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| Take in a view of Notre Dame, then parlez with the booksellers along the river. |
When traveling to a foreign
country, you want to try to fit in with local customs and habits. This is
perhaps even more true for people who stay at Paris vacation rentals. After
all, you’re likely to be living like a local, versus a tourist staying at a
hotel. And truly living like a local in Paris, with all its amazing charms, can make
your trip to this eternally romantic city even more enjoyable.
The first thing to
remember is to keep it simple to start. A friendly bonjour
(hello), or asking if the person you meet speaks English (parlez-vous
anglais?) is highly regarded. Be patient, and speak English slowly, though
not loudly, and you will be
greeted with open arms. Parisians are generally private people but may enjoy
casual people watching from cafes. Eye contact should be avoided in public,
especially in the case of opposing genders, as this can be misconstrued for
affection.
Parisians greet by shaking
hands; air-kisses are widely recognized as a common action but are usually
reserved for close companions. However, don't be surprised if they extend this
gesture to you as their guest. Follow your companion's lead if you're unsure of
any social expectation, and only offer one light air kiss, or bisous, on each cheek. This may take some
practice to build confidence. In many cases, a simple display of your basic
phrases will be enough to assure your company that you are American but willing
to learn, and that is all they ask.
Unlike America, tipping is
not usually expected. Most restaurants add a 15% service fee to your bill
automatically, but this is not considered a tip. Many Parisians will refuse to
offer an additional 10% to their server unless the service was outstanding.
Only in cases of exceptional service or in restaurants that hold higher esteem
does it become more of an expectation to tip. If you take a taxi, drivers
should always be tipped; tips do not usually exceed one or two Euros.
Usherettes at the Opera house should also be tipped; they are the only other
exception to the rule.
