CultureShock! Paris

Frances Gendlin

Description

CultureShock! Paris is the indispensable guide for anyone planning a stay in the City of Light. Let Frances Gendlin, whose Parisian insider knowledge and non-native perspective are invaluable, take you through the process of settling in, whether for short or longer stays. From finding your own pied-a-terre and navigating French bureaucracy to discussing haute cuisine and French wines, all the practical information you need will be at your fingertips. As a guest in France, should you kiss your host or shake his hand? Is it rude to be late or rude to be early for a party? And what about meeting the French and making friends? If you're lucky enough to find yourself in this exquisite and sophisticated city, get the most out of your stay by learning from this essential and fun-to-read guide!

Sujets

• France

Informations

• Publié par: MarshallCavendishM
• Date de parution: 20 août 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789814435598
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

This 3rd edition published in 2011 by: Marshall Cavendish Corporation 99 White Plains Road Tarrytown, NY 10591-9001 www.marshallcavendish.us
First published in 1998 by Times Editions Private Limited, reprinted in 1999, 2000, 2001; 2nd edition published by Marshall Cavendish Corporation in 2007, reprinted 2008.
Text Copyright Frances Gendlin Design Copyright Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail]
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no events be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices:
Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited. 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196 Marshall Cavendish International. PO Box 65829, London EC1P 1NY, UK Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
eISBN: 978 981 4435 59 8
Please contact the publisher for the Library of Congress catalogue number
Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd
Photo Credits:
Black and white photos from Zeny Cieslikowski: pages xii, 7, 22, 32, 98, 158, 202, 212, 221, 224, 228, 244, 275; Photolibrary: pages xiii, 60, 71, 112, 134, 170, 175, 260, 269, 289, 305. Colour photos from Photolibrary.
Cover photo: Photolibrary
All illustrations by TRIGG, except pages 20,23 (John Zaugg).
ABOUT THE SERIES
Culture shock is a state of disorientation that can come over anyone who has been thrust into unknown surroundings, away from one s comfort zone. CultureShock! is a series of trusted and reputed guides which has, for decades, been helping expatriates and long-term visitors to cushion the impact of culture shock whenever they move to a new country.
Written by people who have lived in the country and experienced culture shock themselves, the authors share all the information necessary for anyone to cope with these feelings of disorientation more effectively. The guides are written in a style that is easy to read and covers a range of topics that will arm readers with enough advice, hints and tips to make their lives as normal as possible again.
Each book is structured in the same manner. It begins with the first impressions that visitors will have of that city or country. To understand a culture, one must first understand the people-where they came from, who they are, the values and traditions they live by, as well as their customs and etiquette. This is covered in the first half of the book.
Then on with the practical aspects-how to settle in with the greatest of ease. Authors walk readers through topics such as how to find accommodation, get the utilities and telecommunications up and running, enrol the children in school and keep in the pink of health. But that s not all. Once the essentials are out of the way, venture out and try the food, enjoy more of the culture and travel to other areas. Then be immersed in the language of the country before discovering more about the business side of things.
To round off, snippets of basic information are offered before readers are tested on customs and etiquette of the country. Useful words and phrases, a comprehensive resource guide and list of books for further research are also included for easy reference.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Map of France
Chapter 1
Impressions
Chapter 2
Overview
Past and Present Entwined
Paris Now: The City As it Is
Chapter 3
Meeting the Parisians
Answers Still Exist
Getting Started
Chapter 4
Socialising with the Locals
Breaking Down Their Reserve
A Parisian Friend
The Art of Conversation
In a Parisian Home
Chapter 5
Settling In
Formalities for Residence
Finding Your Parisian Nest
Furnished Apartments
Unfurnished Apartments
Purchasing an Apartment
Moving Your Belongings
Settling Into Your Home
A Child s World
To Your Good Health!
Managing Your Money
Staying in Touch
Out and About
The Call of Nature
Safety
The Student Life
Housing
Students and RATP
Chapter 6
The World Capital of Food
French Cuisine
The Menu
The Agreeable Search
Recommendations
Eating In
Eating Out At Home
Bakeries
Fish
Specialty Foods
Meat Markets
Fromageries
Tea and Coffee
Chocolates
Wine
Champagne
Chapter 7
Enjoying Paris
Paris, Any Time of the Day
Finding Out What s New
Paris Itself
Monuments and More
The Greatest Art
Ticket Purchase
Theatre
Cinema
Music
Dance
Nightlife
And All That Jazz...
The Gay and Lesbian Scene
Day Trips Throughout the Paris Area
Keeping Fit
Shopping
Bookshops
Computers
Cosmetics/Perfumes
Flowers/Plants
Home Furnishings
Hair and Beauty Services
Laundry and Dry Cleaning
Optical Services
Annual Festivals and Holidays
Chapter 8
Parlez-vous Fran ais?
The French Academy
History of French
Language Schools
Getting Started... Some
Pronunciation Hints
Chapter 9
Minding Your Business
The European Union
The French Economy
Paris Business Scene
French Business Information
Assistance for Anglophones
Chambers of Commerce
Legal Forms of Enterprise
Attorneys and Expert Help
The Labour Pool
Business Atmosphere
Networking
Offfice Space
The Job Hunt
Work for EU Nationals
Work Permits for non-EU Citizens
Permits and Contracts
Looking for a Job
The Job Search in Paris
Teaching
Student Work Permits
Au Pair Work
Chapter 10
Fast Facts
Famous People
The Use of Abbreviations
Culture Quiz
Do s and Don ts
Glossary
Resource Guide
Further Reading
About the Author
Index
FOREWORD
Fluctuat nec mergitur -It tosses on the waves but does not sink. -Paris motto



