Truly Spoiled

I often think to myself what a lucky person I am ... I am living my dream, living in Paris! The City is so beautiful that it is like living on a movie set. I really couldn't ask for anything more ... well, maybe a job ;o)

Birthdays in Paris have really proven to me what a truly lucky and loved person I am. I have spent the past two birthdays in Paris which is a fantastic opportunity in itself ... but I feel like I have been extra spoiled with birthdays.

Last year Julie came all the way from Boston to celebrate my birthday with me and on the big day we went to the comedy show How to Become a Parisian in One Hour (see last Septembers post for tips on how to be Parisian). Then this year, Carmen who about two weeks ago just moved from Amsterdam to Geneva decided last minute to come to Paris for a long birthday weekend celebration. On the big day, we had tickets with a group of friends to an Opéra en plein air (open air opera) showing of Madame Butterfly in the courtyard of Invalides.

Picture taken with iPhone while waiting to entire Invalides

I was also fortunate enough to receive so many emails, texts, and facebook messages that I felt overwhelmed with love. Especially being so far away from my friends and family it means the world to me. Thank you so much!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything more ... I had an absolutely wonderful birthday!!!

How to Become Parisian in One Hour

On my birthday Julie, JB and I, went to a one man comedy show by Olivier Giraud called How to Become Parisian in One Hour. If you are ever in Paris, I definitely recommend that you check out the show. Currently, the show is every Tuesday & Wednesday at 20:30, at the Theater de la main d'or. Until then, here are some pointers from the show.

First and foremost, to be Parisian you must look super depressed and on the verge of suicide ... Life in Paris with miserable Parisians is just completely unbearable! (I think I'm a little oblivious to this overall depressive attitude around me as I'm still in awe of living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. French people have a perception of Americans as always being HAPPY and SMILING, and I think I definitely satisfy that stereotype ... anyways, I rather be known as always happy over miserable and depressed.)

When at a restaurant it is important to understand that all waiters are miserable and pissed off because they have been waiting tables for their entire lives. Do not expect them to do much ... if you want to know the special of the day - read the board! Taxi drivers are just miserable old waiters; so don't expect any friendly conversation. To be a true Parisian, when taking a taxicab in Paris, if the bill is 9.90 hand the taxi driver 10 euros and wait for the change.

When shopping, don't say hello when you enter into a store, nobody cares about your presence and the same applies when leaving - no need to say goodbye. If you want everyone to know you are not a Parisian (or that you are an American tourist) than make sure to smile and say hello/goodbye. At the same time, do not ask the sales person for any help, they are not interested in being of any assistance. If you try something on, leave everything in a pile on the floor, it's the sales person job to clean up and put everything away.

Most importantly, to be a Parisian on the subway, again, you must look depressed and suicidal. Once you enter into the subway, find a seat, pick a point on the floor and stare at it for your entire journey all while maintaining your depressed expression. No matter what, do not give up your seat, not even for a pregnant lady - "you play you pay".