10 classic mistakes guests often make in Paris

Even French people who are not Parisians sometimes make the same basic mistakes as tourists when visiting the capital, according to Travel & Leisure. Here are the 10 most common mistakes that foreign tourists make, as pointed out by locals.

Do not greet when entering a restaurant or hotel.

The first thing a visitor should say when arriving at a restaurant or hotel is "Hello". When speaking, make eye contact with the person you are speaking to.

Wait for the waiter to bring the bill

Eating in Paris is a popular pastime and a time to enjoy the flavors of food with loved ones. Therefore, waiters do not bring the bill even when you have finished your meal, your glass has been drained and your plates have been cleared. The bill is only brought when requested.

In addition, when entering restaurants, except luxury restaurants, visitors should proactively ask for filtered water from the tap (free) if they want to drink because waiters will not proactively bring it out.

No reservations in restaurants

Most prestigious restaurants in Paris require reservations. Some require reservations the night before, others a week or a month in advance. Paris is much smaller than elsewhere. Lunchtime is usually until 2:15 p.m. and dinner until 10:30 p.m.

Not everyone travels just to eat. But if you want to enjoy French cuisine in a restaurant, make a reservation. Many have online reservation systems to help you.

Visit in August or December

If you’re traveling and want to visit a Michelin-starred or online-famous restaurant, avoid August or December, when many restaurants are closed. While museums and parks are still open, the city is generally quiet during these two months. This August, however, Paris will be busier thanks to the Olympic Games, which run from July 26 to August 11. But things will quiet down by the end of the month.

Drink coffee on the rooftop

The advantage of rooftop cafes is that visitors are allowed to smoke. But the coffee at these destinations is not rated as good. Instead, visitors should order other drinks such as beer. If you love quality coffee, visitors should look for artisanal coffee shops.

Choose a baguette instead of traditional bread

At the bakery, opt for traditional bread instead of a baguette if you want to be like the locals. Traditional bread is made from simple ingredients like flour, salt, water, and yeast and is handmade, but is considered “much tastier” than the rest. If you get a baguette that’s fresh out of the oven, Parisians guarantee you’ll “eat it all before you get back to your hotel.”

Eat and drink while walking

For Parisians, meals are meant to be enjoyed slowly, not rushed on the street or on the metro. The only thing people usually eat on the street is a sandwich or a baguette. It is rare to see a Parisian eating or drinking anything while walking, be it coffee or an apple.

Touch anything without asking first

At food markets, visitors should ask before touching items. The same rule applies at all the weekend markets (flea markets) that dot the streets. Many of the items here are valuable and fragile. Visitors should stand and admire them rather than caress or pick them up to look at them.

Do not keep subway tickets

If you use a paper ticket, keep it until you exit the station. Many people throw away their tickets after paying, thinking they will no longer need them. Meanwhile, the Paris metro is strictly controlled. You can be fined if you do not keep your ticket stub to prove you paid.

Take a taxi along the way

Many tourists like to hail taxis on the street. However, the taxis that are guaranteed to be free of rip-offs or scams are marked "Taxi Parisien" or "G7" and are usually parked at designated spots for passengers to pick up. Tourists can also order Uber. The fares vary depending on the distance.