Being Overweight and Traveling....
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:15 AM
#22
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All right, now I am an overweight female too and I am actually in Paris right now. I'm studying this semester in another city and my friend and I came here for the weekend. While I do think that the French tend to be more slender, there are so many tourists here in so many different shapes, sizes and colors that you aren't going to stick out anymore than anyone else.
I wouldn't count on being able to shop for clothing though, its difficult to find anything over a U.S. size 14 and even then that's the size my friend wears and the clothing here seems to be cut fairly small.
And the person who said that Parisiens treat everyone like dirt is pretty accurate, generally. You can get them to be a little friendlier though by at least making an effort to speak French. If you don't know any, learning to say basics like hello, good bye and "Do you speak English?) Parlez-vous Français? (Par-lay voo frahn-say) are good basics.
Besides, the French in general are horrible flirts. I never get hit on at home and I just got a marriage proposal outside Notre Dame (it still counts even though he was kind of old and creepy.) Just enjoy yourself!
Pee when you get the chance though, I can NEVER find a bathroom and there is no such thing as a free one here. Not one you would want to go into anyway. Either go to the pay toilettes which are ok, or buy a pop at McDonald's and use theirs. You have to buy something though because you need a code to get into the bathroom and its on the bottom of your receipt.
And don't forget to order dessert! It's great, and at least in the city I am going to school in, the people are religious about their desserts.
If you have any questions or anything, don't hesitate to e-mail me. I was super worried about the same thing and still kind of am.
Bonne Chance!
I wouldn't count on being able to shop for clothing though, its difficult to find anything over a U.S. size 14 and even then that's the size my friend wears and the clothing here seems to be cut fairly small.
And the person who said that Parisiens treat everyone like dirt is pretty accurate, generally. You can get them to be a little friendlier though by at least making an effort to speak French. If you don't know any, learning to say basics like hello, good bye and "Do you speak English?) Parlez-vous Français? (Par-lay voo frahn-say) are good basics.
Besides, the French in general are horrible flirts. I never get hit on at home and I just got a marriage proposal outside Notre Dame (it still counts even though he was kind of old and creepy.) Just enjoy yourself!
Pee when you get the chance though, I can NEVER find a bathroom and there is no such thing as a free one here. Not one you would want to go into anyway. Either go to the pay toilettes which are ok, or buy a pop at McDonald's and use theirs. You have to buy something though because you need a code to get into the bathroom and its on the bottom of your receipt.
And don't forget to order dessert! It's great, and at least in the city I am going to school in, the people are religious about their desserts.
If you have any questions or anything, don't hesitate to e-mail me. I was super worried about the same thing and still kind of am.
Bonne Chance!
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:29 AM
#25
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One more note about walking in Paris. This is one I haven't seen discussed here...maybe it's silly!
I have a regular pedicure about once a month, more frequent in summer. But before a big fall or winter trip, I start having a ped weekly. It's part of "getting in shape" for me. Maybe it's just me, but my feet are the first thing to go. Frequent peds make them soft and comfortable for the beating they take in Paris.
I have a regular pedicure about once a month, more frequent in summer. But before a big fall or winter trip, I start having a ped weekly. It's part of "getting in shape" for me. Maybe it's just me, but my feet are the first thing to go. Frequent peds make them soft and comfortable for the beating they take in Paris.
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:33 AM
#26
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Scarlett, Katis:
Katis made me laugh even harder at the thought of wandering around Paris asking them: "Parlez-vous Francais?"!
Reminds me of my friend who, upon entering the patisserie each morning, would say "Je suis un croissant!". Only on the plane home did she realize she had been saying she IS a pastry rather than she WOULD LIKE a pastry!
Katis made me laugh even harder at the thought of wandering around Paris asking them: "Parlez-vous Francais?"!
Reminds me of my friend who, upon entering the patisserie each morning, would say "Je suis un croissant!". Only on the plane home did she realize she had been saying she IS a pastry rather than she WOULD LIKE a pastry!
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:33 AM
#27
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Your only concern while on travel should be your own enjoyment, comfort and safety. After all, there is little that any of us can do when it comes to what others really think of us, so why worry? That said, and going back to the comfort issue, I'll bite the bullet and advise you to lose some weight for your health and comfort. Airline seats are uncomfortable for the average weight; can be torture for you and you seatmate. Not knowing how you look like, there is no way to say whether you will stand out in Paris. I doubt you will stand out for being overweight, so go to Paris and have the time of your life.
