How To Be Mistaken For A Parisienne (when In Paris!)

Part attitude, part dress-code, the secret formula for looking French is really not difficult to master. Whenever I am in Paris, I am often stopped on the streets and asked by locals for directions. First tip – Parisiennes do not carry maps. They just ask. Of course, you will need a map but try not to walk around with the map glued to your face.

The dress code is easy. Wear stylish clothes. Keep your mom jeans at home or throw them in the poubelle (garbage) before you leave. In the winter, wear a stylish winter coat (no sports gear) and a scarf paired with a great looking pair of boots. In summer, wear skirts with t’s or summer dresses with flat sandals. Please no walking shoes. Carry an attractive handbag. I often see Americans looking like they are on safari – with Tilley hats, backpacks and fanny packs. Paris is not hiking in the rocky mountains. Get over it.

Pretend the sidewalk is your own personal runway. Walk with purpose as if all eyes are on you. Notice how Parisiennes walk as if they were in their own personal fashion show.

Try not to smile too much. Smiling for no reason is a dead giveaway that you’re not from around these parts. Parisiennes think that Americans on the whole, smile too much.

Pretend you can speak French. Every time you enter a shop or restaurant, say bonjour to all. It’s not a yell, it’s a casual way of saying hello. When you leave, say au revoir. Even if no one is there to hear you. This tip alone is worth half your grades of trying to be mistaken for a Parisienne. Try to communicate in French – just bonjour, au revoir and merci are three magic statements to master.

Speak softly. When you are in a restaurant, keep your voice down. Notice how Parisiennes speak quietly and keep their attention and focus on their dining partner. Americans are loud. Loud talking and raucous laughter are like nails on a blackboard to other Parisienne diners.

In restaurants, learn how to order like a Parsienne. Order the prix fixe menu – the 3 or 4 course menu sans substitutions. Please don’t share meals, order sauces on the side, or other nonsense. Throw your North American restaurant ways out the fenetre (window) before you leave home. I once caught myself, correcting an American sitting next to me in a restaurant trying to order just an appetizer for her meal. The waiter really didn’t understand her bizarre request. Paris restaurants have their rules, and once you understand them you'll enjoy the experience even more.

Once you master the dress code, cultural differences and nuances, you will be on your way to feeling like you fit in, like you’re an insider in Paris if only for a few days.