27/01/2023
5 tips for first time travellers to France (Part 2 of 2)
1. The French are friendly and polite. Despite what you may have heard, the French are friendly and happy to help out a lost tourist. That said, don’t approach someone directly in English or without saying bonjour. Cultural differences, not understanding French norms, and unrealistic expectations can lead to tourists having a less-than-ideal experience in France.
2. There’s no dress code. Yes, the French do wear sneakers and shorts and no, not everyone is a fashion maven. For everyday sightseeing, wear what you’re comfortable and confident wearing. No one is secretly judging you for your fashion choices. When out and about, you’ll see people dressed in a variety of styles.
If you want to blend in better, think casual sneakers instead of athletic shoes, muted, neutral colours and slightly dressier clothing options than maybe you’d wear at home. Add a dressy scarf, belt, or blazer to a casual outfit if you feel like it. But there’s no rule on this. The bottom line is that you are a tourist and there’s nothing wrong with that. Of course don’t wear flip flops to the opera, but casual dressing is generally fine.
3. The food and wine will be a highlight of your trip, so try everything! From the wine to the cheese to the bread and pastries to all the local specialties and more, France is a foodie’s dream. Hit up the farmers’ markets, restaurants who source fare locally, specialty shops and anything else that catches your eye. If you visit in the spring or early summer, the strawberries and cherries are incredible!
4. The emergency phone number is 112. In Europe, 112 is the equivalent of 911 or 999, so commit it to memory. It works from a cell phone, landline, and public payphone. Specific to France, you’d dial 15 for a medical emergency, 17 for the police, and 18 for the fire department.
5. Experience France and all things French without judgment. We need to be respectful of the people and country we’re visiting, and it can be a snap reaction to dismiss cultural differences. If these thoughts cross your mind, keep the cultural judgments to yourself and don’t audibly express them in earshot of others.
Bonus tip: Save more when shopping in France. You might already know that as a tourist, you are eligible for refunds on your VAT (Value Added Tax) when you shop at certain stores, usually at luxury boutiques or large departmental stores. But did you realise that you typically only get refunded between 54% to 60% of your total paid VAT amount? The balance is deducted as processing fees by refund agents when you claim your refunds at airport refund counters. The long queues coupled with the small refund amount is hardly worth the effort and the main reason why many tourists don’t claim for VAT refunds.
There is a much easier way! Use TripTax to get 25% more on your VAT returns at any retail store. Avoid the queue at airport refund counters and get your VAT instantly when you depart the EU.
Share these travel tips with a friend and follow for more content like these.
