Imagine what my head was doing when packing my suitcase! I am extremely adamant that while traveling to NEVER EVER WHATSOEVER look like a tourist. I trolled the internet for the latest fashion in France.I looked up what to carry and what the locals were wearing. Yes, I am a tourist but I want to look like I belong and not have a huge neon light screaming, 'I don't come from here. Rob me!'.
So from my discoveries, I noted a few thing I had to do (and not do) while in France. I might sound like a snob, but these are my rules.
1. Don't wear sneakers or runners. They might be très comfortable but they look hideous and I'm not running a marathon. Plus they don't match anything I'm bringing.
2. Don't talk too loud. Etiquette is important. So is volume. Lucky I'm not a loud person but if I'm traveling with anyone that's laughing or talking like they're trying to communicate with someone on the moon, I'm leaving the area and pretending I don't know them. It probably wouldn't make a difference - I'd still be able to hear them.
3. Floral shirts, hats and thongs. Ok, I put 'hat' in there because I'm not a fan of hats. I'm also not a fan of floral shirts. We're in Paris, not Hawaii.
4. No backpacks. There's nothing that tells people that you're a tourist more than wearing something huge an clunky on your back. Unless you're camping, trekking through the Thai jungle or going to school, don't. Please. You're not a snail carrying around your house. And they're so ugly. Forget the neon sign - wear a backpack.
5. Don't walk around with a map/camera/food in your hands. Of course you're going to have a look at a map sometimes, but be discreet. And a camera? Well, I'm torn with this because I always take photos of everything anyway. The food one I get. Eating in France is different here. They take time to eat and drink and enjoy their food while most days, I eat over a sink and scoff my food in two minutes.
6. Carry a French local newspaper. I initially didn't know why for this one. I read it somewhere and thought, 'huh?' but I think I get it. To look like a local you read the local paper. Obviously! But it's also good for sitting on when there are dirty benches or seats, sitting on it on the grass at the park, shooing away those Gypsy woman trying to get money from you, fanning yourself on hot afternoons and of course, reading (if you know the language).
7. Speak their language. They might know English but it's not their first language. It's FRENCH because you're in FRANCE. I don't understand people who immediately start talking English in non-English countries. It's like someone going up to you and they start speaking to you in Mandarin. It's kind of insulting. Even if you get it wrong, you've tried and I'm sure they appreciate the effort.
8. Enjoy those guilty pleasures. Forget low-fat-no-carbs diet. Unless you have specific medical conditions (eg. diabetes, glucose/lactose intolerance) or it's against your religion then ENJOY! Have a tray of macarons and a bottle of wine. If you're thinking twice about getting that Dior bag, then it means you should get it! You don't want to come back and when asked about the trip say, 'I should have...'
9. French people are lovely. I never had any trouble and never felt disregarded or insulted by French people. In fact, last time I went, the guy at 'le poste' (post office) was so accommodating in helping me send a parcel back home. To my surprise, it only took two days to arrive on my Australian doorstep! Yes, the French are wonderful. They are not arrogant and those that are just happen to be like the arrogant people here. We're all the same. However, it's those Italian men you have to watch out for. Ooh la la! The stories I'm getting from my friends about them... I'd rather have a French man any day!
10. Enjoy being a tourist. So maybe you're not going to completely look like a local but enjoy being where you are. Whether with friends or alone you're in France talk to people or don't. Eat yourself silly or don't. Your trip is what you make it... just take heed and understand that when in France, act like you're in France!
