hello

Hello & welcome,

The French are against your Chimpresident, not against Americans. There are many US tourists right now in Paris, and they don’t get attacked everyday. You won’t run into any kind of trouble if you stay polite and discreet. Will you have to wear your uniform on the street ? The only kind of trouble you could encounter is with young arab punks trying to play their own little jihad. Just avoid bad neighbourhoods then, which is easy to do.

I hope you have a blast.

CRC

Thank you. yes i do have to wear my uniform out in the street some times.could you be so kind as to tell me what neighbourhoods to advoide?Like i said i have never ben out side the US so im going to be lost out there lmao. Thanks

kenshin, Keep in mind that most French people are much quieter than most Americans, so try to keep your voice down in public. The French are also very polite so always remember to say please and thank you . . . even it you have to say it in English. Even better if you learn it in French.

When you go in a store, say hello to the person working there. When you leave, say good bye and thank you. It’s just what they do.

In restaurants, don’t call the waiter "garcon" because it means "boy" and they don’t like it any better than we do. Monsieur or waiter are just fine. Keep in mind that you won’t get the bill unless you ask for it. You can sit there all night if you don’t ask for the bill. Again, it’s just what they do.

Also, they won’t come over after you’re served and ask if everything is all right (when your mouth is full and you can’t answer!). If there is a problem with your order, you will have to catch the waiter’s eye and tell him the problem. He will take care of it cheerfully, but he won’t come over and ask if everything is okay. They assume it’s okay unless you tell them otherwise.

If you visit the major tourist sites, you will be fine. There may be more Americans there than French people! At night, you can have a great time, but don’t get drunk and loud. That will get you into trouble faster than anything. (Good advice anywhere!)

Hopefully, crc95 will tell you what areas to avoid including which Metros (subways) are not great at night. I’m older and don’t go out much at night so have no idea about those things.

Just use the good manners your Grandma or Mother taught you and you’ll be fine. I think you’ll like France. It is absolutely beautiful and the French people we’ve met have been very helpful and kind. The French love to solve problems so when you have a problem, don’t be afraid to tell someone and ask for help.

If you can make a few French friends and go places with them, it will make you more comfortable. I realize that’s difficult but it isn’t impossible, especially among the young.

I have a former student in the Air Force who has been sent all over the world and he is always treated nicely. Relax and enjoy yourself and don’t let your friends tease you too much.

Have a great time and enjoy France.

kenshin, you can go anywhere in Paris when wearing civilian clothes. When in uniform, I’d recommend you avoided the northeastern corner of Paris, especially at night.

If you need a subway map of Paris, you ‘ll get it at http://www.ratp.fr english version available).

SalB, I didn’t know you had to be in bed by 8 PM. That’s too bad. Was that your grandma who taught you that too ??

CRC

crc95, No, not quite 8 PM, but we usually give up around 10 to 10:30 because we get up at 6 to go walking. Believe me, in Paris we do a LOT of walking, usually 10 to 12 miles a day.

My grandmother was very old fashioned, but my mother was the family rebel / black sheep. I learned a few things from her too.

kenshim, When you get to Paris, go to the first bookstore you see and get a little booklet map of Paris called "Paris Pratique par Arrondissement." It easily fits in a uniform pocket (or shirt pocket) and has every street in Paris in readable form. It also has complete Metro (subway), RER (train) and bus maps. It is very useful. Sometimes you can find it at Borders and you might be able to order it at Borders.com or Amazon.com. It would be nice to have it before you arrive, but they are easily available all over Paris.

Enjoy.

Thank you all for the info on this im am glad i came to this site. I will be polite and i will keep my voice down.After all im at there home. Once more thank you. Have a nice day.O and by the way do you know how i would go a bout going to school there?How do i enroll in a school.Well thanks.

kenshin, You would probably need to find a school where they speak English unless you speak French. You can Google French Schools and start there. You could also look at http://www.francetourism.com/ and http://www.franceguide.com/ to see if they have any information about schools.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/eur/fra.htm is another web site that may help you. The Lonely Planet web site has a forum called "The Thorn Tree" and it is mostly young people like you. Many go to school in foreign countries and may be able to help you. It’s worth a try.

Good luck.

Well thay are sending me sooner so im heading out on tusday.Thanks for all your help and have a nice day or night. I hope i make lots of french friends out there. See ya.