Tourists
are an interesting breed – they are all looking to do the same thing and all
trying to avoid each other while doing it. And every single one of them is searching for the ‘Holy
Grail‘ – the non-touristy spot where all the locals go for genuine food /
drink.
The
following are phrases I’d imagine the manager of every single hotel in
Paris might hear on a daily basis:
“Is
there a local spot around here?”
”Can you recommend a non-touristy bistro.”
”Oh
we don’t want to eat there, its right by the museums. It’ll be chocked with tourists. Do you know anywhere else?”
After
spending nearly a week in Paris I have finally figured out where most Parisians
go to hang out: Starbucks.
Mena
and I have had to go in Starbucks several times in Paris. It’s not for the coffee. As most New Yorkers know Starbucks
represents two things:
- Free WiFi
- Relatively clean bathrooms
But every time we go into a Starbucks for Wifi or a bathroom I’ve never seen
another American. I mean, I guess
it makes sense. While American’s
desperately search for places the French congregate, the French seem to want to
avoid tourists at all costs.
Starbucks
is a spot most American’s would avoid and thusly most Parisians seem drawn to
it.
Counter
intuitive, and obviously not an empirical study here, but just something I’ve
noticed.
:)
2. Despite my
best efforts to appear to be a European the locals always know I’m an American.
In
an attempt to show the merchant that I respect their culture and I’m at least trying to speak their language I always
try to begin the conversation in French.
“Bonjour
monsieur, un croissant s'il vous plaît.”
The
merchant, knowing that I am an American and also knowing the transaction will
be over sooner if he / she speaks English (as opposed to watching me stumble
and stutter over basic French) replies in English. “The croissant will cost seventy Euros.”
“Merci
beaucoup.”
“You
are welcome.”
We
both end up speaking each other’s language.
Hey
at least I am trying…
:)
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