6 IMPORTANT BUT OVERLOOKED FRANCE TRAVEL TIPS!!

Before leaving on a trip to France, many of us do extensive research on where to stay, what things to see and do, where to eat, and that sort of thing. No matter how much a tourist prepares for France travel, though, it’s impossible to know everything you need to know for your Paris vacation. There are only so many hours in a day! But I’m here to help with some France travel tips. You probably have all the basics covered, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Here are six important but often overlooked tips for visiting France. I made all of these mistakes back in the day.
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Salut! I'm Diane, an American who has lived in France since 2012 and the creator of the blog/KZbin channel Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond." I make videos on French culture topics, France vs. US culture comparisons, with a sprinkling of food, travel, and language topics and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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[@ntakovacj3644]

"Bonjour" -- I learned in Geneva -- not only in the bakery or the restaurant. You walk into the doctor's waiting room. There are four people reading magazines. You say "Bonjour" before sitting down. What a contrast with North America. Not right or wrong but it is nice, the way you put it -- it's a way of acknowledging that we are fellow human beings.

[@OuiInFrance]

Yup, you say it everywhere! And like I always explain, you can (and many Americans do) say hello everywhere in the U.S., but the difference is you can get away with much less and it's fine

[@sooome9294]

In Germany, one says Guten Tag, even though the person walks on the other side of the road.

[@synkaan2167]

@@sooome9294😂

[@loretta7851]

I have moved from New York now I reside in Florida most of the year and people do say good morning everywhere walking on the street in the doctors office everywhere and this is America. We’re not all that rude

[@user-eg8hd6wi2d]

Bonsoir Diane..Bertrand (Brian) from Gloucester City, NJ..Just wanted to comment on your genuineness and honesty. They really shine though on all the videos. I've recommended your videos to several people. Your videos blow away all the other faux videographers doing videos on France. Looking forward to all future videos. Be well and God Bless You

[@emmanuellegd4515]

Absolutly true about the shoes.... A lot of girls think that going to Paris is all about to look chic and fashion... But they end up with painful feet... Everybody in Paris wears sneakers !!! Even if their clothes are Chanel or Dior.... So mind your feet😊

[@OuiInFrance]

It's definitely not Emily in Paris!

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

I wouldn’t quite say ”everyone” ... and people who go to work (and only walk part of the day) wear flats or heels (usually the sensible kind, but there’s always an exception here or there) ... but that’s just me nitpicking. Wearing sneakers is indeed a totally normal thing to do and not incompatible with fashion.

[@BB-nr3sm]

Also, if you are a lone woman traveler, DO NOT pull out your map of Paris outdoors, in public. More importantly, DO NOT accept the help of a friendly man who just seems helpful. I did this in the Tuileries, a man was going to show me where to go, and he suddenly stroked my arm. I turned abruptly and ran. I could have had money stolen or worse. Be on your guard.

[@_brandixx]

Love this video! The tip I’d add, for those coming from the US, is to be prepared for lots of walking up and down stairs - in Metro stations, in your hotel or Airbnb, in cultural attractions, and most importantly in restaurants when you need the toilets, which are almost always on the lower level! This isn’t a big deal to a lot of people, but if your everyday lifestyle doesn’t include a lot of walking or physical activity, when you get to FR you may find the constant walking up and down steps to be challenging and not being prepared for it may ruin your trip!

[@fuzzylon]

Very true! I was surprised how few metro stations or interchanges between lines had escalators - there really is a lot of walking up and down stairs and that gets tiring especially if you're carryiing a heavy bag too.

[@christianibarbia9380]

bonjour Diane... I am french... you are perfectly right talking about the "bonjour" as usual way to salute prior to any kind of comment, question, and so on...But did you know also that this can be replaced, for instance, in any kind of wait room , by the single word "Madame... Mesdames... Messieurs ..... Mesdames et Messieurs" ? if the persons are women or men ? this is as polite as "Bonjour" ...

[@JD987abc]

Hi Diane. Excellent update. Your hair looks amazing so your routine works despite the hard water. Great advice on weighing produce, selecting euros at atms and proper shoes too. I hope you and Tom are doing well. Gigi is thriving in her new home as am I with her. Be well…Joe DiPrimio.

[@santamanone]

I think in much of the US we’d begin a conversation with, “excuse me sir/ma’am but…” and then ask for directions or whatever.

