Tips while in France

27 October 2007- So I promised Paris tips, and I will not disappoint. First in packing for your trip, pack only good shoes. Even if you plan a lovely evening dinner, most likely you are going to walk and get some miles in. The French are just now coming into the sport shoes wearing (tennis shoes for this side of the world). Get a couple pairs, with rubber soles. This becomes important later on. good socks too. Nothing that will bunch and squish those lovely american toes.

Come ready to walk in these shoes. As our relocation expert told us, Paris is not town for the handicapped. Expect lots of stairs (metro, museums, monuments etc). Most of the restrooms (les toilettes) are not on the same floor. Lots of spiral staircases. When you do come across an elevator, expect a tight fit. Very small lift. Most of the time these have been added to a building and they fit it in right in the space left in the middle of the aforementioned spiral staircases. We took the stairs alot, because they will try to still get 4 people in one of these things! Notre Dame doesn't have a lift (didn't think to much in planning for the future when it was built in 1163), and the Arch de Triomph has one but you have to plan ahead.

Back to those shoes. Rubber soles are important because some of the streets are still cobbled, stairs are stone. Rubber grips to these surfaces. Rubber also is easier to clean. The Parisians take their dogs for walks and do not carry bags with them. Eventually you step in it. This accounts for the custom removal of the shoes when you enter someone's house.

Practice the phrases "i don't understand", "please" "thank you" "could you repeat that" and really get good at monsieur, madame and mademoiselle. As long as you say please and thank you and acknowledge them with the bonjour or bonsois, you should get a smile. Oh and les toilettes!

Tourists are easy to spot. Wearing their sport shoes, fanny packs, cameras and maps, they are easy prey. Keep your bags compact, close to the body and read your maps and figure your plan out before you leave a location. Buy a pocket size map of the arrondisments (districts in Paris). Even the locals use them. The best scam I heard of was a girl will tell you that you have dropped a ring or something gold and sparkly. Then she will try to slip something to you. The cheapest souvenirs we saw were on the banks of the Seine. Much cheaper than at the attractions.

Service is included in the price of the meal or coffee at the restaurant. Cheaper prices are right at the bar (brassierie). If you get good service (they spoke in english), then leave a bit extra. You have already compensated them for bringing you your order. They take your order and then then return with it. Don't expect them to keep coming back and asking you for anything else. If you want it, ask for it.

Yes the food is fantastic. Butter, cream and all that. But believe me, you will walk it off. Soft drinks are pricey, beer too. Go for wine or juice or just a carafe of water. The plat du jour is the special. That is the fastest way to get a quick meal. They offer formulas for these. One plate of the day with a drink and dessert is 12.90 euro.

All this will be helpful and of course if you come stay at the new Chez Nickell, you will also have an expert Parisian housewife for a guide for a small charge of coffee and wine at the cafes while we are out. Wink wink.