Things I Learned in Paris

Thanksgiving in Paris. Paris in Thanksgiving. No matter the order of that sentence, it still sounds chic and classy. Being that it was my first time in Paris - let alone Europe, I kept an open mind and tried to sponge in as much culture I could in the 4 days I spent there. Well, maybe not culture, but here are a few things that I noticed or just couldn't avoid because they were everywhere. Enjoy my list of Parisian motifs. Bon apetit!

1. Black Peacoat
Walking down the streets of Paris, all I could see were black peacoats - OK, maybe navy blue, and the occasional grey, but a long black peacoat seems to be the only outerwear acceptable to be worn. There is no other kind available in France.

2. Shoes that are not sneakers
According to our tour book, it warned us not to wear sneakers in order to avoid being pegged as a tourist. Not like my fellow traveler and I could avoid it because neither of us could speak French anyway. Everyone (girls) wears heels or knee-high boots - all in a dark color, of course to match the black peacoat. Men wear loafers or any other dark colored shoe.

3. Petit chien
Small dogs - everywhere. Even their little poops.

4. Obama
When you tell them you're from the States, they will ask you about Obama. Then they will ask you if you voted for him. I said "yes" because I did vote for him, and I didn't want them to spit in my food. My Republican companion hated that question and avoided answering.

5. Croissants
There are bakeries everywhere and people eat those delicious things everyday. My personal favorite was pain au chocolat - ate it twice a day.

6. Overweight people
There are none. Despite the croissants, Parisians stay fit because they walk everywhere. Rarely do they use cabs.

7. Coffee
In tiny portions. I'm talking small, espresso shot portions. Usually served with sugar on the side - or just shoot them back black.

8. Homeless Drunks
The homeless in the States drink 40s of crappy beer, the homeless in Paris drink bottles of champagne. Empty bottles were plenty in the streets. Even the bums keep it classy.

9. Everything is small
The cars, tables, chairs, even the toilet seats - are comparatively smaller. That again is because no one in Paris is overweight.

10. Beauty is everywhere
Perhaps the most beautiful and exciting city I have ever been in (but my heart is always in NYC). Everything is beautiful, the buildings, clothes, people, even the petit chien. Can't wait to go back there.