[@TheFrandall]

I live in a tourist destination in northern Arizona, US. I have often been approached with "Can you help me?" No greeting or an "excuse me". And, I don't consider it to be impolite... desperate, yes, but impolite, no. 😂

[@LaurenLeavellFitness]

I have super curly hair and OMG the water! I brought a hard water treatment and it didn't even stand a chance!

[@jfrancobelge]

That tip about money exchange and ATM's seems to be valid worldwide. I've withdrawn cash at an ATM, with my euro bank card, in a non-euro country. I also received the same message whether I wanted to do this transaction in the other currency or, in my case, in euros. Knowing the trick, I chose the local currency and let my bank do the conversion.

[@amyspeers8012]

The veggie weighing! In my hypermarché, I weigh them. In my smaller grocery, they weigh them. When I lived in Rennes, the big hypermarché had a woman standing behind 3 scales. You would put your produce on the scale and she would do the typing and hand you the sticker.

[@jillyinthecityoffical]

Diane, I appreciate your Mixtiles on the wall behind you! I've done the same thing with my European travel pics here in Chicago. 😊

[@matthewjay660]

Bonjour Diane. It blew me away how chilly Normandy was in early June. The Invasion Beaches were downright cold to this Houstonian in early June. It was the wind coming off the Atlantic that got me

[@catherine1057]

Thanks for the tips and especially to remind me to say “BONJOUR” at all times, especially while speaking limited French. I’m going to Marseilles in a month, so looking forward to visiting a different part of France. Encore merci beaucoup beaucoup pour tous les points pour la visite d’une américaine en France et bonjour aussi de la San Diego Californie. Bonne journée à vous.🇺🇸 🌴🌤

[@OuiInFrance]

You're very welcome. Have a wonderful time in Marseille!

[@HollyWilliamsUrbach]

In the South you need to say hello first too.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

True. I'm French and lived for some time in N.C. and NV. I felt more "at home" in the South than in the West.

[@renferal5290]

I went to Florence a couple years ago, and I was really scared to try and speak to anyone, being that I did not know Italian. I do know how to say hello and thank you, but thought I would sound like a fool doing it. Not one single person would speak English to me. Since then, I have been to Paris and I somehow felt more comfortable there. I made an effort and it was amazing how kind and helpful the people were. This year, I am going back and also to Rome. I hope to do better in Italy this time.

[@branlotin]

Rome is absolutely fascinating. Florence is wonderful but has that "museum city" aspect to it, a bit like Venice whereas Rome is also a living and pulsating city. One tip I'd give you (I don't know if it's still valid mind, that was 10 years ago) is that if you haven't bought your coliseum tickets in advance, don't buy them at the Coliseum ticket office, the waiting line is awfully long. Go to the Roman forums/Palatine hill ticket office just nearby, the ticket is valid for both sites (go real early if you want to do both though, there's so much to see)

[@monicabarnett9231]

Wow, that's wild! I have a high intermediate level of Italian and couldn't get anyone in Florence to speak Italian with me... everyone was speaking English! Well, other than in the Oltrarno 🤔 I'm currently learning French and had a pretty positive experience last time I was in Suisse Romande. In bocca al lupo a Roma ☺

[@dev5963]

That is surprising since so different from my experience. I've been to Florence several times. Nearly everyone speaks English. Even in smaller tourist towns like Vincenza, Lucca, and Siena (in the tourist areas). I know only a few Italian words to be polite. Not to be a cultural chauvinist, but English is generally considered the international language of most tourists.

[@renferal5290]

@@dev5963 They would not speak it to me, and I came across a German person who had the same issue. I think because I didn't know to say Hello when going in a place or asking for help of some sort, they thought me to be rude is why. When I go back again soon, I will do better

[@renferal5290]

@@branlotin Thank you so much for the tip :)

[@russellbeach3207]

Probably the Absolute best tip so far !!

[@trulyjeannette]

These are some really great tips! Thank you for the information.

[@nikkid7631]

Thank you!! I’m going in Spring and this is so helpful! 💖

[@markbernier8434]

The hard water issue can be helped a lot if you can get some distilled or demineralized water. Use for the wash portion and then apply your conditioner. It is surprising how even a litre or two can dilute the minerals in the hard water. On the ATM issue, recently it became possible to open local bank accounts that are denominated in Euros. Load it up before leaving and when you need cash withdraw some of the Euros in your bank account no foreign exchange at all.

