Do's and Don'ts in Paris

I've learned most of the items on this list the hard way.

The list is not meant to discourage you from visiting Paris.  I'm already planning for next year's visit!!!

Here we go--
Don't talk loud on the subway

Don't open your purse in the middle of the sidewalk

Don't talk about a competitors product in a store selling the same product (keep the tea conversations to the sidewalk)

Don't wear American labels branded across the front of a sweatshirt if you want to blend in

Do wear black and grey to meld with the locals

Don't leave a tip (unless fine dining)  in excess of 1 or 2 euros

Don't expect to just walk into the Louver; there are lines everywhere, and security checks also

Don't expect complimentary potato chips at the neighborhood bar/bistro if you are not a local

Don't photography the perfume ads if there is a 'bouncer' guard standing at the front door

Don't expect every Metro stop to be the same; they will be different based on neighborhood culture/lifestyle

Don't expect merchants to readily give change; they prefer you give them the exact purchase price

Don't expect the airline checkin to be simple in Paris, especially if airline points/miles were used to purchase the ticket

(flying Delta...be SURE taxi driver drops you at 2E, Not 2A---it's quite a long walk--I know...)

Don't expect the boarding pass printed in Paris to work at your USA connection, especially Pittsburg

Don't check Anything that you need or value (I almost checked my computer, etc cords, and changed my mind at the last minute)

Don't allow the airline agent to tag your checked luggage without you first checking the bag claim tag that is attached to your luggage (the gate agent in Paris put my luggage claim tag on the bag of someone from NY; no one knew that until we got to Memphis  UPDATE: 14 days later Air France called and my luggage is in Bordeaux, FR  UPDATE UPDATE Day 17-still no luggage UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE my luggage arrived home, unharmed on day 18!

Do (men) carry a man bag; just get over it-you will actually look very stylish; you will Need the bag
Don't walk out the door without an umbrella in your bag, regardless of any sunlight you may see
Don't walk out the door without a Metro map and a city street map
Don't try to board the Metro after the buzzer goes off!
Do have a plan in case one of your party Does board the Metro after the buzzer goes off; agree to meet at the next Metro stop, and stick with the plan

Don't pack anything in your checked luggage that you can't afford to lose(ie:  travel purchases, etc)
Do keep receipts for all travel purchases in your carry on luggage in case your checked bag containing these items is lost
Do photography your luggage prior to departure; if mistaged you can prove what your bag looks like
Do include two ID tags on all checked luggage; attach sky miles luggage tag to outside of checked bag

Don’t throw away Metro or RER tickets before your journey ends. Inspectors sometimes spot-check and you could be fined. (I Had to show proof to inspectors once during 2012 trip!)


DON'T LOSE YOUR KEY, NO MATTER WHAT.  Sleep with it, bathe with it, never leave it in a pocket of a jacket you tie around your waist. 


Enjoy your trip.  I could write a list twice this long of things to "DO" while in Paris.