Parisians Encouraged to Act “Nicer” Toward Tourists

The city government of Paris is currently campaigning vigorously for Paris natives to try to be nicer to tourists. In the hopes of improving the reputation of the city and its inhabitants, the tourism chiefs have prepared a manual entitled, “Do you speak Touriste.” The manual is a six-page booklet that provides guidelines on the culture and spending habits of foreign nationals, among other things. The manual also contains greetings in eight languages including Chinese, German, and Portuguese.

Parisians who may be a bit reluctant to participate are reminded by the Regional Tourism Committee and the Paris Chamber of Commerce that Paris needs to be more friendly to visitors especially now that London, which is generally friendlier, is posing significant competition to the City of Light.

Be nice

Last year, 29 million foreigners visited Paris. Tourism has always been a top income generating industry in the city. Hotels, museums and restaurants provide one in ten jobs in the region. Paris is a tourist magnet and is a favorite vacation destination of people from many different countries in the world.

The city may have largely positive reviews, but Parisians have the reputation for being rude to visitors or at least haughty when dealing with foreigners and non-French speaking tourists. According to a local tourism chief, French hotel managers, sales staff, waiters, taxi drivers and other service personnel tend to be unhelpful and impolite. Moreover, they are unable (or unwilling) to speak any language other than French.

Baby steps

Now, the French tourism officials are intent on catering to the needs of tourists who want to experience what the City of Light has to offer. Step one is handing out a manual on better etiquette. Around 30,000 copies of the guideline on friendly service are being distributed in establishments along the banks of the Seine to Montmartre. The manual will also be distributed in Fontainebleau and Versailles.

The general director of the Paris area tourist board, Jean-Pierre Blat said that there are codes to take into account when dealing with people of different nationalities. There is a need to adapt, he added. According to Blat, the objective of the current campaign is “to fight against the poor reputation for welcome in Paris and the Paris area.” You don’t welcome a Japanese tourist the same way as an Italian one. There are codes to take into account, so you have to adapt,” Blat continued.

Smile, say hello, shake hands

The manual informs Parisians who may meet Britons that the Queen’s subjects prefer to be called by their first names. The manual also reveals that Americans need to be reassured on prices, are tech-savvy, have dinner by 6 pm and prefer personalized and efficient service. The booklet also insisted that upon being introduced to an Italian national it is customary to shake hands.

In the meantime, more and more Chinese tourists are trooping to the capital of France and the booklet says that they are “fervent shoppers” with an average spending budget of 171 Euros per day. There’s one more tip with regard to Chinese tourists that Parisians are encouraged to perform. Learn how to say “hello” in their language and that would make their day. A smile would be satisfactory to them as well. Here’s one more useful tip. The biggest foreign spenders in Paris are still the Japanese. They will never complain while they are in France but they will express dissatisfaction when they get back home.

Photo Credit: A café at Avenue de la Bourdonnais in Paris