After returning from Paris, I have been reflecting on many of my experiences. I have been recently thinking on how many people in the city kept to themselves, or were generally polite but not much more. Usually on the metro or in cafes, many people would do their own thing while you would do yours. Upon returning to America, I had so many people interacting and engaging with me– whether it was for conversation, or for directions, or anything.
I personally did not mind that everyone was living their own life, but it did make me realize how a huge can city can also feel so small or overwhelming as well. The Parisians are very polite and kind when you are respectful to them, but they are all busy people and may not share their opinions with everyone they interact with. It made me realize just how ‘open’ of a culture America truly has, one where politeness means a certain level of interaction that needs to be achieved to be considered pleasurable. Meanwhile, French culture is not impolite- their bar for what counts as a polite interaction just does not include as much conversation, or questions. They are about speed and politeness in language rather than the time spent on someone. I also think that due to Paris being a huge city (and not having lived in a big city before), the politeness and general attitudes were just different. I’ve lived in the South my whole life, where people are very welcoming and talkative. This was so different in Paris, and I definitely felt the shock of it coming back to the states. Nonetheless, I enjoyed being in a city where everyone is simply continuing with their lives and being polite. This experience really informed me just how much I enjoy a large city, value politeness, and also how to understand culture differences.
I think a Parisian would note that their version of polite simply differs from an American’s, and would claim that everyone does not need to know everyone else’s business… in fact, my Parisian teacher told this to the class! Since I’ve been to Paris before, I expected this attitude, but it was a good reminder to me that cultures have different ways of interacting on daily levels. It taught me to just be understanding to whoever I’m interacting with, and that politeness can be verbal and that’s important. I also realized that I must always try to engage with a culture, no matter how different it may be from my own.
After leaving Paris, I’m largely missing the city culture and French food! I also find that I miss the speed in which Parisians move with their lives, while at the same time appreciating the pleasures they have around them. I will forever be grateful for my experience in Paris, France, and the memories I made there and as I traveled around Europe over the last five months!