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:48 AM
#28
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LOL, imagine your friend saying <i> "Je suis un croissant!"</i> to some old French flirt LOL
Now I am laughing harder...this has gotten to be a pretty cheerful thread ( at least for me today) haha~
Now I am laughing harder...this has gotten to be a pretty cheerful thread ( at least for me today) haha~
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:49 AM
#29
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JeanneB: While I haven't asked anyone if they speak French yet, I'm sure the other incomprehensible French I'm spoken has been just as ridiculous!
And Scarlett...just you wait! Stay here long enough and you'll probably get one.
And about croissants...DEFINITELY get some, and some baguettes, and pain du chocolat, tartes des pommes and other yummy pastries. Diet all you want before you come but don't deprive yourself of the amazing pastries here. They are to die for.
Oh, and something cool I did today that I don't know if is in any book. Outside of Notre Dame, the front, there are all these bushes with fences around them and there are these little birds; finches maybe that sit there. If you get some bread, croissant or baguette (which are really quite cheap), and hold the bread in your fingers the birds will come and sit on your hand and eat it. At least they were doing that today, it was really cool. There was a woman that gave my friend and I some bird seed and I managed to coax a pidgeon into sitting in my hand for like 2 full minutes eating the seeds.
And look for street performers! Some of the most fun I've had so far has been watching mimes, clowns, and even some guys doing some amazing roller blading.
And Scarlett...just you wait! Stay here long enough and you'll probably get one.
And about croissants...DEFINITELY get some, and some baguettes, and pain du chocolat, tartes des pommes and other yummy pastries. Diet all you want before you come but don't deprive yourself of the amazing pastries here. They are to die for.
Oh, and something cool I did today that I don't know if is in any book. Outside of Notre Dame, the front, there are all these bushes with fences around them and there are these little birds; finches maybe that sit there. If you get some bread, croissant or baguette (which are really quite cheap), and hold the bread in your fingers the birds will come and sit on your hand and eat it. At least they were doing that today, it was really cool. There was a woman that gave my friend and I some bird seed and I managed to coax a pidgeon into sitting in my hand for like 2 full minutes eating the seeds.
And look for street performers! Some of the most fun I've had so far has been watching mimes, clowns, and even some guys doing some amazing roller blading.
Oct 30th, 2005, 10:53 AM
#30
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The mimes on the bridge to the Ille St-Louis were amazing !
I love the little birds, although I never got to feed any...I think that is a very good reason to hurry back to Paris
Katis, lucky you
I love the little birds, although I never got to feed any...I think that is a very good reason to hurry back to Paris
Katis, lucky you
Oct 30th, 2005, 11:03 AM
#31
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Don't worry about it. Have fun.
A problem that some people have is that the way they dress calls attention to their weight. Being clean and dressed properly overcomes a lot of weight appearance.
I agree with the other statements about starting a walking program. I always do it before a trip.
A problem that some people have is that the way they dress calls attention to their weight. Being clean and dressed properly overcomes a lot of weight appearance.
I agree with the other statements about starting a walking program. I always do it before a trip.
Oct 30th, 2005, 11:09 AM
#32
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OP are you obese or just plump? Pretty and fat or pretty fat? If you are obese you might as well try and get in shape now for the rest of your life - my aunties are obese and huff and puff all over the place. I am somewhat worried that I will end up like them so I watch what I eat and exercise as a preventative.
In France you will be very happy if you can move around and eat some rich foods without collasping.
In France you will be very happy if you can move around and eat some rich foods without collasping.
Oct 30th, 2005, 01:19 PM
#34
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Scarlett, Katis:
This thread is cracking me up. Here's another one.
I went to Paris with my childhood girlfriend. She studied French in HS and college. I did a recorded course before the trip. We had a great time from the moment we landed. She was so happy and kept saying "Je suis tres jolie!". LOL! I waited 4 days before I told her she was saying "I am very pretty!".
This thread is cracking me up. Here's another one.
I went to Paris with my childhood girlfriend. She studied French in HS and college. I did a recorded course before the trip. We had a great time from the moment we landed. She was so happy and kept saying "Je suis tres jolie!". LOL! I waited 4 days before I told her she was saying "I am very pretty!".
