Work transfer to Paris

[DuffMan]

I had the Stella Artois commercial running through my head when I read this, and want to move to France also.

[3 Justin 3]

Learn French like right now. Parisians are THE most stuck-up buttholes on the earth if you don't speak their language. At least learn the bare minimum.

And make sure you find all the cheap places. Buying water for $8 is ridiculous.

[sa226]

It might have been just where I was for my short stay

but a 5 in Paris is like an easy 8 here......

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Learn French like right now. Parisians are THE most stuck-up buttholes on the earth if you don't speak their language. At least learn the bare minimum.

Way to ignore reading any other posts in the thread! And you're wrong, Parisians speak a good amount of English, much like every other country.

You want stuck up francophones, visit Quebec

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Way to ignore reading any other posts in the thread! And you're wrong, Parisians speak a good amount of English, much like every other country.

You want stuck up francophones, visit Quebec

I didn't say they didn't speak English. I said they are stuck-up.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I didn't say they didn't speak English. I said they are stuck-up.

And I say you're wrong.


Subjective facts are fun facts!

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Learn French like right now. Parisians are THE most stuck-up buttholes on the earth if you don't speak their language. At least learn the bare minimum.

I was expecting the same but I quickly found that Parisians were no more or less rude than anyone else in western Europe. If I was polite, they were normally polite back regardless if I was speaking french or english. As long as I don't have an arrogant tone, I've yet to have a problem anywhere in the world.

The people that work at SNCF, however, are the worst people in the country.

[CaptainCrunch]

Don't worry about bathing, people in france feel that its a total waste of time.

[COGENT]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I was expecting the same but I quickly found that Parisians were no more or less rude than anyone else in western Europe. If I was polite, they were normally polite back regardless if I was speaking french or english. As long as I don't have an arrogant tone, I've yet to have a problem anywhere in the world.

I agree. I found if you at least attempted to speak french right off the get go they are very willing to speak english to their best ability. Trying and sounding like an idiot goes a lot further then just expecting them to know your language in their country.

OP - Do it, you won't regret it. My one bit of advice from my stint of living over seas would be to try to gain some friends that are actually Parisians rather than a bunch of other Americans living in France. It will make your experience so much better.

[iamca]

Yes, I have spent quite a bit of time in Paris.

You'll want to get yourself a Metro pass.

The Metro subway system is a great way to explore the area and it's the most economical. The trains can get a little ripe in the summer with some Parisians refusing to move to cotton fabrics and a lot sticking with wool all year. If you haven't been before, you have to realize that you are in the fashion capital and a lot of Parisians take it to heart.

If you wear any sort of tennis/running shoes on the weekend or your off days, that's an immediate tip off that you are probably from the States or at least North America.

There are so many good restaurants that you couldn't possibly check them out in 2 years. Don't choose any right off the Champs Elysees or you'll overpay and not get great food. Go where the locals go to eat lunch and dinner. Some of my favorites are the neighborhood Patisserie's (Bakeries). You'll find a ton that are awesome for breakfast (quiche or fruit pastrie) and getting the best bread you've ever had, but alot of these local neighborhood shops also have wonderful homemade items for lunch as well.

I know several folks have metioned it, but you should learn as much French as you can. I had an advantage because I went to bilingual school growing up in Calgary. I could go anywhere in the region and not have to speak english, but the best part was being able to understand what people were talking about on the street, in stores, elevators, etc... Starting out speaking French in shops, restaurants, etc...you will get treated a little better.

During all the business and pleasure time I spent there, I only ran into 2 a-holes, and you could run into that anywhere.

It's a great city to explore on foot as well, but it's huge so a combo of the Metro and walking works really well.

I have a much better appreciation for the arts and history after visiting and revisiting many museums, churches, historical landmarks, galleries, etc... The big museums take repeat visits (better over the course several months) or you'll get burned out and not appreciate what's in front of you.

It's a little expensive overall, but there are good ways to save if you follow some of the locals, get some hints from your coworkers, or read a budget guide to Paris.

It's a great city with a ton of incredible history, so enjoy!

[djwazzy]

Originally Posted by iamca

It's a great city with a ton of incredible history, so enjoy!

That's a ton of great info, thanks iamca!

