Weird things Parisians do

Weird things Parisians do

It’s been said that we are all a little weird and life is itself a little weird. It’s very easy to claim that one person has peculiar habits and traits, especially if you come from a different environment and culture. Our world is gigantic, with many different cities and many different habits and lifestyles! That’s what makes travelling so much fun: the constant discovery of different cultures and customs. These weird traits give each one of us an identity and just like Dr. Seuss once said “I am weird, you are weird. Everyone in this world is weird!”.

Paris is a beautiful city with timeless history. Apart from its great landmarks and its history, it’s its people that makes it unique. Its inhabitants have a very uncommon lifestyle. Their minds are fearless, daring and authentic, and they are quite fun to hang out with. So, parisians can be said to be kind of weird for many reasons. Let’s find out if you are as weird as parisians. Here is a list of weird things Parisians do.

Say some inaudible words in the middle of a sentence

Well firstly, when talking to any Parisian, be warned that they make random unnecessary pauses and connections in between their sentences while narrating an experience. This is one of the weird things Parisians do! Parisians talk fast, and they make no effort when talking english. On top of that, they say some weird words in the middle of their sentences, such as “genre“, “bah“, “‘fin“,… When they’re talking english, they’re still thinking in french. So their inner self is struggling against french. But, you have to forgive them, because they have the sexiest accent on earth!

In case you’re practicing your french with Parisians, you need to be prepared because these kind of words will be increasingly present in the conversation. You will need to be all ears and pay close attention. Furthermore, interjections such as “genre“, “bah“, “‘fin” can’t be found in any small French Language handbook.

Cherish the baguette

Bread is kind of a big deal in France. Bread in Paris is a way of life! The countless crafted oven baked breads are sold and seen almost everywhere! The baguette has become a French symbol because of its popularity with the locals. Parisians are very particular and picky of what they eat, but baguette is never a debate! Their daily meals always go with a piece of baguette. They also do some weird things with it such as dipping it in their coffee or their tea, and after finishing their meal, cleaning the sauce off the plate with it.

Complaining is their favourite hobby

Another weird things Parisians do is the art of complaining. Many strikes and demonstrations happen every year, because Parisians are people who are clearly not afraid to express their thoughts! Parisians love to complain, and they share their love for it all day, all night, every day, all around the city (joking!). Whether it’s about the metro taking too long to come, or the cyclist who didn’t stop at the red light, anything can be a good reason to complain. It is also an unavoidable situation because Parisians like to talk a lot. However, they tend to move on and forget quickly the reason why they were complaining, waiting for another opportunity to argue again.

These annoying whinning creatures are also the kindest, sweetest, and most honest persons you’ll meet. We love them because they’re the kind of people who will tell you a compliment out of nowhere.

Staring

One of the weird things Parisians do is stare openly. Don’t be alarmed or affronted when you find yourself having a “stare-down” with a fellow Parisian in the metro or in the café. Think of it as a bizarre form of communication for the Parisians.

Crossing at their own risk

Parisians love to live dangerously. Another weird thing Parisian do is crossing the street while cars are coming. Parisians really don’t mind the traffic lights. They are restless and fearless, so if they think they have enough time to cross the street while cars are coming, they really can.

I don’t encourage you to do the same. But it’s definitely one of the weird things Parisians do.

Not Smiling

This section is actually about something they DO NOT do, which is smiling. Indeed, Parisians are not very smiley people. But you know what melts their hearts? A cute kid or a pet. Parisians are passionate and honest people! And some things can completely trigger an explosion of happiness and cheers, and remove the cold look off their faces!

Have a coffee on the street

Parisian streets are particularly small but this does not hinder the locals from sitting on the streets to have breakfast, lunch, dinner or a simple drink. This is one of their favourite things to do in their spare time, especially in the summer. So, many cafés extend their terraces on to the street. So if you happen to be passing by a small crowded street, have in mind that it is a normal thing in Paris.

Furthermore, the customers at the café tend to sit in “comfortable” arrangements for the sole purpose of gossiping and observing fellow pedestrians, so it tends to be noisy as well. Parisians being huge smokers, they generally prefer these cafés to closed restaurants. It’s part of the Parisian lifestyle. It might sound weird for some of you, but hanging out in the cafés arranegments is very common in Paris. And while in Paris, you should try to spend some time with locals at the café, to fully enjoy the Parisian experience.

Voilà! These are some of the weird things Parisians do. Hope it gives you some foresight on what to expect when you’re coming to Paris. Each person is unique and weird in its own way. We all have qualities and flaws, that’s what makes us unique and interesting human beings. Never forget that someone’s weirdness is another person’s norm! So, embrace your weirdness.

If more weird things parisians do come to your mind, feel free to share! :)