[@Specialk6894]

Bonjour. So appreciative of this practical and useful information that can truly help people enjoy their visit to France. Merci!

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jasmin0930]

Great video. Tips for sure one doesn’t always include in the research one does. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@debrasams2362]

Great tips. Merci.

[@jean-michelgaiffe3834]

Super. Toujours des vidéos intéressantes. Juste un tout petit détail, l'exemple des bananes... C'est un fruit qui très souvent est vendu à l'unité et non au poids. J'ai un Intermarcje à côté de chez moi et ils font des "lots". 3 ou 4 ou 5 bananes , et bien sûr un prix différents pour chaque lot 😎😋

[@sooome9294]

Bonjour, always enjoy your postings.

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks so much!

[@monicabarnett9231]

The hard water! So true! Just came back from a week in Switzerland with horrible hair and didn't figure out the issue til I left!

[@santamanone]

Try a trip to the American southwest. The alkalinity is so high it will kill your car battery.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

It depends on the regions: Brittany and the Massif Central mountains have soft water unlike other regions.

[@santamanone]

@@Alex-mp1zb much the same in the US. The Southeastern states General have soft water (particularly Mississippi) while the Southwestern states have very alkaline water.

[@dev5963]

Bonjour Diane. Another great video. The tips are practical, and I enjoy your delivery because you share personal (and sometimes embarrassing) experiences to which we can all relate. Your advice about the grocery store is wise - just watch what other people are doing. That applies everywhere. I've used the scales and often a French shopper will volunteer to help (always with a bonjour!). It may be kindness, it may be that they don't want to wait for me. Regardless, I'm always appreciative and say merci. Yes, bring a scarf - but just one. Of the many joys of shopping in France, and Paris specifically, is shopping for scarves. They make practical, lightweight souvenirs that are also very beautiful and relatively inexpensive. But go to a moderate priced department store like BHV instead of a souvenir shop.

[@Jimfrenchde]

When I was 10 or 11 I went to Chicago. The think I remembered about Chicago was the soft water. It felt very different than the hard water in Los Angeles.

[@fuzzylon]

Hi Diane, Thanks for another great video. I remember being caught out by not weighing my vegetables and holding up the line just as you described - very embarrasing. In my local Carrefour there is a third way that might catch people out. There are no scales amongst the fruit and vegatbles and the cashiers don't have scales either - there is a special weighing counter in the fruit and veg section and you have to take your purchases to be weighed by the staff there before going to the main check outs.

[@lindseyluttmer9762]

Merci Diane. I am headed to France early May and it’s good to know the weather could be all over the place!

[@branlotin]

It also depends on where you go. Climate changes a lot from north to south and east to west for such a small country, due to plenty of natural factors : mountains like the Alps, the Pyrénees, and the Massif Central, the Atlantic ocean to the west, Mediterranean sea to the south, etc.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

Paris and Northern France have a climate somewhat similar to that of Seattle or Vancouver, BC (changeable, often dull and temperate on the whole). The Atlantic coast has fairly mild and rainy winters followed by warm summers. The Mediterranean coast is very sunny with mild winters and hot summers. The Eastern part of the country is colder.

[@lindseyluttmer9762]

@@Alex-mp1zbthanks Alex appreciate the response. I live in Seattle so that makes sense. Unfortunately I am headed to Bordeaux and Provence so I’m trying to anticipate that weather in May as I have only travelled to France previously in winter.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

@@lindseyluttmer9762 In May the weather should be sunny in Provence (55 F at night, 75 F in the afternoon on average). In Bordeaux (52/72F) the weather is more changeable and you might get some rain. But I'm no soothsayer!

[@joistannertasidrealtor9334]

We are going in early May, too, and stay 6 weeks. Trying to figure out weather and plan clothing to take...we will also go to Italy so I think we will have cool to start and warmer as we get into June.

[@yaowsers77]

I'm so glad i knew about the ATM thing. My mom passed suddenly in Milan and the funeral home doesn't take cash or credit but bank to bank transfer. We had to get euros to give to someone who would then do the transfer which means taking a big amount out. Lol i did NOT take the conversion! That would have been really bad.

