I Love Paris

Now, this next series of post is not meant to be culture-centric, as it were, but the majority of us have to be aware of the stereotypes Americans have about Parisians — and the stereotypes Americans perceive that Parisians have about us.  It is vital to scrap those stereotypes — and to remember that if any Parisians do have preconceived notions about you, it is far better to prove them wrong by going in and acting friendly than it is to prove them wrong by going in with an attitude out to there and a chip the size of the Eiffel Tower sitting on your shoulder.

One stereotype a lot of Americans — and even people from different countries — seem to have is that everyone in Paris is rude.  Is this true?  Of course not!  They’re French, they are unique individuals, just like everyone else.  Are some of them rude?  Sure — just like some people in America, Mexico, China, and Australia are rude.  It happens.  Don’t let it ruin your trip or color your views.  Be nice, be polite, be yourself — it will take you far.