What kind of bag to carry in Paris to "fit in"?
Dec 15th, 2003, 09:54 AM
#43
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Well, I don;t want to be left out.
Vapid is fun. Or is that rapid?
At any rate my wife bought a nice "bag" in France. But there is no way a bag alone is going to make native French people think she is anything but American. She needs only to approach a sales clerk and the usual reaction is to start speaking English is the person knows some.
The French handbag makes her look about as French as a feathered headdress would make me look like my ancestors were Sioux or Apaches.
Vapid is fun. Or is that rapid?
At any rate my wife bought a nice "bag" in France. But there is no way a bag alone is going to make native French people think she is anything but American. She needs only to approach a sales clerk and the usual reaction is to start speaking English is the person knows some.
The French handbag makes her look about as French as a feathered headdress would make me look like my ancestors were Sioux or Apaches.
Dec 15th, 2003, 11:52 AM
#46
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I was just working out the same problem missypie. I have no kids coming with me, but there are travel umbrellas, tour books, maps and all Degas' pages of walks (a book in itself). I'd carried my Coach hobo in London and after a day or so my shoulder was terribly sore, so I knew I had to make changes for this trip.
We've just come back from hiking in Sedona and the Grand Canyon and I loved my hands free backpacking. The distribution of weight made a moderately heavy load a snap to carry all day with no soreness. Now that REI NorthFace backpack probably isn't the right style for Paris, so I just bought a Prada microfiber backpack. Eyed them in the store, couldn't bring myself to pay $575 and bought one through EBay at 1/5th the cost (plus there was no tax). If it is a knock-off, I sure can't tell--it is identical down to the name stamped on all the buckles and gromets, the Prada lining, logos and placement of them, cards of authenticity, dust bag and "plastic" protective shipping bag...with their bar code and sku #. We leave in a week and I'm ready to hit the streets, hopefully looking a bit better than the average pack mule.
I liked the idea of buying something there, but wanted to be ready from the get-go....and, I rule <i>nothing</i> out in the future...
I was just working out the same problem missypie. I have no kids coming with me, but there are travel umbrellas, tour books, maps and all Degas' pages of walks (a book in itself). I'd carried my Coach hobo in London and after a day or so my shoulder was terribly sore, so I knew I had to make changes for this trip.
We've just come back from hiking in Sedona and the Grand Canyon and I loved my hands free backpacking. The distribution of weight made a moderately heavy load a snap to carry all day with no soreness. Now that REI NorthFace backpack probably isn't the right style for Paris, so I just bought a Prada microfiber backpack. Eyed them in the store, couldn't bring myself to pay $575 and bought one through EBay at 1/5th the cost (plus there was no tax). If it is a knock-off, I sure can't tell--it is identical down to the name stamped on all the buckles and gromets, the Prada lining, logos and placement of them, cards of authenticity, dust bag and "plastic" protective shipping bag...with their bar code and sku #. We leave in a week and I'm ready to hit the streets, hopefully looking a bit better than the average pack mule.
I liked the idea of buying something there, but wanted to be ready from the get-go....and, I rule <i>nothing</i> out in the future...
Dec 15th, 2003, 04:43 PM
#48
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Just got back from Paris. All the younger women were carry huge (HUGE) rectangular black (BLACK) bags slung across their bodies on shoulder straps. They looked like you could put the kitchen sink in them.
You would look very touristy with a fanny pack, but if you have one and want to use it, you ARE a tourist so why not look like one?!
If you are taking children, you will fit right in. The French take their children everyplace and the kids are remarkably well behaved. Your kids will be a great conversation piece and people will fall all over themselves trying to help you with them. The French love children! We've always been impressed with how polite French children are. Get your kids some clothes there. French kids clothes are really cute.
Don't worry about what you look like. Just enjoy yourself. You'll have a wonderful time. Paris is great.
You would look very touristy with a fanny pack, but if you have one and want to use it, you ARE a tourist so why not look like one?!
If you are taking children, you will fit right in. The French take their children everyplace and the kids are remarkably well behaved. Your kids will be a great conversation piece and people will fall all over themselves trying to help you with them. The French love children! We've always been impressed with how polite French children are. Get your kids some clothes there. French kids clothes are really cute.
Don't worry about what you look like. Just enjoy yourself. You'll have a wonderful time. Paris is great.
Dec 15th, 2003, 04:46 PM
#49
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Oops, you asked about messenger bags. We still saw a few, but mostly on men. The gals seemed to use black monster rectangular shoulder bags slung across their body.
I think a messenger bag would look better than a fanny pack. Didn't see those on anyone except tourists and those mostly senior citizens. (I'm a senior so that's not an insult; it's an age range.)
I think a messenger bag would look better than a fanny pack. Didn't see those on anyone except tourists and those mostly senior citizens. (I'm a senior so that's not an insult; it's an age range.)
Dec 16th, 2003, 03:40 AM
#50
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Anything will work as long as you carry a little lap dog in it. (sorry couldn't resist-surprised no one else said it first).
For the record I use a black nylon bag that goes across the body with a very loud (to hear the pickpockets don't you know) velcro flap on it and several pockets on the inside. And always place the main flap towards the body. I like having the strap across the body that way I don't absent mindedly put my bag down while looking at something and walk away (and I can always keep an eye on it)
For the record I use a black nylon bag that goes across the body with a very loud (to hear the pickpockets don't you know) velcro flap on it and several pockets on the inside. And always place the main flap towards the body. I like having the strap across the body that way I don't absent mindedly put my bag down while looking at something and walk away (and I can always keep an eye on it)
Dec 16th, 2003, 06:27 AM
#51
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Boy, a few of you got mean there. "Vapid?" Guess I'd better touch up my blonde dye job tonight. This is normally a pretty civil board.
I know we won't look or sound or act French...but wouldn't it be nice to not look like GLARING STEREOTYPICAL AMERICAN TOURISTS? We were in Victoria, BC this summer and encountered a number of Japanese tourists...one particular group acted like such stereotypical "Japanese tourists" it was as if they were from a politically insensitive movie. I'm just trying not to look like the Griswolds visiting Paris.
I know we won't look or sound or act French...but wouldn't it be nice to not look like GLARING STEREOTYPICAL AMERICAN TOURISTS? We were in Victoria, BC this summer and encountered a number of Japanese tourists...one particular group acted like such stereotypical "Japanese tourists" it was as if they were from a politically insensitive movie. I'm just trying not to look like the Griswolds visiting Paris.
Dec 16th, 2003, 08:54 AM
#53
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I don't think most men realize all the considerations to buying a purse. So it would seem a "vapid" subject. Personally, I prefer a small bag that straps across my chest, it stays close to my body and is big enough to carry a small camera, a few coins and a map and the smallest list of phrases I may need. I then stuff everything else into my husband's jacket, one piece at a time. The usual procedure is, "honey, do you think you could hang on to this for me?" and then repeat as necessary.
It seems that the moment I say this everyone in earshot knows I am not a local but it's probably a universal request.
It seems that the moment I say this everyone in earshot knows I am not a local but it's probably a universal request.
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