[@user-je4sn5jw3m]

Thank you mam 🙏💫

[@frankgyomoryjr6167]

We learned that produce thing shopping at Carrefour, we got sent back to weigh our produce. One store, Meijer, here in Michigan lets you weigh and bag your produce , so I do that sometimes to keep in practice.

[@GoGoChateau]

OMG I had that produce weighing debacle happen... totally clueless and there was a long line behind me... I was sweating bullets!

[@enriquesanchez2001]

You looked so pretty in this video, Diane ♥

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks!

[@numanuma20]

One thing I realized is in Europe, it’s not really handicap friendly. I did not see a lot of people in wheelchairs or parking for handicapped people like I do in Florida. It’s not just France, I haven’t seen it in Italy or the UK, London.

[@emmanuellegrand3229]

Bonjour ! (ˆ_ˆ) Je suggèrerais de faire une vidéo sur le TGV : je sais bien que pour des étrangers visiter Paris soit important, mais le TGV permet de voir d’autres villes toutes aussi intéressantes : le Mans (et son vieux quartier), Lille et Tours sont à moins de 2 heures, Angers, Nantes, Lyon, Bordeaux et Strasbourg à environ 2 heures, Marseille à 3 h 30. Pour finir, en ces temps de travaux à Notre-Dame (de Paris), Amiens est à 1 h 10 (mais pas en TGV…) et offre l’occasion de visiter une des plus grandes cathédrales gothiques du monde (dimensions = celles de Paris * 2) ainsi que des jardins « sur l’eau » pittoresques.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Funny thing about the supermarkets: the weighing isn't even consistent among the same chain. The Intermarché near us requires us to weigh it ourselves (in contrast to yours).

[@loreleimiller1077]

Great tips! For foreign currency, I have the Wise card and app. I’m Canadian and travel to the states often and Europe at least once a year. Wise gives you the ability to have multiple currencies. It connects to my bank account and the conversion fee is low. I can withdraw cash at ATMs and pay for purchases.

[@lollygee172]

Thanks for this comment! I was wondering if I should do this for my extended trip this fall.

[@loreleimiller1077]

@@lollygee172 Definitely worth it! There's no cost to set it up. I can convert to Euro during my trip when funds get low. I recommend using a VPN when you're on "free" wifi for any banking.

[@sanjuroardonar1814]

Definitely true for "Bonjour" in shops, restaurants, cafés or the person selling tickets at the museum, but if you address a stranger in the street to ask for directions for instance, it's probably even better to say "Excusez-moi" (ex-cu-zey m'wah : excuse me) rather than "bonjour". "Bonjour" might be percieved a bit invasive to a total stranger.

[@TheFrandall]

Say Bonjour first, then excusez moi

[@XOXO-eo5vu]

Absolutely wrong. @TheFrandall is right. What we say is both words, one after the other which goes like "Bonjour, excusez-moi de vous blabla etc."

[@sanjuroardonar1814]

@@XOXO-eo5vuWell, if it's "absolutely wrong", I've been absolutely wrong for years. And the people who gently answered me smiling must have been hiding their resentment or absolutely wrong themselves. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom.

[@ballisonfargo]

When I was in France, my group took it for granted that you can just go to a cafe or restaurant any time for a meal like you can in the USA. Definitely not the case. We ended up eating at gas stations a few times. That said, the gas station sandwiches in France are excellent!

[@jfrancobelge]

Except at a few highly touristic places, there definitely are meal schedules in France. Lunch usually between noon and 1:30 or 2:00 PM. Dinner between 7:00 and 9:00 PM. Do not expect to have dinner before 7 PM anywhere.

[@tinabraxton4906]

About ATMs also buying from stores with a bank card: It's not just in France. Always choose the local currency. Or you will get ripped off by fees for the transaction and an upcharge on the conversion.

[@carolinekofahl8867]

Hard water - I'm a Dane so it will feel like home 🤭

[@johnschiltz6440]

Thanks, Diane. Do you know why they keep stores in Paris, like Galeries Lafayette, so warm during the winter? We were there in December and even with our jackets off it was sweltering inside.

[@OuiInFrance]

No clue, but store always seem crazy hot!

[@fishandfloral]

Shoes! I just made this mistake on a trip to Hawaii. I brought a new pair of sandals and had multiple blisters on both feet after just 2 hours of wear. I had to buy plasters, another new pair of sandals and was uncomfortable the rest of the week.

