Hey,
I posted a ad about my move to France on Craigslist, hoping to get any kind of advice about living in or moving to Paris. A nice lady name Kathleen sent me great tips, from how to enjoy Paris to finding out what the French like and don't like. Here is the email she sent me...
1. learn the metro by heart. you'll be using it everyday. memorize it. know it even better than the back of your hand.
2. when you enter any kind of shop or restaurant, listen closely. almost inaudibly, you will hear the person who enters the store say "bonjour monsieur/dame" (whoever is there). when you can hear them say it (it's very quiet), then YOU do it. it's a good manners kind of thing, and they'll respect you for it. but don't do it unless you've heard them do it a few times, so you understand HOW to do it.
3. check the bread at numerous cafes and boulangeries. they are all just a bit different. each chef has his own little way of making his bread his. after tasting a bunch of places, find the one you like the best. then make friends with the owners or shop keepers.
4. buy really good walking shoes. you'll be doing a lot of walking. maybe 2 or 3 pairs. get them here, before you go over there. and break them in before you go. just make sure they're really good quality so they can last awhile.
5. don't be afraid of a little rain. a lot, fine, use an umbrella. but if it's just a little, don't sweat it. the french like to take it all in, rain or no rain. enjoy it.
6. try to speak french as much as you can. carry a pocket dictionary. if they see you're really trying, they'll help you. but if you go over there with an american attitude that everyone there should speak english, then they'll shun you for life.
7. watch and learn how the frenchmen dress. one of their "games" is to pick people out of a crowd and name their nationality. i thought it was weird at first, but after being there for a few months (i lived there a year total), i could do it too. it's weird. but it's 90% clothes. so, if you want to fit in, dress like the natives, NOT like a typical american tourist. better yet, find a friend, and have him/her go shopping with you. then, after you're there about 6 months, you try the "game". it's fun.
8. be patient. especially at meal times. the french like to take their time, enjoy their food, and really taste it all...not just devour it down in 5 minutes flat and then run to a meeting or class. learn to slow down. enjoy life. enjoy every single bite of the food. don't rush through it. just enjoy.
9. visit all the tourist sites. study them. know them. the french are very proud of their historical sites and places to visit. they talk about them every day. if you don't know them, they'll think you don't really care about their country. and don't go just once. go several times to each place.
10. know that when you order water at a restaurant, they will bring you perrier. so, either get used to perrier, or order something else.
well...that's it for now. i lived in tours, which is south of paris. was there for 1 year. that was many years ago. i speak fluent french and italian. have never been back since. would go in a second if i could. would live there, if i could.count yourself very very lucky to go there. cherish every minute of it. take pictures. write a journal every day of your life there. cause someday you will look back on it all, and say "wow, was i really there?" and your pictures and journal will confirm it. it will seem like a dream. and it will be.
good luck, james. i'm jealous you're going, and i'm not.
have fun....and like i said......enjoy.
kathleen
THANK YOU KATHLEEN for these great tips.
