Guestblog, Travel

Paris – Breaking the stereotypes! [ Guestpost ]

Paris – Breaking the stereotypes!

The fashion capital of the World, home to renowned art culture and the symbol of gorgeous architecture in Eiffel Tower is the city of your dreams. Yes, you got it right – I am talking about Paris! While you plan your dream trip to Paris, you may have come across a variety of myths about Paris & Parisians that could have left you intimidated. In my first visit to Paris, I also had similar thoughts in mind which were cleared off completely. So, I would like to bring some personal experiences that might break or change the way stereotypes are still there about Paris!!

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#Parisians are rude

First and foremost things you hear about Paris is that the Parisians are rude to tourists. Somehow, I was prepared for this before my first trip to Paris and I found this myth to be quite contrary. Considering my first trip, I was nervous, lost through the airport, finding my way to metro or even getting a ticket for metro yet I always encountered someone to help me through it! The airport security or the metro staff, waiters at restaurants, or just random people working anywhere in the city helped in one way or the other. You’d be surprised if you smile while asking your question, how humbly you’ll receive the answer. In fact, I feel Parisians go out of their way to make you understand, maybe they do understand how difficult it can get for tourists especially with the language barrier.

#It’s not as dangerous as most people say

Remember the scene from Queen where Kangna Ranaut was almost robbed on her solo honeymoon to Paris? It scared the shit out of me. The more I read about Paris the more scared I got. I read about how to keep your wallet close, the pickpockets and what not! I roamed around not only in the daytime but also post-sunset alone in those empty roads for as long as 10 days and yet I felt completely safe despite being that scary feeling tugged deep down in my heart. I believe you’re as safe you’d want you to be. Yes, there can be cases if one is careless, so my suggestion is to be aware of your surroundings and just relax while enjoying your dream trip.

#Parisians don’t like colors except for black

Yes, Parisians love black color and it’s evident while roaming in the city and many people also suggest you wear black to blend in! You can wear what you like, literally any color as you will find so many locals wearing any color but black!! So you’re safe with colors here 😉

#Difficult to understand Paris metro

Paris metro dates back to late 18th century initiated with the thought of urban train system within the city. With the first metro in the 1900s and expanding still today & reach every corner of the city so it is expected to be slightly complicated. With over 62 connections, it is one of the best media to commute in the French capital. Yes, it can be overwhelming at first, but my advice here would be to study a bit of metro map before your trip, from your hotel/homestay to the places to see. After a day, you’ll enjoy riding the metro just like I did 🙂

#Paris is lover’s nest

Paris is known to be the city of love and you will see couples almost everywhere. I was delighted when I met a lot of people who were traveling solo or with friends & family. So if you’re planning to go with your partner, it will be great but if like to travel solo then also that is going to be awesome!

#Shopping can burn a hole in your pocket

Paris is the renowned Fashion capital of the world and is home to exquisite designers and brands well-known. If you intend to shop from the designers, then yes it is going to shoot up your budget. Well, isn’t that the case precisely everywhere? But there are so many local brands which will be as chic as you like and at pretty reasonable rates. Paris does have flea markets, and even the subways have shops which sell amazing products including typical Parisian perfumes! I bought some for me too, and I can assure they’re awesome 🙂

#Tiny hotel rooms

While planning your trip, you’d be warned about the small size of the hotel rooms in the iconic capital. I have to admit the rooms are not as big as you would find in smaller cities, but they’re decent enough for solo travelers or couples. Some hotels even have the big family rooms what the families are looking for. I stayed in the prime location of Trocadero right opposite to Eiffel Tower in a double room and yet the room was big enough for me. Look little far from Eiffel Tower and you’d be amazed by the room sizes, you can thank me later 😉

#Paris has some of the world’s best doughnuts

One thing I wanted to taste as I stepped foot in the Paris city was to try the well-known doughnuts, fresh & warm right out of the oven! Who doesn’t like to click the instagrammable picture by holding a doughnut with a background of Eiffel tower…well, I wanted one too. Although, the moment I tasted my first doughnut in a bakery, I was disappointed and the disappointment never chose in its opposite even after so many trials. Sorry, Parisians, I would love some recommendations on this front if you know any good ones out there!