[@OuiInFrance]

Aww man, I'm sorry. I've definitely been in that situation! ouch.

[@BeachyKeen-ub9rg]

👍

[@LisaMoo54]

The weighing of the produce was the first episode that befuddled me when I stayed in the Carcassonne area for a month last summer. My host took me into Carrefour and left me on my own while he went off to a cafe for coffee and a croissant. When I got to the cashier, my produce was at the bottom of the cart, so she ran everything though the cash register, and then held up a couple of the bags, saying something really fast in French. Even though she repeated herself, I still didn't get it, so I helplessly asked if anyone in the line spoke English. Luckily, someone did, so I managed to sputter out (in French) that I would pay for what she had already rung up and would go weigh the produce. The ATMs were confusing because I had been in Portugal where the trick is to decline the conversion, twice. When I put my card into the ATM in France, it just asked which currency I wanted, so I thought that choosing dollars was the same as declining the conversion. Now I see that it is the opposite. And after a month of washing hair, applying hair spray rather liberally because of the wind, and then washing again with hard water, the hair spray/calcium mixture became like concrete on my hair. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Once I got back to the States and had a hair appointment, my stylist figured it out and told me to order the product that you showed. Yup, tips one, two, and three applied directly to me!

[@zefareu]

When I was in France, I wanted to buy some sandals. I asked at a sporting goods store if they have size 46 (size 13 US), and the clerk laughed, shook his head, and just said, "Non." I learned that my feet are WAY too big to buy shoes in France LOL.

[@stevedowler2366]

Be prepared for the really small bathroom in your hotel or apartment. Don't rail or grumble at how hard it is to turn around in the shower just deal. And please don't say anything to the front desk, it won't change the size of the shower.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Are there water-softening options like reusable filters that use less plastic, or for a short trip is the plastic in the filters too much in itself?

[@OuiInFrance]

There are shower attachments that say they soften the water but I bought one and did a before/after test with test strips and it did absolutely nothing.

[@JV-pd8wg]

Hi! I’m planning to travel driving solo as a female around Europe. Loved you driving in France video. I was considering getting a cargo Thule container on top of my car. Is that common in Europe? Are car breakings common in Europe? Theft? Thank you!

[@OuiInFrance]

Thule containers are popular and you see them a lot during the vacation periods. Break ins do happen, especially in touristy areas so always make sure everything is locked up, valuables aren't left out and park in a secure lot or garage whenever possible. Enjoy your trip!

[@JV-pd8wg]

@@OuiInFrance Thank you!!!🙏

[@dominique9934]

What about buying clothes and shoes. Do they use a different measurement than we do here in the US?

[@OuiInFrance]

Both are measured differently. Shoe sizes, for example, are in the 30s and 40s. I wear a US9 and my French size is a 40.

[@SCGMLB]

Bonjour! Are home water softening systems used in France? Merci.

[@OuiInFrance]

Yup! They do exist but for areas that have such hard water, they aren't quite as popular as you'd think! They're pretty expensive to install as well and definitely not mainstream. I know of one neighbor who has one and the local plumbing that offers them says he only does a couple a year.

[@branlotin]

Individual people can buy those (adoucisseur d'eau in french) but I've honestly never seen one. Depending on the area the water can be harder, in Nice where I live tap water comes straight from the southern alps so it's really nice to drink, but it also is quite mineraly.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

Yes, they do exist but doctors advise people not to drink softened water as it has been shown that it not healthy (no minerals). WHO studies have shown that people drinking soft water have more heart problems.

[@FRanceSource]

Where would one pick up the little 'Malibu hard water' packets you mentioned? Pharmacy??

[@DeeDee-ps6pt]

I get my packets from their shop on Amazon... there's a bunch of great products from Malibu C!

[@OuiInFrance]

They're linked in the description (via Amazon) ;-)

[@Alex-mp1zb]

Just buy some hair conditioner from any French supermarket. They're usually called "après-shampooing" or "démélant".

[@britt-sen]

What do you think of the shampoos and conditioners typically found in supermarkets?

[@mlomarechal6877]

Ils sont de bonne qualité et ce n'est pas la peine de surcharger vos valises avec ce genre de produit que l'on trouve dans tous les supermarchés français. Sinon vous trouverez des shampoings anti-calcaire dans les pharmacies et parapharmacies.

