What NOT To Do In Paris: 8 First-Time Travel Mistakes To Avoid
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Are you visiting Paris, France for the primary time quickly? Make positive you keep away from these widespread first-time journey errors throughout your journey!
Paris is one in every of my favourite cities on the earth — I used to stay there, and I just lately returned from a month-long journey that had me considering one other transfer sooner or later.
But I usually hear from different vacationers who could not stand Paris and had a nasty time there or thought it was completely overrated.
And often, these vacationers made one (or a number of) of the next errors!
These are the widespread errors to keep away from in your first journey to Paris:
Visiting During High Season
If I needed to give any recommendation about your first journey to Paris, it might be to not go in the midst of summer time! June, July, and August are excessive season for vacationers in Paris, and every thing is extraordinarily crowded.
All the Parisians depart in August (it is their predominant summer time trip month) so town is simply full of vacationers. And it is HOT throughout this time of 12 months.
Since most buildings in Paris haven’t got air con (even fancy motels have weaker AC than what you are most likely used to at dwelling) this may be an disagreeable time to go to.
With the Olympics taking place in Paris this summer time, I’d recommend a visit even less as a result of not solely will the crowds be insane, however costs for every thing will even skyrocket.
Instead, spring and fall are the very best occasions to go to Paris — April, May, or October are my prime picks for the very best time of 12 months to plan a visit.
Not Learning Any French
You definitely do not need to grow to be fluent in French earlier than you go to Paris.
And the reality is, most Parisians communicate good English already, so that you definitely do not want French to get by. But studying a number of fundamental phrases will go a good distance.
Even simply figuring out and utilizing “bonjour” (hi there), “au revoir” (goodbye), “s’il vous plaît” (please), and “merci” (thanks) is way appreciated.
If you make an effort to talk a tiny little bit of French somewhat than simply barreling as much as somebody and talking in English instantly, you will see that they often have a hotter angle.
Thinking Parisians Are Rude
Many folks have the impression that Parisians are impolite, however that is actually not the case.
Some of it simply comes right down to cultural norms. For instance, in France, it is anticipated that you’ll say “bonjour” once you enter a store or a restaurant.
Failing to greet the shopkeeper or hostess is rude.
Similarly, earlier than you ask somebody a query, it is also well mannered to greet them first, somewhat than simply strolling up and asking “Which line do I need to be in?” or “Where’s the bathroom?”
Falling For Common Scams
Unfortunately, Paris is rife with vacationer scams, and a surefire solution to damage your first journey is to fall for one in every of these scams.
Here are some issues to be on alert for:
- Friendship bracelets: A man will come as much as you and begin tying a friendship bracelet onto your wrist. Don’t let him, he’ll attempt to cost you for it afterward!
- Rose “gift” rip-off: Similarly, a person will strategy you or your journey companion providing a rose as a “gift” however then demand cost after you settle for it.
- Fake petitions: A bunch of ladies will come as much as you, often pretending to be from a deaf charity or another group wanting you to signal a petition. These are faux and they’re going to both ask you for cash or attempt to pickpocket you.
- Metro pickpockets: If you are on a crowded Metro, keep extraordinarily vigilant and hold a detailed maintain in your belongings, as a result of that is when pickpockets most frequently strike.
By recognizing these widespread scams, you possibly can simply keep away from them.
Over-Planning Your Trip
One of the largest errors you can also make in your first journey to Paris is over-planning it and making an attempt to cram an excessive amount of into a brief period of time.
I get it, in case you solely have 3 or 4 days in Paris, it is solely pure that you simply need to maximize your time and see and do as a lot as attainable.
But planning an excessive amount of can find yourself making your journey annoying.
Instead of ready according to hundreds of different vacationers to go as much as the Eiffel Tower commentary deck (which is not even an incredible view because you’re in essentially the most iconic constructing within the Paris skyline), why not have a soothing picnic on the Champ de Mars and luxuriate in views of the Eiffel Tower from there as an alternative?
Or as an alternative of battling the crowds on a day journey to Versailles in case you solely have a number of days in Paris, why not keep within the metropolis and stroll alongside the Seine or discover a cool neighborhood just like the Latin Quarter as an alternative?
These are the kinds of experiences you may bear in mind and luxuriate in greater than feeling like it’s important to examine off each single touristy exercise in Paris.
Dressing Inappropriately
I usually see vacationers in Paris fall into one in every of two extremes relating to clothes.
They’re both fully underdressed, sporting flip-flops, a t-shirt, and a fanny pack, they usually may as properly have a neon signal studying “tourist” over their head. You do not need to be this particular person as a result of it makes you stand out and grow to be extra of a goal for pickpockets and scammers.
I additionally see vacationers in Paris dressed up like they’re an additional in Emily in Paris. No Parisian really wears a beret, a flowery costume or skirt, and excessive heels whereas strolling across the metropolis.
If you go too dressy, you may find yourself being fairly uncomfortable. Instead, I like to recommend sporting snug footwear and sticking to traditional darks and neutrals on your clothes.
Throwing Away Your Metro Ticket
Although Paris is progressively phasing out paper metro tickets in favor of the digital Navigo cross, you may nonetheless find yourself shopping for paper tickets in your journey.
Be positive to not throw your ticket away, although! When you might be exiting the Metro, there are typically transit police checking tickets, and in case you’re caught with out one, you may be fined.
Waiting For The Restaurant Bill
At dwelling, you is perhaps used to going out to eat and the waiter coming to examine on you a number of occasions all through your meal.
This isn’t the way it works in Paris.
You’ll must flag down the waiter and ask if there’s one thing you want throughout your meal, and this contains asking for the examine on the finish too.
In French, you possibly can say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” once you’re able to pay.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.