We'll be in Paris the last of April and on into May. We don't know what is acceptable wear for Paris during that time. Later, we will visit other areas in France, and then go to Belgium.
I've heard the French are cool to very informal wear.
What to wear
We'll be in Paris the last of April and on into May. We don't know what is acceptable wear for Paris during that time. Later, we will visit other areas in France, and then go to Belgium.
I've heard the French are cool to very informal wear.
I am tempted to answer this with one word: clothes.
There is nothing that generates more posts on the internet than asking about proper clothes for travel. My constant advice is just wear what you would wear at home. There is no reason to try and pretend you are a native. The moment you open your mouth--even if you speak French--they will know you are not French.
I have--yes, this is true--even seen French people on vacation wearing t-shirts with names on them.
There is no hard and fast rule on clothing. Depending on what and where you are going, just bring what you would be comfortable wearing at home and you will neve have to worry about "what to wear".
There are, after all, no fashion police at the airport summarily ejecting people who have clothing ruled as improper.
And please do not ask about shoes.
Packing for Paris; safety in Paris
I'm packing for Paris too. It's been a while, but we lived there once, and my husband's family is French. Unless it has changed drastically (unlikely in the case of the weather!), you should expect the weather to be mostly cold, raw, gray and wet, even in April or May. ("April in Paris" is a cruel joke.) Of course, if you are lucky, the weather will be mild, balmy and semi sunny. But take a raincoat and an umbrella and perhaps more importantly, shoes suitable for wet cobblestones. French women do a great job of tottering around on high heels and looking very sexy, but few American women can pull that off without serious suffering. It ain't worth it.
To avoid standing out as an American, plan on a neutral raincoat--black, tan, etc. If you've been eyeing those expensive Mephisto or Ecco shoes, Paris may be the place to buy them (I'm hoping, having priced them at Nordstrom's yesterday). In general, avoid brightly colored clothes--the French generally do.
Be aware that there are so-called "gypsies" (not necessarily of that ethnic group) who prey on gullible tourists by sticking a note in front of them (ususally while holding a dirty baby) and then picking their pockets during the confusion. Keep your valuables out of sight and in a non obvious place, preferably inside your coat or jacket. Simply putting a rubberband around your wallet helps, since it won't slip out of your pocket smoothly. A safety pin is even better.
Other ways Americans can make themselves more welcome are (1) avoid raising your voice when speaking to French people as if speaking to an older person who is hard of hearing--very patronizing, but for some reason Americans tend to do this (2) do attempt at least a little bit of French, but don't think it is amusing to rearrange it as a joke. "Merci beaucoup" is NOT "mercy buckets." (3) Smile sheepishly and apologize for not speaking French (assuming you don't.) This is YOUR lack of education, not the fault of the French, most of whom speak several languages including English. Keep your voice down in general, and be especially aware that loud tourists staggering drunkenly out of a nightspot anywhere in the world are easy prey for pickpockets.
You may or may not agree with the French stand on Iraq (I do) but keep in mind that they have had more experience first hand with war in their homeland than we have, so their opposition to the war is made with a greater understanding of what war is like.
Alair... thank you for a very thoughtful, helpful post. I tend to wear black, comfortable pants from Lands End, with black ECCO shoes. I think your point on why the French feel as they do about war with Iraq is a very good one.
Sandy
Yes, the Europeans wear tshirts with names on them but mostly the Brits who the French dispise. Be sensible. You don't want to look like a tourist or you may get pickpocketed a little easier. No baseball caps or dorky hats. Wear neutral colors and you won't have to pack as much. Paris is fashionable, as you would find in Manhattan or LA. Attempt to speak a little French, it goes a long way. Only if to say Bojour, parlez vous anglaise? Merci and S'il vous plait. Be an ammbassador. Good luck.
There is a myth that every French citizen will attack Americans on sight. Not true.
Chirac is not that popular, and the recent revelations about his complicity with Saddam has outraged many in France.
Our experience has been that they are mostly very lovely people with a bit of a crust put there by the truly "ugly American." Do as suggested above, a Merci here, a Bon Jour there, and lots of smiles (easy to forget that part) and "how beautifuls" (even in English), and you'll forget all the cliches about the Parisians and the French.
BTW, it's "not done" to discuss politics, local or international, in France unless invited to do so. Your opinion is really not of significant interest to them so the best thing to do with anyone other than friends is to avoid politics.
In other words, the subject of the war is not likely to come up at all.
(I heard a few condolences expressed while in the South of France in October 2001, but the emotion was temporal.)
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