[@britt-sen]

@@mlomarechal6877 D'accord merci. Je n'ai essayé qu'un seul shampooing. Je ne me souviens plus du nom mais il y avait une amande dessus. haha J'ai trouvé que c'était plutôt bien pour mon séjour. Je ne suis en France qu'une semaine à la fois.

[@rouquindunord8420]

@@britt-sen les Français ne sont pas leaders mondiaux en beauté pour rien, achetez tout sur place.

[@britt-sen]

@@rouquindunord8420 noted! 😁

[@Jimfrenchde]

excuse me. In my comment, I forgot to say Bonjour. So---Bonjour,. I remember soft water in Chicago, It was the biggest difference I notice when I visited from Los Angeles.

[@OuiInFrance]

Bonjour Jim, the difference between hard and soft water is like night and day. Thx for watching!

[@loretta7851]

I just saw a video with Jodie Foster speaking fluent French in an interview. Someone mentioned that she’s not using liaisons. I was wondering what your opinion is about this. She sounded good to me, but I’m not fluent so I wouldn’t know but French people have an accent when they speak English so I didn’t think it was such a bad thing, but it’s interesting I did not know about liaison in speech.

[@OuiInFrance]

Jodie Foster learned French as a kid/teen and went to French-speaking high school I believe so she speaks like a native. Not sure about liaisons specifically w/o seeing the clip but most of the time they come naturally

[@XOXO-eo5vu]

Liaisons have nothing to do with accent. Those are completely différent and uncomparable.

[@loretta7851]

@@XOXO-eo5vu not mentioning accent, I was speaking about proper grammar

[@couli1807]

Hi Diane, you emphasize a lot the necessity to start with "bonjour" in France but, as a French and, some would say kind of old school, I do not fully agree. To me it is perfectly ok not to say "bonjour" when you address a stranger in the street or at the supermarket. "Excusez-moi (Madame/Monsieur to sound even more polite)" seems more appropriate as a starter if you ask for directions or in which aisle a product is located. To me "bonjour" is used mainly in a familiar environment with implied proximity, for example when entering a shop where you are a regular patron, when you arrive at the office, this kind of things. I can guarantee that if you start with a loud "bonjour" with a foreign accent when entering a bar in Paris, people will look at you strangely and may even feel slightly put off: "we don't know her, why is she behaving as she belongs!?". I would even say that there are situations when "bonjour" is better being avoided because sounding too casual. Of course, this reflects individual or local patterns but to me saying "bonjour" implies a sort of pre-existing relationship or proximity with the person(s) you are addressing. Such patterns may also vary depending on whether you are in a small town or a big city. Also, by saying "bonjour" you greet/acknowledge the person(s) you are addressing, you are not saying it to be acknowledged. That's why it is more common for a shop employee to use it toward customers than the other way round. For example in a bakery, Employee: "(Bonjour) Madame...?" Your reply: "une demi-baguette s'il vous plait" is a very common and to the point exchange. And remember, past 6 or 7 pm it is preferable to use "bonsoir". Anyway it is not a bad habit to develop but I wouldn't make it mandatory, especially for foreigners. As usual, language is full of nuances and even a simple word can carry a lot of nuances and hidden social norms. I wouldn't advise using "bonjour" through and through as a foreigner, just listen and adapt. If someone greets you with it, replying with it is fine, but if someone does not greet you with it, it becomes your choice to use it or not. In a garment shop, Employee: "(Madame) je peux vous aider?" You: "Oui, (bonjour) je cherche..." Note that if you use "bonjour" in this case it might be perceived by the employee as an attempt at correcting her or him for not saying it, so it is perfectly fine not to use it! Again the notion of establishing or not some kind of proximity.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

I beg to differ. I always say "Bonjour" anytime I enter a shop, a waiting-room or pass someone I don't know on a country path or a village street. On the other hand, it is true that I say "Excusez-moi" or "Pardon, Monsieur (or) Madame" when stopping someone to ask for some information wether it's a shop employee or someone in the street.