[iamca]

Originally Posted by djwazzy

That's a ton of great info, thanks iamca!

Np problem djwazzy...typing that up made me want to head back to Paris. It's a great opportunity for you, but if you're like me you'll miss watching live and/or live broadcast hockey. I was starved for hockey coverage 2 seasons ago while in Paris, but I was on Calgarypuck a lot.

The sports scene is much different. Of course soccer is huge and Formula 1 is also really popular. Tennis and the French Open is huge during May. I got to play tennis on a clay court at a small University in Versaille for the first time and it was pretty cool. Le Tour is huge and there is a lot of cycling fans in Paris and all over France for that matter.

Do you know when you might start work there?

[djwazzy]

Looks like I'd be starting beginning of June. I'd love to see the French Open and the Tour but I'm sure going to miss watching the Flames and hockey in general. Hopefully there's some soft of European Centre Ice deal available. I'll have to look into that... priorities!

[ricosuave]

Wow. Lucky!

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Parisians are THE most stuck-up buttholes on the earth if you don't speak their language.

Mrs. Furnace was born there and when we visit tells me some of the things people are saying about others and they don't discriminate. SOME Parisians, like SOME people in other major cosmopolitan cities, are just stuck up period and it doesn't matter if you're a "fataing American" or a "fataing Italian" or a "fataing Japanese". Hell they're rude to each other at times so don't feel singled out.

Having said that, in the half dozen times I've been to the city I have never felt I was particularly looked down upon or belittled or treated poorly. My French is not much past Sesame Street level so I can't really converse, just fake it a lot.

It's like anywhere else I've visited, treat everyone with respect and you'll be ok. Hell, I've even seen Parisians on the street actually HELPING tourists find their way. The Parisian "rudeness" is pretty much hyperbole.

And make sure you find all the cheap places. Buying water for $8 is ridiculous.

I have never seen water for $8, you must run in some pretty high end circles.

djwazzy, if you have any questions feel free to PM.

[Sluggo]

I would get the hours you will work if transferred in writing. My uncle was transferred over there for 4 months and they were working him for 80 + hours a week he barely had a chance to see the city. There is a loophole in the local labor laws where if you are not a French national none of the labor laws apply to you.

Edit: This was around 10 years ago things might have changed since then.

[ShaolinFlame]

Do you work for Total?

I may be assisting with your move!

[Young-Sneezy]

I lived in Paris last year while i did a Transfer for University and it was probably the greatest experience ive ever had.

I lived just across the seine from the Louvre in between saint germain des pres and Rivoli.

When I decided to go i made a super rash decision and just up and left when i got the acceptance from the University.... I really had no idea what i was getting into, and being 22 moving to Paris, speaking no french, not having seen my apartment, knowing where i was living, knowing a single person in the entire city, or knowing a speck of anything Parisian, i was able to integrate myself with relative ease.

One thing i would do if i wasnt going there to go to University, which made meeting people pretty easy, would be to get into tons of extra curricular activities with co-workers etc. For myself, that was the part that made my experience amazing.

After actually living there, having an apartment, grocery shopping etc...i would move back to work in a heartbeat. Makesure you check out your apartment and knowt he area its in and remember a few things...

- people will be dicks everywhere in the world...paris is no different..there are nice people, and asshats..
- Things are more expensive...its europe...your getting an amazing experience and culturally enriching experience as a substitute...
- You will have days when you freak out and it gets overwhelming.. (re: standing outside a cell phone store and being speechless at what ive gotten myself into)
- it wont kill you
- future employeers will love it

and above all...when are you going to have another opportunity to do it? ill bet never. I had 1 opportunity in University, grabbed it, ran with it, and it has literally been the best memory of my life since.

bottom line. do it.

[3 Justin 3]

The Metro is awesome. Homeless looking guys will sit across from you and spill there beer all over them selves. And then when they look at you, you'll nod and give an expression like "well crap happens". Then he'll slap you on your knee and give an expression of "aww shucks".

[valo403]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

The Metro is awesome. Homeless looking guys will sit across from you and spill there beer all over them selves. And then when they look at you, you'll nod and give an expression like "well crap happens". Then he'll slap you on your knee and give an expression of "aww shucks".

And sometimes you will get offered a swig of whiskey. Go for it, definitely started my night down an interesting path.