Do's and Do-Not's for Paris

 If you ever plan to travel to Paris, consult this list before you go. You'll thank me later.

Probably my best outfit whilst in France

DO dress your best. If you go out in Paris in anything less than jeans with a nice top, you shall be shunned, or at the very least, mocked. It's true. The day I felt my best was definitely the day that I went to church with Katie. We took a walk along the river and down to the Eiffel Tower right from the cathedral. I was wearing a new dress, stockings with heels, and a belted trench and I felt right gooood. I didn't feel overdressed at all. I felt French Fabulous, even. On that note:

DO NOT DARE leave your hotel in sweatpants. The French probably consider this reasonable justification for homicide. It is possible to be casual while still looking sharp. And for goodness' sake, bathe. Looking sloppy will instantly point you out as an outsider.

That being said, I did see a French-speaking person with a mullet; a woman, no less! So no one's perfect...

DO NOT look people in the eye on the street. According to Katie, this can mean one of two things: 1. That you are insincere/trying to get something out of them, or 2. That you are interested. And I mean interested. This was a problem for me, because I'm a people watcher, even in small spaces like metro cars. I had to quickly avert my eyes on a few occasions to avoid uncomfortable attention.

A gorgeous side street in Montemartre; explore!

DO stray off of the beaten path. Explore the side streets. The further you travel from the tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Sacre Coeur or Notre Dame, the quieter and cheaper things will get. You'll save money and get to interact with actual French people instead of swarms of tourists.

DO learn a few French words and phrases. The French will be nicer to you if you make an effort. I didn't have to do a lot of speaking on my own, since Katie is mercifully fluent and did most of my communicating for me. All I knew when I went were the words "bonjour, merci, s'il vous plait, pardon, excusez-moi, au revoir, oui, and non." Plan to use pardon and excusez-moi a lot in public, when dodging people or bumping into someone. And I successfully ordered a smoothie and a caramel macaroon in French, so it can be done!

DO carry tissues. French restrooms are notorious for being out of toilet paper. I pulled out my Kleenex at least twice for this reason. Hand sanitizer is also a very, very good idea.

DO NOT assume that you won't need sunscreen in April. I found this out the hard way and ended up with a very tender chest area and upper arms. Paris can get hot.

I will add more as I think of them!