[@celineriphitt5633]

Bonjour s'il vous plait Merci et Au revoir sont les bases de la politesse et font partie de l'éducation. Si ces mots existent c'est pour les utiliser non ?😊 Et je ne comprends pas pourquoi vous etes obligés de le dire car en Allemagne Angleterre Espagne Italie je n ai vu aucune difference avec la France. Pour l'eau dure je découvre. J'ai des cheveux lisses et brillants au naturel. Pas besoin de rajouter des huiles. Entre la politesse et l'eau dure j'ai bien rigolé. 😅

[@sophiebrownell828]

Hello I live in France and have for decades... I HIGHLY suggest you NEVER BUY YOUR FRUITS and VEGETABLES IN A SUPERMARKET!!!!! but rather AT THE LOCAL MARKET, which is usually held around a church every Saturday and sometimes also on Wednesdays... this way you are giving your money DIRECTLY INTO THE GROWERS HANDS!!! ...be careful on markets there are some retailers, so you really have to meet the people and observe in order to understand if they are the growers or just resellers like the supermarket....

[@bdwon]

But the same sort of produce purchasing inconsistency happens in the U.S. too . . . maybe you are describing standard capitalist stuff

[@shinyshinythings]

In the US you typically weigh the produce so you know how much it will cost, but you don’t have to put a price sticker on it yourself. It’s almost always weighed at the checkout stand. The only exception I can think of is buying bulk spices at co-ops and that sort of thing, where you weigh the bulk items and put the weight on the bag with a sticker or a marker. That’s west coast experience though … maybe east coast shopping is different?

[@bylokonnor]

Yet there are just as many French women as there are American women who have beautiful hair.

[@OuiInFrance]

There are parts of the US that have hard water too. It's not a France-specific problem. It's just something that if you're not used to it can catch you by surprise!

[@christianc9894]

Pas génial votre vidéo Diane, comment va t-on reconnaître les touristes US s'ils se mettent à s'habiller normalement ? Ca va nous priver d'un bon sujet de rigolade.

[@catherine1057]

Well that wasn’t very nice Christian…..

[@rouquindunord8420]

When you intend to visit France you should exercise yourself to French humour as a survival lesson. @@catherine1057

[@synkaan2167]

@@catherine1057 It was just a joke... because we'll still be able to tell apart the loud Americans 😂 No no that one was a joke as well lol we love you guys ;) (but don't forget to say "bonjour" ! 😁)

[@Alex-mp1zb]

L'hôpital qui se moque de la charité! Like if the French were paragons of good taste and fashion!

[@rouquindunord8420]

@@Alex-mp1zb and if the American tourists were educated and well mannered... Long live the dog biting its tail.....

[@UrsaBella]

one thing I know for sure is water in paris is horrid....thank God I live in the USA

[@buhomorado]

Remember: the most important thing in life is not to upset the French. If a French person disapproves of anything you do, you're a failure as a human being.

[@OuiInFrance]

lol

[@leolight5369]

Hard water #1 tip ? I mean, really ? You make it sound like your hair is a mess after washing your hair in France, which is obviously not true. This tip sounds more like a disguised product placement for hair conditioner. Btw I'd pick hard water over fluoridated water any time...

[@OuiInFrance]

I wish I was sponsored by hair conditioner companies lol

[@_brandixx]

Dumb comments like these are why Diane has to put 3 minutes of disclaimers at the beginnings of her videos.

[@leolight5369]

@@_brandixx You sound so nice... Anyhow I stand by my comment. The other tip about having proper shoes is quite self-evident anywhere you travel. I usually enjoy Diane's videos but thought this one was pretty weak.

[@shinyshinythings]

Of course it’s true. Anyone who spends more than a week here and cares about their hair figures it out right away, and it’s a much-discussed topic among newcomers, especially to Paris.

[@lepoetegribouille1532]

The most important thing => Paris IS NOT the France. Our regions are typical and each of them forms France. Choose what you are looking for .... ;)

[@user-je4sn5jw3m]

Why the French people are not satisfaction when they do the things?

[@Alex-mp1zb]

????

[@user-je4sn5jw3m]

I been living in France since 16 years. Why the French people are stingy with money?

[@Alex-mp1zb]

Can you be more specific? If you have "tips" in mind, I think it's a good thing. Everybody should get a proper salary instead of expecting tips. I think tips are demeaning. Anyway, 15% tips are included in the checks in all cafés and restaurants. Watch Diane's video on that topic: it's very interesting. Do you tip your kids' teachers or your doctor? But maybe you just think French people do not spend enough money on you?