7 Everyday Things That Are Different In Paris

So we have officially completed our first week here. We are all loving it. There are so many awesome things about Paris! There are also, of course a lot of differences from my normal suburban lifestyle. Besides the language, currency, and temperature, there are a few things have stuck out in my early impression as unique to Paris and/or Europe in general.


7 Everyday Things That Are Different In Paris

1. Parisians LOVE their dogs. I know many people are fond of their pets and treat them like a member of the family but Parisians take it to a new level. These dogs are all full-breads, (no mutts in Paris) incredibly well groomed, with fancy leashes and collars, and their owners take them everywhere. It is not at all unusual to see a dog inside a restaurant, supermarket, bank or clothing store. Bringing your kids into the Brasserie (casual restaurant) might get you a sideways look and a sigh from the waiter, but your dog is perfectly welcome. An usual thing to adjust to as you sit eating a $25 plate of food while at the table next to you Fido scratches and sniffs. Although I do have to admit, Parisians also seems to have the best behaved dogs on the planet. Even the dogs are sophisticated here.

2. You can drink anywhere! It's an odd sensation for your typical California girl (who is used to alcohol being served only under lock and key and after 45 ID checks) to see someone wondering through the Louvre drinking a Heineken. The little street vendors sell hot dogs, chips, crepes and wine. Yesterday people at the table next to use ordered a second beer after their meal and took them to go. The relaxed attitude around alcohol doesn't seem to lead to drunken parties in the streets. In fact the attitude surrounding alcohol is the opposite. It's really no big deal. Just another small thing to be enjoyed and to enhance your life.

3. People really do dress better here. French people in general really do dress in a very sophisticated manor. And skinny jeans are all the rage, for both men and women.The men manage to look sophisticated and elegant (and would probably look too feminine in the US) but here they fit right in next to their elegant and put together with out trying-to-hard counterparts. They wear skinny jeans and straight leg pants with a tapered ankle. And not like Americans wear skinny leg pants. They do where them with boots and heals, but also with flats, tennis shoes, low flat boots, sandals. The only boot cut pants are on the tourists. Of course this is the only cut I brought, but that's ok my butt is too big for skinny jeans anyways. Which brings me to my next line item...

4. French people are thin. Believe it or not, I don't think I have seen even one overweight french person yet. Ok, I'm sure they do exist, but by and large the country has a tight watch on their collective waistline. And it makes you wonder. How to they do it. Joggers are rare to see. We have walked all over, including our neighborhood which is not a touristy place, and I have yet to see even one gym. Plus all of the food here is full fat. They do not skimp on pastries, or rich butter or cheese, or wine, or anything else they want to eat. I suppose the secret is a combination of factors. They walk a lot. Portions are smaller. And almost everything, even in the grocery stores is fresh. Not a lot of trans fats. Hey, maybe I'll even loose weight while I'm here. Maybe? :) A girl can hope....more cheese please.

5. People everywhere love a cute baby. This is not by any means a baby-friendly city. When I say that I don't mean it in a negative way. It's just like any other big city really. There are lots of stairs and not many elevators or ramps. Not great for strollers. Most restaurants and cafes do not have high chairs or changing tables. But the Parisians we have encountered have generally been incredibly helpful in trying to help us make it work. Several random strangers have helped us carry strollers down the metro steps, or shuffled things so we could fit in a cafe. And E is enjoying an abundance of attention. He is gleeful as he rides down the street being smiled at and waved to by practically everyone. Even our surly french waiter stopped and baby-talked to him to day when he thought I wasn't looking.


6. People will reprimand your children.  I didn't know this before we came to France, but apparently here it is perfectly appropriate to discipline someone else's child. Adults have no problem speaking sternly to your child and telling them, for example, to sit down and shut their mouths. In France children should be seen and not heard. It is a bit of a shock to typical a "I want to nurture their spirit" type of California mom to have another adult speak like that to my kid. It is very easy to get defensive. However I am trying to remember that they mean no harm, and are probably trying to help. And I just think, "If they judge me well I'll never see them again anyway." Then I just look the other way while S helps himself to a third sample of their cheese.

7. People will touch your baby! Like everyone, all the time. Bus boys, and store clerks and little old ladies on the bus. They have no issue at all with patting E's head or tickling him, or what always makes me cringe, touching his hands - which of course promptly go right back in the mouth. I am trying to get over my American "don't touch my baby" issues. But it is quite a change.

For those keeping score at home, even though it has been rainy and cold we are seeing a lot. Today we climed to the top of Sacre Coeur. It was too high for me and having S up there with the slippery floors and low rails made me insaenly nervous. But it was still a cool view and a great accomplishment. We are planning to go to Disney tomorrow (don't tell S it's a suprise). We orginally had it scheduled for later in the month, but the day we were planning is a national holiday and it's sure to be busy. Hoping for good weather and a super fun day for the kids.