There are certain things you don't do in Paris. Paris is a place to tour, but thou shalt not be a tourist. There is a shame to being a tourist, but not to tourism. There is something normal about visiting a place but you don't want to draw attention to yourself, less you be branded a tourist. My desire is to establish by this complicated paragraph that being a tourist is not preferable and all indications suggesting that you're participating in "tourist-ing" should therefore be avoided at all costs.
1) Thou shalt not read a map on a street corner. This makes people think you're lost. You don't want to be lost, not even give the impression that you're lost because honestly if you truly are lost you walk till you find a metro.
2) Thou shall not wear a baseball hat. This is for Americans mostly but it stands true for all, this is a sign of tourists which should be avoided, obviously. Futher, while you may need many items throughout the day, avoid the backpack if possible.
3) Thou shall not use a public toilet. Those are for tourists and further are disgusting. Use a McToilet (restroom at McDonalds) or a Starlet (Starbucks restrooms which do require you to purchase something).
4) Thou shall not use the tourist buses. Overpriced, bad views, crammed with people speaking all but French and...well...don't use them.
5) Thou shall not speak English loudly. Thou must attempt to speak softly, quietly, not loudly, kindly, sweetly, French-like. Speaking loud is considered rude based on the general belief that what you say on the phone or to your mate is your own private affair.
Thou shall blend in. I've neglected to note why one shouldn't be a tourist. It's more enjoyable to blend in, to be part of the culture, to integrate and experience a location from the view of the nationals who give that location the meaning it holds. That's why we try to fit in, and further we really enjoy it.
1) Thou shalt not read a map on a street corner. This makes people think you're lost. You don't want to be lost, not even give the impression that you're lost because honestly if you truly are lost you walk till you find a metro.
2) Thou shall not wear a baseball hat. This is for Americans mostly but it stands true for all, this is a sign of tourists which should be avoided, obviously. Futher, while you may need many items throughout the day, avoid the backpack if possible.
3) Thou shall not use a public toilet. Those are for tourists and further are disgusting. Use a McToilet (restroom at McDonalds) or a Starlet (Starbucks restrooms which do require you to purchase something).
4) Thou shall not use the tourist buses. Overpriced, bad views, crammed with people speaking all but French and...well...don't use them.
5) Thou shall not speak English loudly. Thou must attempt to speak softly, quietly, not loudly, kindly, sweetly, French-like. Speaking loud is considered rude based on the general belief that what you say on the phone or to your mate is your own private affair.
Thou shall blend in. I've neglected to note why one shouldn't be a tourist. It's more enjoyable to blend in, to be part of the culture, to integrate and experience a location from the view of the nationals who give that location the meaning it holds. That's why we try to fit in, and further we really enjoy it.
2 comments:
Great advice, Grace! :) VERY true. Particularly the loud talking one. So annoying.
The point you make about "experiencing a location from a nationals view point, who give the location the meaning it holds" is very profound and worth pondering upon. So nice to meet people where they are and not expect them to be impressed your a foriegner,thus freeing the conversation to be about them and their world and not you.
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