How Not to be the Annoying American Tourist in Paris
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, full of chic locals living their best lives. Being a tourist in Paris is fun, I am a tourist nearly every single year! It doesn’t mean you want to stick out like a sore (foreign) thumb! Here are a few ways you can combat the tacky tourist moniker North Americans are often labeled with.
Here are easy tips for preventing you from being an annoyance to the French, as well as fellow Americans, while visiting Paris.
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Tip #1: Reduce the volume of your voice by 50%.
We don't realize how much louder we speak than other cultures. I first experienced this phenomenon while working in Switzerland. I had a girlfriend who worked at the same company as I, who was also American. We would go to lunch together and have a wonderful time.
But we soon realized that you could hear our voices way above anyone else's. Our normal speaking voice is much louder than other cultures, like the French, which is a little more discreet. So when you are in restaurants or visiting tourist attractions, like churches, think about lowering your voice out of respect for others.
Tip#2 Reduce what you say by 50%.
We like to talk. We get excited and we like to share. But we sometimes forget that we share our space with others. And when we are speaking loudly (see tip#1) we can take over that space without realizing the sheer quantity of what we are saying.
When visiting monuments or museums be conscientious of the people around you and how they get to enjoy the view or the photo or the piece of artwork. Some people like to quietly reflect or stand still to take a photo and can be bothered by a constant stream of dialogue.
Tip#3 You can not “have it your way” when it comes to food.
The Burger King motto does not fly outside of the U.S. Having traveled and eaten in both Asia and Europe, I can tell you, there is no customization when it comes to food. So don't bring that American mentality to the table in France, or anywhere else. Eat the food on the menu as it is prepared, or don't order it.
There is no “mayo on the side;” or “I want fries instead of rice” options. Respect how the food is prepared and served. If you have food allergies or other restrictions, try to do some planning ahead of time, although I can tell you are going to have a rough time, especially in France.
Bonus tip:
Say “bonjour” to the room when you enter a shop, restaurant, or bar, or before you start any conversation. Even if no one acknowledges you, it will be heard and appreciated. French people consider it very rude to start talking to them without greeting them.
So if you enter a store and directly start shopping, and then ask for a size, etc. you will find you will have a much easier time if you enter the store, say “bonjour” (or Bonsoir if it is the evening) and then ask for help.
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None of these tips are meant to offend Americans. I could certainly come up with three tips for French people visiting America! It is more of an exercise in being a global citizen. When you are traveling outside of your own country remember to be cognizant of other people's cultures and social norms, it shows that you are respectful of your surroundings and that you are a conscientious person.
How about you? Do you have any additional tips? Do share!
AUTHOR BIO
Andi Fisher
I am married to a French man, lived in France for 3 years, and have been to Paris more than 50 times. I am always a tourist so the information, tip, and tricks I share are created to help you!
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Tips
- Flights
- Look for fares using sites like Skyscanner or Expedia.com.
- For France (Paris) coming from the West Coast, I typically fly Air France or United. From the East Coast, I typically fly Air France or Delta.
- If you travel frequently, consider investing in a Priority Pass for airport lounge access. Not only will you have a spot to relax before your flight and charge your devices, but you can eat and drink for free (without paying crazy airport prices!)
- Accommodation
- I use Expedia.com, Booking.com, and Hotels.com to find lodging. Always check the reviews on TripAdvisor before booking!
- If you want to stay in a rental, look at VRBO and Plum Guide.
- Transportation
- For rental car agencies, try Rentalcars.com. When traveling in Europe, I use AutoEurope to make reservations. They find the best rates and allow you to compare different car rental agencies. I typically book with Sixt.
- For transportation from the CDG airport to anywhere within Paris, consider pre-booking with Get Transfer. It is one way to be stress-free and you can request an English-speaking driver.
- Tours + Atractions
- I book tours with companies like Viator and GetYourGuide. Both have a wide variety of activities for every travel style. Other companies to look at include Tours by Locals and Withlocals.
- If you’re visiting a city with multiple attractions, be sure to check out a discount pass, such as CityPASS or Go City.
- Context Travel is another option and they offer more educational-based activities.
- If you are looking to buy tickets to attractions, check out Tiquet.
- Don't Forget Travel Photos
- One of my favorite things to do is to get photos taken of me while on vacation. Flytographer is a great option with photographers all over the world.
- Peace of Mind
- It’s important to have some type of travel insurance to cover any unforeseen accidents, illnesses, threats, or cancellations. I always travel with insurance and would recommend SafetyWing, SquareMouth or Travelex Insurance are good options.
- Should you have any trouble with flight delays to the extent you feel you deserve compensation, I encourage you to check out and use AirHelp. I used them and for 1 claim I got compensated (transparency: a 2nd claim did not, but I was still glad I tried!).
- Planning
- Check out Le Shop for my digital travel planners and Paris planner!
Funny … I think that should apply to US tourists anywhere!
I have not been out of the country for years now, but your points are quite valid! I don’t think of myself as a loud talker at all, but I can only imagine what I sound like to a tourist from another country!
And the food thing.. I doubt the majority of Americans understand how spoiled we are by the options we are offered! If I have to think about it, there are very few places that I go where I do not make a change or two to what I order – even if it is only something being put ‘on the side.’ And I’ve been a waitress, so I know that sometimes it’s just a Pain in the arse to make so many substitutions.
It has definitely made me re-think my own actions every once in a while.
Thanks for the post! I’ll see you during IComLvWe!!!