Oct 30th, 2005, 02:07 PM
#35
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PFG-
I was in Rome last Fall and swore the women were so thin that they HAD to have hip and rib bones removed! Did I feel a little out of place? Yes, I always do, but frankly I didn't care. I was in Roma, and drank it all in.
Each day I must have covered 5+miles and actually lost weight even though I still enjoyed the delish food and snacks. I wish I could say the 5+ miles a day spurred me to exercising once I returned stateside - alas, it did not. It was certainly invigorating though and felt so darn healthy to be moving about so much.
Go to Paris. Enjoy yourself!
I was in Rome last Fall and swore the women were so thin that they HAD to have hip and rib bones removed! Did I feel a little out of place? Yes, I always do, but frankly I didn't care. I was in Roma, and drank it all in.
Each day I must have covered 5+miles and actually lost weight even though I still enjoyed the delish food and snacks. I wish I could say the 5+ miles a day spurred me to exercising once I returned stateside - alas, it did not. It was certainly invigorating though and felt so darn healthy to be moving about so much.
Go to Paris. Enjoy yourself!
Oct 30th, 2005, 02:18 PM
#36
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Omigod, Jeanne, stop! I am laughing my head off and trying to read these to the Yankee..
Now who did you know that walked around Paris exclaiming, I am a pretty pastry?
Je suis tres jolie crossiant~ LOL
Now who did you know that walked around Paris exclaiming, I am a pretty pastry?
Je suis tres jolie crossiant~ LOL
Oct 30th, 2005, 02:24 PM
#37
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Peeky, have you not heard of the basic rule: "never tell people negative things they already know - it won't change their behavior but it will change how they feel about you." Everyone else managed to resist the impulse to lecture and admonish -- they either didn't post, or got into the spirit of enjoying travel (which, I assume is the Fodor First Principle).
Prettyfatgirl, however, you need to understand what a red flag this topic is on Fodors. It seems you are very new (or else your personna is new here), but you are lucky that peeky's comment is the worst you've been treated to. This post is classic flame-bait, and it's to the credit of the other posters that they've managed to make the whole discussion "tres drole"!
Prettyfatgirl, however, you need to understand what a red flag this topic is on Fodors. It seems you are very new (or else your personna is new here), but you are lucky that peeky's comment is the worst you've been treated to. This post is classic flame-bait, and it's to the credit of the other posters that they've managed to make the whole discussion "tres drole"!
Oct 30th, 2005, 02:33 PM
#38
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Scarlett: LOL! I'm still laughing at asking them if they speak French!
This same lady provided me with one of the biggest laughs I've ever had while we were touring the Louvre. She went off to find a toilette and I walked on. It was pretty crowded, but she finally signalled me thru the crowd that she was behind me.
We browsed for another 15 minutes or so before I turned to say something to her. Oddly, I noted her jeans were rolled up....and I mean rolled up to the KNEE! I calmly asked, "Is that the new style or something?". Oh my! She slapped both hands to her face (think McCauley Culkin in "Home Alone"
. Eeeeeek! The floors had been wet in the loo, so she rolled up her jeans. Ha! She went behind a statue to roll them down, muttering "In the LOUVRE, of all places!". Then she lost her balance and put out her hand to steady herself...and a guard started blowing a whistle and screaming "NON! NON, Madame!". LOLLOLOLOLOL! She was about to touch the statue!
I was melting by that point.
This same lady provided me with one of the biggest laughs I've ever had while we were touring the Louvre. She went off to find a toilette and I walked on. It was pretty crowded, but she finally signalled me thru the crowd that she was behind me.
We browsed for another 15 minutes or so before I turned to say something to her. Oddly, I noted her jeans were rolled up....and I mean rolled up to the KNEE! I calmly asked, "Is that the new style or something?". Oh my! She slapped both hands to her face (think McCauley Culkin in "Home Alone"
. Eeeeeek! The floors had been wet in the loo, so she rolled up her jeans. Ha! She went behind a statue to roll them down, muttering "In the LOUVRE, of all places!". Then she lost her balance and put out her hand to steady herself...and a guard started blowing a whistle and screaming "NON! NON, Madame!". LOLLOLOLOLOL! She was about to touch the statue! I was melting by that point.
Oct 30th, 2005, 02:53 PM
#40
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cfk, you are right on. Auntie LuAnn went to Europe and puffed and huffed - she should have gotten in shape first. She came home all mad that her friend wouldn't wait for her and walked ahead. I assume the pretty fate girl knows this. How do you say pudgy in French?
