Round number 7! I have been living in Paris for almost 3 years. It feels like a blink of the eye. Anyways, here are some more impressions of Paris from an Anglophone immigrant’s perspective.
Un: Complain out loud
Quite literately, people exclaim out loud random things like:
- “O la la, the road is yours. Walk everywhere…”
- “Watch where you’re going, @#!$#$…”
- “O la la, the queue is so long. How long will it take…” (mean while, it’s only 6 people in front)
The highlight here is “O la la” seems to be an important part of the routine wahahhaah. This sort of thing is probably common in most large city, but being shouted at in French sounds a whole lot more poetic *LOL*
Deux: Local ID card is surprisingly low tech
Like no barcode, no chip, no nothing sort of low tech. At first, I thought it was my husband’s one that’s old, but after a while, I’ve seen other people’s. It is rather ironic, because it is lower tech than the imigrant’s cards *LOL*
Trois: Amazing public libraries
Yup, this is not a private library. There are many libraries in Paris that are museum worthy. Paris is just too beautiful.
Quatre: Apartments from older / shorter buildings are more valuable than the ones in big blocks
This is kind of counter intuitive. It turns out the more “modern” looking ones are the cheaper ones. Also, the bigger the building (more units), the cheaper the SQM price. Please note I am referring to the selling price only and not the rental price.
Cinq: Baguette’s recipe is restricted by law
The length, width and weight must meet the legal standard. Even the type of flour is specified under this law known as Le Décret Pain – 1993. Under this law, only 4 ingredients are allowed:
- wheat flour
- water
- salt
- yeast
No preservatives, no other additives are allowed, hence baguettes go stale / bad / hard within a day. No pre-made dough is allowed either. So freshly made is the only way to go. On top of that, it must be made AT SITE in order to qualify… French baguettes are amazing.
Respect the baguette!
Six: 70% to 80% of all jobs are not available to the public
I hope this is not true, but I’ve been told this by 3 different French teachers already. Basically, if you don’t know anyone over here, it is impossible to get a full time job. It is definitely more of a who you know is more important than what you know. Anyways, I have not given up in finding a job in France quite yet.
Sept: Easy to set up your own business
There’s a business status called “Auto-entrepreneur” in France. It can be done online! I have registered myself as a photography / social media business. If you’re looking to get your photos taken in Paris, remember to call me up! 😉
If you’re looking to register your own business, here’s the link:
https://www.autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr/portail/accueil/gerer-mon-auto-entreprise.html
Huit: Reference number is required for large trash
If the trash is a piece of furniture or something big, one has to make an appointment with the respective district. This way, you’ll obtain a reference number for the district office to pick up the large item. Otherwise, no one will pick up your trash!!!
The correct search keywords are <Enlèvement des encombrants> + your district number (e.g. Paris 1)
Neuf: Need a new “Titre de Séjour” (ID card for foreigners) when you change your address
I kid you not, each time you change your address, it is necessary to go to the police station to change a card. It cost 19 euro each time and the waiting time is 4 weeks (for me at least).
Dix: 2 “save the date” for French weddings
The legal marriage papers have to be done at the city hall, so it is physically possible to have 2 different dates for the wedding party and the legal part. It also means that being invited to the legal part is not the same as being invited to the wedding party.
So that’s it folks, that’s my 10 for this round of impressions of Paris. What’s your impression of Paris?
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