los Angeles or New York, they are not as interested in turning tables and increasing staff numbers as they are in preparing something delicious during their working hours. kitchen fixed. Generally, this time slot is between 12:00 and 2:15 p.m. for lunch and 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. for dinner, although there are restaurants and cafes open all day (look for signs saying continuous service).
Not everyone travels to eat, but if you do, plan ahead and make a reservation. Many restaurants have online systems, so you don't have to worry about whether you should use you Or YOU when speaking to the person during a telephone call. (For greater safety, always leave with YOU.)
Visit in August or December
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If you're traveling to eat at a specific Michelin-starred spot or a chef's new pop-up you follow on Instagram, avoid going there in August or December, when many restaurants close for the holidays. If you are a newbie or don't like croissants very much and think that all baguettes are equal (see next section), monuments, museums and parks will still be open. But, in general, the city has a calm and closed atmosphere during these two months. Some love it, while others, like me, thrive on the buzz.
Of course, thanks to the 2024 Olympics, this August will be busier than usual, although things should calm down towards the end of the month.
Have a coffee in a Corner Café
If you haven't already noticed, in France, food is the life. Maybe you dream of visiting Paris, sitting on one of those wicker chairs facing the street and ordering a coffee and cream. It was mine too. And yes, there's nothing like people-watching or reading Hemingway or Sartre from one of those local cafes. But if I may, let me remind you of two things: Smoking is still allowed on patios, so expect whatever you order to come with second-hand smoke. And the coffee in such places is probably not good. It's best to order wine or a beer if all you want to do is soak in and take in the scene. Lovers of quality beans should seek out the new artisanal coffee shops now proliferating in Paris for a true filtered (long, black coffee) or a cream where the foam is not the equivalent of overly soapy bath bubbles.
Buy a baguette instead of a tradition
Meanwhile, at the bakery, ask for a tradition (traditional if you really want to look like a local) rather than a baguette. The latter is white inside, can be made with any ingredient, and is often mass-produced, so it's not as delicious. A traditional can only contain flour, salt, water and yeast and is usually made by hand on site; so it's much tastier. If you're lucky enough to get one straight from the oven, I challenge you not to devour the whole thing on the way to your destination.
Eat or drink on the go
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Speaking of eating or drinking on the go, Parisians don't really do it. Again, food and drinks are meant to be enjoyed and ingested slowly, without rushing, on your computer or on the subway. The only thing I've ever seen people eating on the street while walking is a sandwich or a baguette (probably because it's hot – and yes, you can still call it a baguette colloquially even if you order a tradition). Coffee is rarely ordered to go or taken en route; even eating apples or bananas on the street can cause people to make fun of you. And while there are some do's and don'ts at the table too – like the correct way to cut cheese or serve wine – Parisians are ultimately an international group, so if you want to eat a burger or slice of pizza with your hands while they cut theirs with a fork and knife, go for it.
Touch anything without asking
When it comes to getting your hands dirty, don't. Or, as the French say, Do not touch! At food markets, it's best to ask before you buy something. Same rule applies to any weekend flea markets (flea markets) that dot the streets of the neighborhood. Many items for sale are valuable and fragile, so it's best to get the seller's attention and point rather than fondling the porcelain salt and pepper set as if it were already yours.
Buy a week pass and throw away the metro tickets
There are a range of metro ticket options, including single-ride paper tickets and extended-use passes that you can refill.
If you plan to stick with paper tickets, it's important to keep your used ticket until you exit your destination station. You might be tempted to throw it away immediately, but the metro is heavily monitored and you will be fined if you don't have a ticket proving you paid for your ride. That said, many popular Parisian sites are so close together that you may want to walk and enjoy the attractions along the way. Unless you're here for an extended stay or travel to a specific location regularly, don't bother buying a week's pass.
Hailing a taxi in the middle of the street
If you're not up for walking or taking the metro, car services are everywhere, including old-fashioned taxis. (Official taxis say “Taxi Parisien” or “G7” on the vehicle.) There are designated taxi ranks from which you can board and leave. That said, Uber is widely used, so you can also order one from anywhere. Fares vary depending on destination, but prices from the airport are always the same: from Charles de Gaulle, it is €56 for a Parisian Taxi to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank; from Orly, it’s €36 to the Left Bank and €44 to the Right Bank.
