Hourra, voyageur! Where is your high school French dictionary? Pack it because this November we’ll take you to France!

Most people believe that France is Paris. That when you go there you fall in love, waste money in Channel on Champs Elysees and talk about romantic revolution and politics with the local artists. The good news is that France is way much better than that and the bad news is that yes, Paris is way too much expensive.

Speak
French is definitely not easy but learning some phrases will be good for your health when in France. Local people can barely speak English, even if they understand they absolutely refuse to speak. Some of them are just afraid that they have accent (usually they do and it’s hard to dig what they mean hidden among their cute and weird French pronunciation), others simply find it hard to remember foreign words and lack vocabulary. France is one of the most powerful economies in Europe, with long colonial history, including England, so local people really do not need to know English. Do not get nervous, instead watch Paris, je t’aime
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401711/)

Snaks and Drinks
France is home of the gourmet. French cuisine is world-famous. French chefs invented the croissant and the fondue. Most restaurants usually include their tax for the service (between 15% and 20% on the total amount) so tipping is not obligatory. You can leave a few coins only if you were really happy with the service.

Now forget the fact that French is almost unpronounceable and focus on the following: you can have alcohol without showing your ID. At this point local government is really liberal and if you look 18 nobody will ask your for ID. At the same time any drugs and marijuana are strictly illegal and surely will get you in jail.

Crime and Police
Logically like in all big cities, there are places that are not recommended for tourists even for a day walk. Avoid suburbia areas and most of all areas of immigrants.

There are millions of poor immigrants in France that usually are more likely to commit crime or hurt you. This some time ago rose the discussion that the police is targeting people according to criteria of ethnicity.

Better always have your ID and legal papers with you and do not discuss politics or religion with strangers. And policemen.

Been to France recently? Want to share exiting experience? Send us an email to lessno [at] activeme [dot] com with France in the subject line or leave us a comment downwards.

“Merci beaucoup” means “Thank you” in French

Update 2008-01-28: Kalie asked for transcription. So… you should read it as [mer si - bo ku]