Parisians are rude, unhelpful and unfriendly, according to – Parisians! Well, that’s the finding, anyway, of a recent survey by French magazine Marianne.
It certainly fits a stereotype, but is it true? Certainly, when I’ve been researching or updating a Paris mp3 tour, I’ve found them to be helpful and friendly. Of course, they can be a bit a brisk – as anyone can who lives in a big city. I’ve found this when I’ve been doing our Rome city guide or our guide to Berlin.
But perhaps Parisians suffer unduly because they are naturally chic, stylish and cool – all properties that can be associated with snootiness and a lack of natural friendliness. A friend of mine claims if you were run over in the Rue de Rivoli, for instance, Parisians would step over you, stopping only to comment on the fact that coat doesn’t match your shoes or that your shirt is so last season.
So, where are the friendliest places in the Paris? From my experience of writing more than one Paris walking tour, the parks are usually a good bet, especially the Jardins du Palais Royal or the gardens at the Palais de Luxembourg. Spend some time here, especially on a balmy afternoon in early Spring and the mood will be warm and relaxed as the weather.
The Rue de Rivoli, the Champs Elysées and the other main streets are naturally some of the most unfriendly as frenetic crows push past tourists and, talking of pushing past, no one can launch an attack to find to get a seat when boarding the Metro like a true Parisian, or Parisgo to give a certain type of Parisian.
But, the Boulevard Saint Germain and the student area are also places where, you’ll be able to prove the Marianne survey wrong by finding yourself amongst friendly Parisians.