Night view of Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
I am traveling to France and Italy. Any tips?
I am traveling to france and Italy for the first two weeks of June. Is there anything culture-wise that I should know about before I go? I’m sufficient in french, and I know some things about french/african culture, but is there any tips or such??
Since you are staying long time, NO groceries or shopping on Sunday. You might find a convenience store in Paris, Rome, or some other very large city, but for the most part aside from restaurants and occasional museums expect it to be closed. I hate it and love it (forces me to relax get some chores done and take a walk)
No need to tip more than 1 Euro at a restaurant, you usually just round to the nearest dollar. Expect your meals to take longer than usual especially in France (I once had dinner in France that took almost 4 hours…) It will be 2 times longer in Italy, about 3 times longer in France.
Service is “slow” to American standards. There is no rush to eat in Europe. They like to take their time, make sure it is freshly prepared and have some down time between courses. Unless you are eating in a fancy restaurant, the waiter may not be coming by to ask if you want a refill or are you doing ok. They come to take your order, bring your order, and take your dishes away (ask for coffee and desert at this point).
They will not pressure you to leave the table. Once you sit it is yours, you can stay there for hours, they will not ask if you want the bill, you will have to flag the waiter and ask for it (Waited 30 minutes one time before I finally got to flag the waiter).
All prices are tax inclusive. Bring CASH. A lot of places only take cash. The bigger cities a lot of them take credit cards, but in smaller towns or mom and pop type restaurants only cash. If you don’t see the logo in the front expect it to be a cash only establishment.
Try to speak their language especially hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and your welcome. Learning to Count to 10 is helpful to.
Have change with you, you may have to pay for the bathroom, even at McDonalds sometimes.
You can bring around a backpack, even into shopping areas. It is ok. Allows me to bring water in it.
In a grocery store you do not get a free plastic bag, it costs 10 cents and you have to ask for it. Buy water here it is much cheaper than at a museum.
Learn the public transportation, invaluable in the mid-large cit;es.
Start walking, get those leg muscles up to speed. You will do a lot of walking.
That’s all I can think of for now.
Most Important Advice: Have Fun… Traveling and experiencing new places are great!!!!