This book is designed for anyone who loves Paris. Loving Paris is not hard, as even cold statistics attest, for each year it is rated as the most visited city in the world. It s true that many world capitals have ardent admirers, but there seems to be something unique, something almost palpable about Paris that inspires love. It s not about you or me, this love, nor about anyone else; it is about the city itself and how being here makes us feel about our own lives. But why Paris? Certainly its charms are not unique. Rome is as historic and Venice as beautiful, Hong Kong is as bold and Marrakech as exotic. But somehow Paris has it all, including an ability to insinuate itself into our souls, demanding so much of us-and giving so much in return. Yet the spirit of this magnetic city is hard to convey: its impressions are so personal and its offerings so varied that each person who arrives for the first time ultimately seems to discover it anew. Perhaps it s best that way.
A tourist who comes to Paris for a week or two is fortunate, to be sure. There is so much atmosphere to soak up in the city s streets and there are historical monuments to stop and admire, outstanding works of art to appreciate and parks landscaped so beautifully that they take one s breath away. And what about the food and the wine? There are too many opportunities and not enough time. Yes, such visits are necessarily short, so before departure, before anything can be forgotten, people often jot down in the back of their guidebooks the museums to include for the next visit, a few restaurants to recommend to friends and which neighbourhoods remain to be explored. Unfortunately, these must be left until the next time.
So imagine, as many tourists do, actually living in Paris-having the Louvre nearby every day of the year and the world s temples of gastronomy to satisfy any culinary whim... how wonderful that must be! Fortunately, life here is as good as one imagines, even if few residents go to museums every day or-if they are at all concerned about their budgets-frequent restaurants on a daily basis. Yet Paris truly is a city in which it is ultimately better to live than visit-for the reasons above to be sure, but also for deeper, more lasting reasons that are understood little by little, as life in La Ville Lumi re (the City of Light) unfolds. Immersion into any new culture takes some effort, but this is Paris after all, the most entrancing-and yes, romantic-city in the world and worth whatever effort it takes.
Think of the thousands who have come before who thought the same. Pablo Picasso painted his masterpiece Guernica while living on rue des Grands-Augustins, around the corner from rue Christine, where the American writer Gertrude Stein lived for a time. Farther north, at Square d Orl ans, the Polish composer Fr d ric Chopin settled near his lover, writer George Sand. Artist Amadeo Modigliani, the king of Montparnasse , died young and broke in Paris, but composer Virgil Thompson (who claimed that if he had to starve to death, he would prefer to do it where the food was so good) found fame in time. Ultimately it was Ernest Hemingway who summed it up: There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other... Paris was always worth it and you r