Next week we leave on our long-awaited vacation. Julian started planning this trip back in February. (Who, us, obsessive-compulsive?) We’ll be in Hannibal for a few days to visit my family, then we’ll fly to France.
To avoid being a magnet for every scammer and pickpocket in Lyon, Colmar, and Paris, my goal is simple: Don’t look so much like an American tourist. (I can’t disguise my nationality once I start speaking, regardless of how many times Mme. Yolande admonished me to pronounce my R’s properly.) Here are my strategies:
- Wear scarves. French women rarely leave their homes without one. They don’t take up much space in the suitcase.
- Wear neutral colors. My hot pink hoodie will stay home.
- Lose the logos. My Cornell pullovers will also stay home.
- Keep the sneaker-wearing to a minimum.
- Bring logo-less mesh or cloth bags to carry baguettes or croissants back to the apartment.
- Ignore American etiquette, numéro un: Cut meat or chicken with my non-dominant hand. (Pas de problème, I do this already.)
- Ignore American etiquette, numéro deux: Set the piece of baguette on the table, not the dinner plate.
- Don’t be seen carrying Rick Steves travel books on the street. Those blue guidebooks instantly target you as a tourist.
I’ll skip the beret and Gauloise cigarettes.
We’ll see how these strategies work with the first test: the Fête des Lumières in Lyon.
Recent Comments