1. Un: Learn to love food (as if you already don’t)
If you somehow don’t already love food, start to be open to it! Your palette is going to have to change from salty poutine to raw meats and unexpected dishes when ordering something in a restaurant. Get used to asking for the cheque! Even when waiters see you are clearly done your food, they will let you sit there until you ask them for the (not so) tiny piece of paper. If you’re feeling homesick you can visit The Great Canadian Pub by Notre Dame and satisfy those poutine cravings!
2. Deux: Your vocabulary will change!
Accept it. Your English will begin to slowly alter and you need to speak French. Words you once knew how to spell will be replaced by their French counterpart and you will use French words in English that you never even knew existed. For example: Does group have an «e» at the end? Since when do I «ameliorate» my life? Why does «okay» now sound like «okie» coming out of my mouth?
Also, English words are commonly used as French words: «Le Weekend» is conventional and nobody says «la fin-de-semaine» unless they are literally talking about the end of the week. On an odd occasion you hear «si» being used to say yes and «un hamburger» does not have an alternate ‘proper’ name
3. Trois: Romance
Along with your love of domestic animals, backyards and paved roads, leave the idea of Parisian romance back at home. The «City of Lights» is prominently viewed as romantic only to tourists. This isn’t because the Eiffel Tower isn’t beautiful at night or due to the romantic strolls you can take along the Champs Elysées, but a stereotypical French romance is sabotaged by the smell of urine, alcohol and smoke everywhere you go.
4. Quatre: Fashion
Shopping! (Pack your nicest clothes, you’ll be needing them). If you wear navy blue, white, black or grey ALL THE TIME, you’re set! Dressing poorly is no option in the city and you will never see someone that isn’t homeless wearing sweatpants in public – I honestly don’t even know where they sell them. But! Despite trying to look good, refrain from piling on the makeup; a natural look is the norm and this includes bras (or the lack of). Don’t leave your Yankees or Leafs hat at home! It is normal to dress in «American fashion» because that’s what’s currently in style. Switch out those low v-necks with basic tees, invest in a fashionable scarf or jeans and the locals won’t doubt you for a minute.
5. Cinq: Don’t be so nice!
In Europe it is common for men to stare at women and it is culturally acceptable. Yes, it sucks and makes everyone feel uncomfortable but to avoid the creepos from talking to you follow two rules: walk quickly and do not make eye contact. That nice smile of yours will have to hide while you pass people on the street, stand in the metro and do not accept random gifts on the street – you will literally have to pay for them.
6. Six: Metro
Switching from Canadian to French metro systems is quite overwhelming. There are over 14 metro lines in Paris so get used to the metro taking you to the doorstep of your location, switching between multiple lines in one trip or getting off and walking a bit. Taxis are pricey so unless you’re splitting the fare with 2-3 friends, head home before the Metro closes, take an Uber or stay out late enough to catch the metro when it opens in the morning ;)
7. Sept: Be ready to debate
The French love to debate! No matter what you say, be ready to defend your point of view or fight the negative perspective. You may not be wrong, but don’t tell them that ;)
8. Huit: Become accustomed to different hours
From around 4pm-8pm a lot of stores and restaurants close! So just around the time you would be used to shopping on a relaxing Saturday, you can’t. It is common in other countries, such as Greece, where it’s too hot at those times for everyone to be out! Also, get used to doing outdoor activities or nothing on Sundays because pretty much everything is closed. Walking the streets anywhere in Paris is very different when museums, restaurants, stores and cafes are not bustling with people.
9. Neuf: Stop mentally converting your money
One of the biggest issues when moving or traveling to another country is comparing their currency with your currency back home. Everything in Paris is expensive and it’s going to hit you HARD. Here are some examples:
Big Mac at McDonalds — Canada: $9.00 Paris: $11.76 (8.00 €)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant — Canada: $15.00 Paris: $19.11 (13.00 €)
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) — Canada: $1.91 Paris: $4.76 (3.24 €)
Beef Ground (1kg) — Canada: $14.80 Paris: $30.73 (20.91 €)
Banana (1kg) — Canada: $1.60 Paris: $2.92(1.99 €)
Local Cheese (1kg) — Canada: $12.12 Paris: $22.74 (15.47 €)
More: Coffee, water, eggs, taxis, gas, clothes
But a lot of things are cheaper too!
Milk (regular), (1 liter) — Canada: $2.23 Paris: $1.53 (1.04 €)
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) — Canada: $12.00 Paris: $10.29 (7.00 €)
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) — Canada: $3.00 Paris: $2.65 (1.80 €)
Lettuce (1 head) — Canada: $2.06 Paris: $1.67(1.14 €)
More: bread, rice, potatoes, wine, mobile plan, internet
10. Dix: Phones and Internet
It seems as if they’ve made a mistake! Although your iPhone or Android will stick out like a sore thumb among the LG Rumors, small Nokias and flip phones, the prices stay cheap. You can get a sim card for €10 and a simple plan for €2 or a €20 plan with 5GB (yes, GB) of data, unlimited calls to anywhere you’d want to call (including Canada!), free wifi in all of Paris, unlimited texts to French numbers and more! Goodbye expensive commitments to Rogers or Bell, and hello to Free Mobile!