A controversial topic here, which sometimes degenerates to essentially some people being called "sloppy" and others being called "snobby" <BR>Anyway, this is the url for an article on the bonjour paris website which gives <BR>a Paris expert's opinion on what most Parisians wear and what the author thinks those visitors who care about this topic MIGHT want to avoid wearing <BR>It might make a good referral for people who ask about this topic but again, it is simply another opinion, not gospel or law <BR>www.bparis.com/newsletter1464/ <BR>newsletter_show.htm?doc_id=7068 <BR> <BR>

Hi Elaine, I could not pass up a Paris fashion thread! I really like the web site.... tres interesting. I will bookmark that site. Thanks, Judy <BR> Ps. I agree the article especially the part about "looking down". ;-)

Really interesting article. Thanks, Elaine. This fits in with another recent thread "Have you ever been mistaken for a native."

Oops. I goofed on the thread title. It actually is "Mistaken for a native?"

Notice that this article was written 2 years ago. Honestly, I haven't seen any tourists wearing track suits in Europe lately.

the heading on the article does say <BR>"updated Feb 2001" although I don't think the basic issues have changed much

That article was the very essence of fawning sycophancy. It's one thing to enjoy visiting France and interacting with its people, but the author would have us grovel at the feet of the super-race known as Parisians. <BR> <BR>Not only must I wear only black clothing, but I must "lower [my] voice to a near whisper" (!!!), lest anyone hear my American accent. I will be mistaken for a cow if I chew gum. My wife should wear high heels with her jeans (now THERE'S an indication of exquisite fashion taste!). And, of course, we will notice how all Parisian women "accessorize their outfits with such aplomb that most Americans cannot believe their talent." Excuse me while I gag! <BR> <BR>Anyone who follows the advice of that article will have to cast off every shred of their self-respect on arrival at the airport. You'll probably be a nervous wreck worrying about being snickered at because your Hermes scarf isn't tied exactly right. And of course you should take up smoking to better fit in. <BR> <BR>News flash guys and gals: You're a tourist! Everyone you talk to will instantly know you're a foreigner unless your "near whisper" is totally inaudible. Just relax and enjoy your visit without all this slavish obsession about being mistaken for a Parisian. By all means LOOK UP if you want to see the sights (but stand still while you're doing it). <BR> <BR>I would be fascinated to see what advice French people give each other about how to "fit in" in New York City. How about this: <BR> <BR>- All New Yorkers talk loudly, and run words together. You should say "fuggedaboudit" as frequently as possible and get in a rudeness contest with the couter guy at the deli. <BR> <BR>- All New Yorkers own lots of baseball caps, which they always wear backwards. You must do likewise. <BR> <BR>- All New Yorkers chew gum because they just quit smoking. You will look very out-of-place if you don't constantly chew a couple sticks at a time. <BR>

Martin <BR>Bravo! I couldn't have said it better myself. It is absurd how much energy is given to trying to look and act like a European. Please. I cannot believe that people who smoke filthy cigerettes and eat with their dogs get to criticize what people wear. I would much rather sit next to someone at a posh restaurant with a New York Yankt-shirt, jeans and a silver belt buckle than to someone blowing noxious fumes petting a filthy dog.

I don't think the word <BR>"must" appears anywhere in that article, and the first paragraph does contain <BR>the disclaimers "partial" and "subjective". The other paragraphs include modifiers like "generally", "most", "frequently",and "often" and "please". I didn't see the word "all" (as in, "all Parisians") used but perhaps I missed it. <BR>As I started off saying, this topic often degenerates to silly extremes of opinion and personal indignation, and yet SOME people do ask about this topic and they MIGHT be interested in another source of suggestions or opinions regarding this issue, in addition to opinions on this forum and elsewhere, which they are free to follow, modify to their own tastes, or completely ignore. Listening to (NOT obeying, just listening) other people's opinons I've been told can be part of civilized debate and I don't think being aware of, or even, heaven help us, accepting some small part of someone else's opinion or culture is the same thing as "fawning". <BR> <BR>No one is suggesting that visitors do or should aim for being mistaken for a local, in this case a Parisian, although a recent thread here on that topic <BR>showed that OCCASIONALLY some tourists are SOMETIMES mistaken for being locals while traveling and SOME also KINDA like it, although it probably isn't their main travel goal. <BR> <BR>By the way, I don't think that most Parisians associate all New Yorkers with <BR>wearing baseball caps unless they visit us every October when it is against the law not to wear one. All through the rest of the year it is also absolutely against the law not to be rude to the deli guys--that's our secret way of seeing who the out-of-towners are. <BR>sheesh. <BR>

Elaine - <BR>Yeah; I know I was exaggerating, but that article was WAY off in francophile la-la land. I generally like French people, but I don't want to BE one. <BR> <BR>And I think there is far more diversity among the French than the author suggests. I'll bet a lot of Parisians get mutually rude with their deli guys too. ;-)

I have been searching high and low for a good handbag to carry on my trip to Paris. I have not found one. Here, at home, in NEW YORK CITY, I always carry a backpack style bag. I have carried one since my first child was born 15 years ago and I needed my hands free. Now is is tres chic in NY, and, according to my doctor, tres healthful to distribute the weight evenly across my back and 2 shoulders. I need to be able to carry map, guidebook or 2, umbrella plus the usual contents of a purse. So, can I have your dispensation to carry a backpack in Paris? I promise it will be black...with a blue ribbon.

Actually, Lynn, your backpack should NOT be black. As per "tres chic" New York style, go for the bright "bike courier" colours favored by Manhattan Portage, Dickies, Spire, and others on the hip handbag scene. <BR> <BR>Complicated, isn't it? <BR> <BR>&lt;&lt;wink&gt;&gt;