It’s easy to get your hands on books about life in Paris from the foreigner’s perspective– the colorful characters every new expat inevitably encounters, the linguistic struggles and the trammels of French administration which seem almost like a strategy to weed out the unorganized and panic prone who can’t handle the never-ending red tape. It’s harder, however, to find stories that really address what integrating into Paris life really entails and what being a Parisian is all about.
The stories of stepping in dog doo doo and accidentally using the word préservatif (condom) when speaking about food preservatives at a dinner party are banal and tiresome. We’re almost all ignored and/or walked on by the French in the beginning, then become resilient and eventually experience a moment of vindication where the language gods heed our cries and allow the right words to exit our mouths at the right time aimed at the old French curmudgeon who berated us for so long for mispronouncing a word. These incidents were amusing in the beginning but have lost their punch.
But for those of you who want an insider’s perspective on Parisians as a species of their own (because they are) that will have you nodding your head and laughing page by page– from their virtues to their flaws, their interests to their world-renowned style – you don’t have to look much further than Caroline Rochet, a Parisian journalist for Marie-Claire magazine and author of How to (not) become Parisian.
For Caroline, being Parisian is a state of mind. More than that, it requires a thorough understanding of the Parisian mentality (blasé yet culturally curious, insatiably dissatisfied and constantly overbooked) and tips in order to truly adapt to the lifestyle. Yes, it takes a lot of work and effort to be the uncontested purveyors of good taste and elegance – so much so that Caroline knew there’d be enough material to create a guide. In 8 chapters, she dissects the idiosyncrasies and contradictions of les Parisiens with the kind of self-deprecating humor that has garnered Woody Allen a permanent comedic place in French hearts (along with Jerry Lewis).
Not only was I nodding my head in agreement while giggling as she accurately described Parisian philosophies – my favorite: going out on Sundays (“I have to make the most of my city, I’m not going stay home and do nothing, I’m sociable, cultivated and trendy – not like those poor country folk who can’t do anything over the weekend, how embarrassing it would be not to do anything on Sunday as though I don’t have a life!”) but I also found myself realizing that I exhibit many traits, both good and bad, of a Parisian. Waves of complacency, neutral sartorial color palette, café terrace fanaticism, reticent curiosity and epicurean finesse all have become somewhat ingrained into my way of being.
Rochet goes beyond discussing Parisian elegance and snobbism providing insight into some of the more unexplored mysteries of their lifestyle. Why don’t Parisians say hello or speak to their neighbors, especially those that live on the same floor? What days of the week do the Parisians go out? (everyday). How do you find a taxi in this city? What makes a Parisian different from any other French person?
Through interviews with influential urbanites and wry, in-depth analyses ranging from their relationships and preferred methods of travel to their typical vacations and hot spots throughout the city, Rochet arms every reader with the tool kit to become just un peu plus Parisien.
About Caroline Rochet: Long-time journalist for Marie-Claire magazine, Caroline admits to being both impassioned and horrified by her beloved city of Paris. This book is the culmination of 30 years of intense study and unlikely encounters experience day and night in the other city that never sleeps.
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GIVEAWAY: Caroline and her lovely publishing company, Leducs Editions, were kind enough to send me 3(!!) copies of her book to giveaway on my blog! Yes, the book is written in French BUT she did let me in on her editor’s plans to have it translated into English and published in New York and London. In the meantime, wouldn’t it be nice to win the ultimate Parisian guide and practice your French?
How to enter: leave a comment below with a question you’ve been dying to have answered about Parisians and why you’d like to win a copy of this book! Be sure to leave your email address when leaving a comment so I may contact you if you win!
For an extra entry: Follow me on twitter (@LostNCheeseland) and tweet this post! Be sure to include my twitter name in your tweet so that I know you’ve posted it.
I will choose 3 winners at random on September 30th so be sure to check back! And if you weren’t in the lucky 3, don’t worry. My gal Shannon will be giving away a copy on her blog very soon!
Un grand merci à Caroline – c’était un véritable plaisir de lire son roman et un jour, j’espère pouvoir le relire en anglais! Bon courage à tous!