Nicely said. Thanks
Bonjour, Andi! I would have blown it on all three bullets!
Well said and I couldn’t agree more. These are the exact things that I read and heard about when I visited Paris.
p.s. I took your reader survey.
Andi,
So true about the voice! My daughters are bilingual and when they switch from English to French, they instinctly lower their voice and when they go back to English, it is high pitch again.
As far as switching what is on the menu, I am the queen of it and you can do it in France usually with no problem. But I have to say that being French does help, as I know which part of the dish can be changed and it is my mother language so I usually use super extra polite vocabulary when asking for it.
Lydie
….Bonjour room! Who knew?? Had no idea what an ugly American I am!!! hee hee
Honestly Andi, you’ve completely enlightened me and you do it in such a lovely, cultured, un-american way!!!!!!!!
Sssshhhh ……..
I currently have friends in visiting San Francisco from Paris. One was raised here, the other grew up in France. All of these tips, I can see reflected in their habits. On the phone, the native Frenchman is very quiet.
I think it all comes down to making an effort. I had a very tough conversation where we simply weren’t understanding each other. I knew they were going somewhere, but I didn’t find out where until I took a chance with the scant french I know – “Ou alley?”
Hello,
Just browsing personal blogs and came across yours. Love your style of writing, it’s really funny and interesting. I’ll also bear your tips in mind when I visit France sometime in the future!
I think these rules can apply to most Anglophone cultures. I’ve witnessed some horrible displays of rudeness in restaurants by British people because they couldn’t get what they wanted.
Also, Anglos really need to learn to NOT talk at the cinema, not even if it’s ‘during credits’. French people don’t like it and neither do I!
haha, I laughed a lot.
But you’re soooo right for the “bonjour / au revoir” point. We really thing it’s rude not to say “bonjour” when you enter in a restaurant and ask your meal without that word. =) I’m working in a McDonald restaurant on weekends. And I don’t like when my customers don’t say me “hello”. ^^
But, in my restaurant, there’s no problem if you don’t want ketchup in your burger nor onions and stuff like that. Many many people ask us “Big mac with no cheese or no lettuce”. ^^ That’s very common. =)
Oh, and I wanted to add another thing : I’d like very much to have three tips for French tourists visiting the USA. ^^
This post cracked me up because it’s so necessary and so true! I forwarded it to my friend who wants to come visit but who is extremely boisterous! Hope he’ll get a kick out of it!
Andi–these are great tips. It kind of changes the phrase “ugly american” to “loud american” eh? I didn’t know that we talk so loudly. It’s a good thing to pay attention to. No offense taken. I’m happy to try to fit in and make every attempt to make my country look good while I am abroad.
wow… I promise I did not read this before writing my version! It is amazing that we came away with some of the same pieces of advice.
Tip 1# should be stay at home, visit your own crappy tourism spots. Seriously the world would be a better place if Americans didnt leave their border.
Tip#2 if you must come, dont talk at all. We dont want to give you directions, we dont want to get to know you, we dont want to serve you, we dont care about you, in fact the only reason you are not assualted in the streets upon identification is because of your money.
Tip#3 Be invisible. Dont take up space on the tube during rush hour, dont stand in the middle of the sidewalk and check your map. Basically dont let the local population know there are even any tourists there.
@Thomas, unfortunately you seem to be one of those stereotypical Parisian that give Parisian’s a bad name…luckily, you are not the majority of Parisian’s. I do respect your opinion, and I do know that at times Americans tend to be louder and oblivious to their surrounds which is why I wrote this post to raise awareness.
The “Bonjour Tip” really hits home. My European friends always, bring this up. I’ve tried to consciously do, this not only when traveling, but in my everyday life. It’s funny how it catches so many of us off-guard, when asked? How are you before asking a question.
@Catherine, it really turns any conversation around.
im from holland and i find american tourists in paris very annoying haha
and to add one tip, don’t call everything cheap, leave that for your own country because it is really insulting
@Anita, thanks for your feedback!
I do find American tourists loud and sometimes inconsiderate, but on balance I also find some Germans and especially the Dutch to be extremely loud, boisterous and oafish.
In fact I think it is just the package holiday riff-raff of any culture who display this behaviour. Loud, noisy, red-faced fat people who go anywhere to get beer, go to nightclubs and pointlessly do the same things they do at home, but in a foreign country.
@Roger, yep holiday or school break season is the worst of the worst!
Pity I just now found your website Andi. Great stuff and greater advice. I am a first generation American; my father was a Russian and my mother a Hungarian. I’ve spent considerable time in France both in Paris and in the Loire Valley and loved every minute. Your advice is quite good. While I spent little time standing in the middle of any sidewalks looking at maps and I did not ride the Metro even once (we walked every inch of Paris I think), I understand the frustration of rude “invaders” from other countries. But let’s be a little circumspect about tourists: Where ever there are tourists there are good and gracious ones as well as boors and bumpkins. I’ve met nice tourists all over the world, including French ones, and even, dare I say it, American ones. I’ve also met some downright horrible tourists in some pretty weird locales but as God is my witness, I remind myself, who am I to judge. And by that same token, who the hell does Thomas think he is? If he’s so sick of American tourists and America’s “crappy” tourists spots, we’ll arrange to ban him from entry, and buy him a one-way air ticket to Pyongyang to meet Kim Jong-Un for a well deserved vacation in North Korea. Maybe he’ll like that a bit more …
@Andrew, you bring up valid points! Thanks so much for providing your perspective.