Paris is PLUperfect

By Susan RoAne, The Mingling Maven®

Planning to go to Paris? IF not, you may want to consider adding it to your TO DO and TO GO lists. Paris is a wondrous city, an historical treasure and the center of art, literature, food and fashion. It is sophisticated in 'techie' ways as well as the 'capital of cosmopolitan'. My recent trip to Paris was illuminating, as one would expect from the City of Light. Being able to 'work' this enchanting city is enhanced by knowing a few things before you go.

For those of us who remember the De Gaulle Days? and the pro France, anti American mentality, you will be pleasantly surprised. The people of Paris were warm, open and friendly and very helpful. My first experience, MANY years ago was quite the opposite and I spoke a marginal French. The 'margins' were greatly reduced over time but I studied phrases and grammar and tried to converse. And people responded positively.

Lucky for me I was with two friends who live there 3 months a year and I learned a lot from them. Sherris Goodwin is the executive director of San Francisco's Hospitality Institute and Marc Kauffman is a wine importer and connoisseur and is the Restaurant Radar ? expert.

You can go to www.bparis.com for Restaurant Radar's reviews on three of the fine restaurants we enjoyed.

How to "work" Paree? Some tips that Sherris and Marc shared which helped make my visit so memorable, lovely and happy.

• Learn the pleasantries--- in French. Parisians walk into shops, restaurants, offices and the first thing they say is "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir". Good day or Good evening.
• S'il Vous Plait is the next phrase…. 'if you please' or would you please. And remember 'merci' for thank you.

Often we Americans walk in and just make our requests and that is not considered as gracious by the French.

• Meals have the tips included. However, at the upscale restaurants of wonderful service an additional tip in francs is appreciated. I found that I still left some francs for service at bistros, cafes and brasseries.
• (And I have been well-trained by the latte makers of America and their tip jars).
• City buses are a great way to travel. The windows are big so that you can see the sites better.
• Taxis at hotels or on the street start their meters when you enter the cab. IF you call a taxi, they start the meter from whence they came. My cab to the airport already had 45 Francs on it! Tips are appreciated.
• Phones do not take change. Most of the public phones require a phone card. You can buy one at the Tabac shop at the airport. Be sure to get the kind that reads the amount off the magnetic strip….not the type you need to punch in numbers. A phone card will run 50 Francs.
• Cybercafes are plentiful and a bargain. Only schlep your laptop if you are writing the Great American Novel in Paris or need all your company's data with you. 30 minutes in a Cybercafe cost me 30 Francs (about $4.50).
• Parisians eat dinner late. Restaurants open at 8pm. And they linger over dinner with wine and conversation. It must work… I saw no overweight Parisians. The food is lighter, less sauces and fresher ingredients.
• There is no coffee-to-go in Paris. Parisians drink their coffee in cafes… sitting, facing the people…. Watching them go by. However, if you STAND at the bar, it costs less. That is why you may see people standing having their coffee AT the café.
• Paris is a walking city so bring a good pair of very comfortable shoes. It may be the secret to the slimness of the Parisians.
• The People of Paris smoke everywhere. If non-smoking is a must, visit San Francisco instead.
• Rue de Rivoli is the perfect souvenir enclave. It is near the Louvre. Be sure to buy one of each souvenir for yourself as well as you may not want to part with them all.
• BEST Book: The Top Ten of Paris. You will find the best of walks, restaurants, hotels, parks, museums, etc and can pick.
• Parisians love their dogs and bring them to restaurants. This was a bit of a shock but I found that this applied mostly to the smaller dogs.
• ATMs offer the best exchange rate and are so easy to use.
• Bring a raincoat and umbrella and it may not rain. Coming prepared ensured beautiful weather.
• The dollar is very strong so this may be the time to buy the memorable treasure.

The sites of Paris are bountiful. From Le Tour Eiffel to The Arc De Triomphe, La Lourve, Le Palais Royale, The Marais district, Le Jardin de Luxembourg, Notre Dame (yes, there is a Café De Quasimoto nearby), Musee D'Orsay, Musee Marmatton Monet and Musee Rodin…. And so much more.

Walks along the SEINE (both Rive Gauche and Rive Droit) are lovely as are those along the Rue De St. Honore or the Champs Elysees and just about anywhere in the City of Light.

April in Paris??? Anyday in Paris is PLUperfect.