Do Your Research

Obviously, I have been doing a lot of research and so should you.  Your research should start when you start "thinking" about taking a trip out of the country.  Research what country, or countries, you want to see, the price of airfare and the price of lodging.  After you've done all that, research some more.

However, this time your research should focus on the niceties of the people you will visit.  Since Betty and I will only be visiting Paris and possibly the surrounding area, that is where I have focused my research.

To start with, Parisians have a reputation for being rude.  However, according to my research, Parisians actually place strong emphasis on good manners.  For someone visiting as a "tourist" this would be where the reputation of being an "Ugly American" comes in.  In my opinion, a tourist cares nothing about experiencing the culture of another country.  The just want to visit the "must see" sights, snap a picture or two and complain about how "nothing is like it is in America".  Well, duh.  To paraphrase Dorothy, "You're not in Kansas anymore, Toto."

Consider this a moment, Americans in general, get upset when they walk into a store or hop in a taxi and find the person working there doesn't even try to speak English.   Other countries are the same way, a traveler will make an attempt to learn basic words of the people they are visiting.  Hello, goodbye, thank you, please, pardon me and so on.  To a Parisian, it is extremely rude to walk into a shop and not say Hello.  If you don't greet them, you will most likely be met with rudeness.  So, their reputation of being rude is only a reflection of our rudeness to them.

That is just one example of how research can be a benefit in preparing yourself for a trip to another country.  Another example is how Parisians approach their meals when dining out. Forget the noisy hurry-up-and-eat restaurant atmosphere we're used to in the States.  Parisians typically spend two hours or more when eating out.  Waitstaff will not stop by your table numerous time to ask, "is everything okay?" and they won't bring you the check until you ask for it.  Here in the States we would consider this poor service but in France it is considered ill mannered to interrupt you while you enjoy a quiet meal.  And at cafes and bistros you should expect to pay more to sit outside, that is prime real estate in the restaurant biz.  Also, once you sit down that table is considered yours until you ask for the check, pay your tab and leave.  So, you could actually claim a table for lunch, watch Paris stroll past, then have dinner at the same place several hours later.  That is, as long as you don't ask for your check.

Research is important, with the internet it is extremely easy to learn the habits and customs of different people.  I intend to learn all I can about Paris, not so I can plan every minute of every day but so I can learn about the people I will be visiting and hopefully, make my visit more enjoyable not only for me but for them as well.