Thank you so much for doing this podcast. I really enjoyed it. I have been to France many times and lived in Paris for about a year in 1999-2000. I had to laugh when you said to not move out of the way if you don’t want to appear like a tourist. So true! You can get run over on sidewalks or in the metro if you don’t watch out. I miss Paris so much and love hearing about your life in Paris! Merci!
Thank you for this podcast. I am going to Paris with my daughter in April and although I have been many times, I found your advice so helpful. Just like if I go to a dr , I hang on every word you say both say !
I have followed both of your blogs since the very early days. Because I have always gotten so much excellent content from you both, when the subscription process began I was all in. I’ve been lucky enough to meet each of you in Paris and I’m looking forward to continuing connecting to Paris through your blogs between trips. It was fun listening to your podcast together! Merci!!
Your conversation with Heather made my day, David! I discovered both your blogs at about the same time in 2009, while doing online research for a trip to Paris with a dear friend who'd never been to the city. I'd been there a couple times before, but not for several years, and, speaking some limited french, meant I was going to be the guide. Of all the 'outsiders'-insider' blogs I discovered during my search, yours and Heather's are the only ones I still follow (with great pleasure). For some reason, finding out that the two of you are not only acquainted but actual friends is just delightful! I always hoped I might take a tour with Heather at some point, and you both write so intelligently and insightfully about that very special city. All the best to you both.
Glad you like them both! I discovered her blog as she was actually writing about real, useful stuff and info. There weren't many blogs back then so it was nice we got connected : )
Heathers article on tipping is very interesting. Was there for October and went to a cafe near the Eiffel Tower and after being crammed, and I mean crammed, into a small table and frankly getting the worst service I have ever received (been going to Paris for almost 30 years) the server had the audacity to ask me, when I paid the bill, “nothing for me?” I looked at her and said nope, the service was not good and you paid zero attention to us. She hung around for a minute or so and asked again. I looked her right in the eye and said Non, rien. Au revoir.
That's awful. The tip is always included in France and the system is designed so that everyone makes a certain wage and gets health insurance and retirement, and tips are always optional and never expected. Unfortunately in some touristy areas (like where you were), servers get tips from tourists but it's shameful they asked for one so bluntly. I was at a fancy restaurant in a train station in Paris and the host came over to me when it was time to pay and said, "Monsieur, in France it's customary to leave a tip in France." I was with a tour group and we always tipped the staff because we were extra work and they were always very nice to us. We did slip the waitress a tip (so the host couldn't see) but I never went back.
The interesting thing to me was she apparently asked every customer for a tip. I didn't hear it but my lunch partner did and she was appalled. That has never happened to me before and it didn't happen on the rest of my stay. Needless to say, even though the food was pretty good, especially for the location, I'll never go back
I dislike when I hear stories like that and most of us have traveled or been a tourist (including those servers at the restaurant who were asking for tips), and I hope when they travel, people are nicer to them than they are to customers. Fortunately in Paris those people are the exception, not the rule. A French friend once told me it was illegal to ask for tips in France, but I'm not sure. With the advent of electronic payment apps where there is a place to tip, like in the US, I wonder if things will change. But for now the rule is that the tip is included and tips are given at your discretion.
I just got back from my annual Paris trip and I was so proud of myself for figuring out the bus this time! I was surprised at how many people were there for the 'gram - posing conspicuously in very Emily in Paris outfits 😄 always a wondering time though!
Thank you so much for doing this podcast. I really enjoyed it. I have been to France many times and lived in Paris for about a year in 1999-2000. I had to laugh when you said to not move out of the way if you don’t want to appear like a tourist. So true! You can get run over on sidewalks or in the metro if you don’t watch out. I miss Paris so much and love hearing about your life in Paris! Merci!
Thank you for this podcast. I am going to Paris with my daughter in April and although I have been many times, I found your advice so helpful. Just like if I go to a dr , I hang on every word you say both say !
It is delightful to hear you and Heather together on a podcast, and the information you provided just in that short time is invaluable.
I have followed both of your blogs since the very early days. Because I have always gotten so much excellent content from you both, when the subscription process began I was all in. I’ve been lucky enough to meet each of you in Paris and I’m looking forward to continuing connecting to Paris through your blogs between trips. It was fun listening to your podcast together! Merci!!
Your conversation with Heather made my day, David! I discovered both your blogs at about the same time in 2009, while doing online research for a trip to Paris with a dear friend who'd never been to the city. I'd been there a couple times before, but not for several years, and, speaking some limited french, meant I was going to be the guide. Of all the 'outsiders'-insider' blogs I discovered during my search, yours and Heather's are the only ones I still follow (with great pleasure). For some reason, finding out that the two of you are not only acquainted but actual friends is just delightful! I always hoped I might take a tour with Heather at some point, and you both write so intelligently and insightfully about that very special city. All the best to you both.
Glad you like them both! I discovered her blog as she was actually writing about real, useful stuff and info. There weren't many blogs back then so it was nice we got connected : )
Heathers article on tipping is very interesting. Was there for October and went to a cafe near the Eiffel Tower and after being crammed, and I mean crammed, into a small table and frankly getting the worst service I have ever received (been going to Paris for almost 30 years) the server had the audacity to ask me, when I paid the bill, “nothing for me?” I looked at her and said nope, the service was not good and you paid zero attention to us. She hung around for a minute or so and asked again. I looked her right in the eye and said Non, rien. Au revoir.
That's awful. The tip is always included in France and the system is designed so that everyone makes a certain wage and gets health insurance and retirement, and tips are always optional and never expected. Unfortunately in some touristy areas (like where you were), servers get tips from tourists but it's shameful they asked for one so bluntly. I was at a fancy restaurant in a train station in Paris and the host came over to me when it was time to pay and said, "Monsieur, in France it's customary to leave a tip in France." I was with a tour group and we always tipped the staff because we were extra work and they were always very nice to us. We did slip the waitress a tip (so the host couldn't see) but I never went back.
The interesting thing to me was she apparently asked every customer for a tip. I didn't hear it but my lunch partner did and she was appalled. That has never happened to me before and it didn't happen on the rest of my stay. Needless to say, even though the food was pretty good, especially for the location, I'll never go back
I dislike when I hear stories like that and most of us have traveled or been a tourist (including those servers at the restaurant who were asking for tips), and I hope when they travel, people are nicer to them than they are to customers. Fortunately in Paris those people are the exception, not the rule. A French friend once told me it was illegal to ask for tips in France, but I'm not sure. With the advent of electronic payment apps where there is a place to tip, like in the US, I wonder if things will change. But for now the rule is that the tip is included and tips are given at your discretion.
I just got back from my annual Paris trip and I was so proud of myself for figuring out the bus this time! I was surprised at how many people were there for the 'gram - posing conspicuously in very Emily in Paris outfits 😄 always a wondering time though!