9. Respect the importance of aesthetics
The whole design of Paris, with its elegant Haussmann sandstone facades, basically puts beauty before practicality. An example: Parisians are not allowed to hang laundry on their balconies as it will affect the look of the buildings. This push for aesthetic perfection extends to clothing, too, and Parisians tend to favor the pared-down and tasteful. According to this approach, any sartorial choice that prioritizes practicality to the detriment of beauty may well be judged by the locals, so if you really want to blend in, it’s best to eschew the likes of big, clunky backpacks, sensible wide-rimmed sun hats, comfortable walking sandals etc. However, you may decide you simply don’t care about these exacting local codes, and that’s just fine. For more fashion tips, see our full guide on what to wear in Paris.
10. Watch and learn for queueing etiquette
British reader, please take three deep breaths and keep your pearls close for clutching. The queuing style in Paris is simply incomparable to the type of exemplary in-line behavior we might expect in Blighty. And while New York subway etiquette requires you let the passengers off the train first, on Parisian buses and metros, it’s a free-for-all, without much waiting for passengers to alight before climbing aboard. In shops, queues do form but are unpredictable in flow. It’s not always clear who has priority and navigating the system requires a certain level of assertiveness and boundaries: being overly polite won’t get you anywhere. Watch and learn the locals in each scenario to gauge what is best to do in each situation.
11. Tune in to the volume of the locals
Paris is a loud place with a constant cacophony of buzzy cafés, sirens, motorbikes, church bells, dogs and all kinds of other city chaos. However, the resting noise level of conversation here is quite muted. Parisians are used to being packed elbow-to-elbow at small bistro tables and have adjusted their volume accordingly. The volume at which we speak and laugh often makes tourists stand out in Parisian spaces—I’ve more than once been told to speak more quietly by fellow diners (which I, quite frankly, was not thrilled about). Adjust if you feel you want to; however, if you follow the above etiquette rules, locals tend to be a lot more forgiving of our gregarious ways.
12. Trust your wine merchant
It’s an accurate stereotype that the French take their wine very seriously. Ask for advice on which bottle to choose and your caviste (wine merchant) may speak at some length about grape varietals and terroir. Most of the time, they are not trying to flog you the most expensive bottle but really want to make sure you get the one that suits your tastes. You can always say your budget from the start so they guide you in your price range—this can be as low as 10-12 euros ($11 to $13 USD), even in a good wine shop.
13. Lean into leisure
Contrary to some stereotypes, Parisians are a hard-working lot, but they also take leisure very seriously. When you’re in town, do like the Parisians and try to live in the moment. While more famous and trendy restaurants will require booking ahead, very often, the best Parisian nights are spontaneous and unexpected.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
