What makes Paris special?

• The harder the bread's crust, the better quality it is. (Your jaw just gets a workout.) More holes also means you chose wisely. When you take the bread from the basket on the table, set it beside your plate, not on it. Tear off pieces instead of biting.


• Ready to flush? The button is on the top of the toilet. Sometimes there are two. The small is for a delciate unloading. When things get messy, use the large button.


• Many French bathrooms have abandoned boy and girls profiles on their doors. There aren't any rules about what bathroom you can use. I had a few brief moments of confusions the first times I saw a man walk out of the stall. This practice can come in handy when bathrooms are designate according to sex; we all know how long the women's line gets when the men's room is sitting empty....


• Smoking teenagers is a common sight. They pay no attention to the FUMER TUE (SMOKING KILLS) labels plastered across cigarette cartons.


• The French don't write their senators. Instead they protest with a group of people and signs or go on strike.


• The rumors are not true. The average French woman does shave her legs and armpits. However, scented deodorant is too unnatural for some.


• The French are behind with technology, but the situation is improving.


• A true Parisian sits or stands on the metro and stares, all dejected looking, at the floor. If someone happens to be looking elsewhere, it is probably because he or she is staring at you. It doesn't seem to be considered impolite here.


• France revolves around Paris.


• Most Parisians leave their car at home and take the metro. It's not like there are any parking spots to be had anywhere. At busy times (or when the RER is striking), the bodies pack in like sardines. I've gotten closer to French people than I ever wanted to.


• The smell is unique, like an unpleasant melange of pee, sweat, poop, and smoke. It's always potent int he metro. (As my Uncle Dave pointed out to me, that's why Paris is known for perfume!)


• Keep your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right. Switching is unnecessary.


• Milk is for the morning. I was informed by Heloise yesterday that Americans are weird because they eat milk with dinner. My host mom also thinks that it will give you a tummy ache if you don't heat it.


• Breakfast isn't fancy, but the French are more likely to take the time to sit down for it. I have toast and tea every morning.


• The customer is always wrong.


• At a restaurant, checks aren't split. The waiter gives you one check and you split it among yourselves. (There are more waiters and less waitresses than in America.)


• Don't lean over the counter and try to speak with someone. Wait to be addressed, or you'll come across as rude.


• Men can wear purses and scarves too.


• Phones are for business, not talking. State your business and hang up. (This is changing some with cell phones.)


• The French are guaranteed at least five weeks of vacation per year.


• Most stores closs on Sunday. You have to pay attention to which bakeries, restaurunts, etc. are open in your area. You can always count on visiting the Marais district. Their large Jewish population means doors are normally open.


• Family dinners are still important.


• Kids go to school for longer each day, but they have large lunch breaks and wasted time. They are graded on a scale of 20, not 100. Children are expected to chose a career sooner than Americans. "Le bac" is the important exam students take at the end of high school. Their score determines which schools they can enter. Normally the track they chose leads them to the occupation they will have for the rest of their life. There is not the liberty to change their majors four times.


• Don't give the "Romanian" who come onto your metro car any money. He and 17 other "Romanians" all have the same story and same number of kids.


• Homeless sit in every metro stop or conveniently by the ATM on the corner. Once you are homeless in France, it is nearly impossible to break back into work. Social protections and benefits abound, but homeless on a list of people who slip through the system.


• French go to the doctor for preventative care more than Americans, who tend to go only when they are bleeding profusely or giving labor.


• T-shirts and sneakers don't pass.


• French artists are only heard on the radio to meet the government's quota for the number of songs that need a French label. Techno is popular with young people. American music is everywhere.

French Fact: France is giving a $905 million aid package to the French press. One provision gives young readers free subscriptions.