Paris has been described and spoken about so many times over so many years, making it difficult to find something new or original to say about it. When you actually experience Paris, you realize just how difficult it is to describe this beautiful city with words.
Paris has more well-known landmarks than any other spots on the planet. One thing that Paris’ description is not short of is Paris clichés. Visitors may describe the city with Paris clichés as a place of:
- Great monuments
- Great food
- Cafes and bistros on every corner
- Intellectuals debating all kinds of issues
- Romance
- Sexy and elegant people
- Rude and aggressive residents
- Hating Americans
- Superior attitude
- Whiners constantly on strike
- Residents with bad odor due to poor hygiene
- Unfriendly people who know how to speak English but don’t want to
- Unhelpful Parisians
Those Paris clichés may be true in some instances but it is not the norm. We encourage visitors to come and experience Paris for themselves to find out whether or not the Paris clichés are true. Follow some advice to get the most out of your time in Paris:
- Be flexible and ready to adapt to a new culture
- Be humble and patient
- Attempt to meet French people and discover Paris though local eyes. Parisian people are proud of their city and love to help people discover the city of lights
- Stay in a Paris vacation rentals to live more like a local
- Don’t behave like a tourist
- Try to learn a few basic sentences in French
- Always be polite and considerate of other people.
If you don’t speak French, apologize and let Parisian know that “je ne parle pas Francais? parlez vous Anglais? If you get a “oui” or “un peu” then you may proceed in English.
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