How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits

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Olivier Giraud Yeah. In Paris, a lot of people like going shopping on Saturday. And the service is like it is in restaurants. It’s funny. You know, if you go to America: Hey welcome to H&M, welcome. My name is Tracy.’ They’re very nice. In Paris, it’s different I mean, you, you get in, you don’t have to smile, you know, you look for what you want, and then you leave. It’s kind of different. Olivier Giraud Only a coffee. A ‘cafe allongé’ which is like a kind of American coffee. It’s like espresso with hot water. For Parisians – coffee only, though sometimes if I have guests in my house, I’ll buy some croissants – maybe three times per year… Although there are dozens of amazing French clothing brands, there are a few brands that Parisians love in particular. A measure of its success is that it is undetectable. You don’t talk about it, you don’t tell people. The main thing is to avoid any operation that distorts or that might turn a woman into a statue or a doll.” Olivier Giraud Yes! There are some visitors you know, they think the tips are not included. So they add like 10 or 20%, even if the service is bad, but, reallly they don’t have to be nice.

Truth be told, most of the chapters on Parisian culture weren't particularly insightful to me, but then again I do own a Garance Dore book and read her blog quite often, so I've already heard a lot about the specific Parisian 'frame of mind'. Moreover, I think that many things that are listed here as being particularly Parisian or French, are actually typical of most European countries. We all seem to love that 'no make up', 'going to theatre all the time', 'having hundreds of books in our home', 'cooking at home', 'refusing to share our recipes, claiming that something that took us 4 hours to cook is nothing really', 'organizing dinners that last until dawn', 'arguing passionately about everything'. As far as I noticed, those things aren't particular only to France. Four accomplished friends set out to do such a thing and with élan. If you only arm yourself with this guide to withstand 21st century onslaughts of lasers, fillers, Botox, and spinning class, you will succeed in embracing your inner-Parisian self whether you are in Hong Kong, or North Versailles, Pennsylvania. No respectable Parisian lives outside the city, as the very word banlieue (suburb) brings shivers to their stylish souls. Janine Marsh This is peak tourist season. How can you be on holiday? Hotels close in July and August too! I love that in France you are either a July person or an August person. And there is a name for this and I find it almost impossible to say August in French.

How can this not be a charming guide to being a woman? Where else could you read such suggestions as “Be unfaithful: cheat on your perfume, but only on cold days” or “Go to the theatre, to museums, and concerts as often as possible. Culture is like eating fruit and vegetables: it gives you a healthy glow.” When was the last time that a style guide told you to get out of the stores and head to the museums? The fabric: look at what the garment is made of and prefer natural fibers like cotton, silk, wool, cashmere or linen, etc., over synthetic fabrics. In sum, by employing these tips you’ll be able to act like a Parisian in no time. Stop looking like a lost tourist and start enjoying Paris the way it’s meant to be. Like they say: when in Paris do as the Parisians do. However, for many born-and-bred Parisians like me, it has always been simpler. What makes a Parisienne has never been her waistline, the colour of her skin or her hair, or the fact that she follows the latest fashion. It is the way she questions the world she lives in, and it is the freedom with which she speaks and leads her life. Being a Parisienne is all about a spirit, not a look. I saw a sign once in a cafe and it said if you ask for a coffee and you say ‘Bonjour un cafe s’il vous plait’ you’ll get it for one price. And if you walk in and just go ‘un cafe!’, you get it for a much higher price. I don’t know if that’s true.

BONUS: When you’re sitting outside at your café, have a copy of Le Monde folded up besides you. Although Parisians never have time to read it, it’s universally accepted as good journalism. Congratulations, now you’re sophisticated. Dress Like a Parisian

Don’t Let Facts Get in the Way

Favored “bo bo” (bourgeois bohemian) ambling areas are the Marais, Canal Saint Martin and République. Parisians love the casual-chic way of dressing. Décontracté is the French word for casual and some of the first Parisians I met in Paris loved to describe their style of dress with this word. Invest When You Can Parisian hair is never too brushed and coiffed. Instead, Parisians leave their hair as it naturally is. It might be tossed up into a messy bun, or hung loosely down below their shoulders. If your hair is flat, try sleeping with your wet hair pulled up overnight to give it some volume for the next day. Seasonal Parisian Style

Develop a snippy attitude toward any fonctionnaire (civil servant), who are notoriously tough, even obstructive, nuts in France.

Retailers:

Parisians mostly ignore fashion trends and opt for timeless clothing instead. They want to acquire pieces that are durable and can be passed down to their children. They tend to go for timeless designs that won’t go out of style anytime soon. Neutral Tones If the Parisienne could wear just a Burberry trench and nothing underneath, she would be in heaven.” Janine Marsh This is what she said. She gave me a look that said, I don’t want you to wear my beautiful dresses you are not worthy! Weirdly, at pedestrian eye level is another blue-and-green “rue Debelleyme” plaque which dates from the early 2000s when the city decided that its street names had to be lower down, but that it couldn’t be bothered to remove the old signs. So on this one wall you have three street names, two of which are correct. At least it’s democratic. This quirkiness in the details is what makes me content to be in Paris whether there’s a transport strike or not. Just strolling around is so much fun that I don’t need a monument, a museum or even a café to enjoy the city. Though I might occasionally indulge in a religieuse to enhance the mood.

Janine Marsh You’re saying about don’t smile, because sometimes I have to go to meetings with French people. And they always say to me, you smile too much. People won’t trust you. But I like to smile. I’m happy.

I could joke and say this is no surprise because Parisians are never content – which is what makes them Parisian. The other day, a French friend arrived for dinner with a warm, freshly-baked baguette. I thanked him profusely. “Shame it will be cool by the time we eat it,” he replied. Always look on the dark side. I blame Sartre. According to it, cheating is OK and they encourage it; you always have to look "f***able"; you have to be a feminist but let men be patronizing; and you cannot show your gums while speaking or smiling. Seriously, I'm not joking. As a dentist, I can GUARANTEE this is anatomically impossible for A LOT of people.