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– The Wanderer

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Howdy folks! This december starts with a bang on my blog as I run a unique bloghop with 28 bloggers to write guestposts for me and each other all this month. I hope my readers will catch all the action and support this drive with their comments and feedback to encourage the writing. To know more about this blog hop in detail, you could catch this post here.

My guest for today is Shibani who is a travel blogger from New Delhi. You can check out her blog here 

Linking up for #wordsante with Namysaysso for every post deserves some love

You could read my guestpost on Shibani’s blog Postcards from Paris  & one on my blog about my Paris trip 

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44 thoughts on “Paris – Breaking the stereotypes! [ Guestpost ]

  1. That was a great travel post, Shibani! It must have been quite an experience travelling alone in the magnificent city, isn’t it? The confidence it has given you reflects in your post!

  2. Seriously some are myths, I have had some amazing shopping hauls from Paris and found places where I could bargain on fashion too! Everyone wears black!!! That’s news to me, rather I found people dressing up well for work! I stayed at a Novotel property which was pretty good. Paris has some amazing cafes and patisseries. This is a wonderful post Shibani I am thankful you broke these stereotypes. And I want to go back again!

    1. I agree – I too found some nice decently priced shopping complexes in Paris. I read a lot about Parisians wearing black and oddly enough I too found people *not* in black 🙂 It was an eye opener and a wonderful trip for me. Thanks for the lovely words 🙂

  3. I have never been to pairs i mean as a tourist, but i had the opportunity to have a really beautiful view of effel tower when i was flying to US and back to India 🙂 and this was on both my trips to US. I will soon plan a trip to pairs.

  4. I only wish I had read this post before I visited Paris. Well, thanks to this information I will now just have to visit it again to have the perfect holiday !!! Good luck with this venture Shalini. Happy Bloganniversary

  5. Rome and Paris are my dream destinations. I didn’t had an opportunity to visit these places yet. I hope for the day to arrive soon.
    Indeed every prominent tourist spot has its share of myths among people, it is only when we talk about the places we visit will the myths clear. It is good that yo addressed certain myths about Paris 🙂

  6. Paris is on our travel wish list and this post has made it move up high on our list. Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights about this lovely city, Shibani 🙂

  7. Thanks for the view into Paris, Shibani! I always assumed that, being the fashion capital of the world, Parisians would dress up in stylish clothes, didn’t expect them to be roaming around in a monotone 😀 Loved reading about your experience there. Useful tips too if I ever go there one day, will keep them in mind! Cheers 🙂

  8. This is such a lovely post about one of the most romantic cities in the world. Very well described and lot of myths busted. Cant wait to visit Paris!!! Thanks for the awesome description Shibani.

  9. My idea of Paris is mostly from our movies. The Eiffel Tower, the beautiful architecture and the general ‘loved up’ place. 🙂
    Loved this post. I would like to taste the doughnuts too. 😉

  10. I’m so aesthecially challenged, I would probably need to find out what to wear to blend in or get barred from entering the city.
    Loved this post. Very practical and helpful pointers. I would like to try the doughnut.

  11. My comment dint get posted so here I go again. Personally it was quite a dampner for me, I felt it’s overhyped. After staying in Switzerland for a month I wasnt quite impressed with a Paris. My SIL got mugged and I was only too happy to come back to Switzerland

    1. I agree, Switzerland is more safe than Paris!! Even there are announcements in Paris metro to be aware of the pickpockets! It’s a pity you had to face that!! Hope you enjoyed Swiss towns 🙂

  12. Paris is a dream destination for many including me. Thanks for clearing so many misconceptions which had build up in my mind too. Hope to travel there one day.

  13. Loved this take on Paris! Thanks for bursting these myths. Completely agree with you on Paris metro. We used it extensively while in the city.

    I read two posts on Paris back to back. The city is calling me!

  14. Paris is a very romantic place and you took us straight in the heart of this beautiful place, challenging the stereotypes that we hear about Parisians. I would love to visit to pen a love story based there. The Tour Eiffel is one place that I would love to visit. Engrossing and aesthetically written.

  15. Paris is on my wishlist. Loved reading your pointers. It confirms my belief that with some confidence and good communication one can get around anywhere. Also, I can carry pinks and yellows there too. 😉

  16. Paris! I always thought it as unfriendly and just good to see on screen kind of place but thank you for clearing the doubts.

    husband are you listening – Paris on my list please 😉

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