Some Thoughts

I speak for myself and what I've observed over the past few days.
It's a very short amount of time. And definitely not alot of interaction.
So...it's just my two cents worth.

Attitudes
I find it unnerving that I have met many rude service people.
By service people I mean, the hotel staff at the concierge, the staff at the hospitality desk, the guy manning the kebab stall, the waitress serving drinks at the cocktail reception.

Rude and disinterested. No smiles, nothing. And they try to brush you off.
Am not sure if it is a general attitude problem. Or cos I'm Asian.

I usually feel pissed off when I meet one of such buggers.
And then I walk off and somewhere later in the day, I meet with the other kind of Parisian - the friendly one.

I was sitting on the steps of a building with my map spread out in front of me when a French middle-aged guy came over and asked "Are you japanese?? I was born in Tokyo!"
When he found out I was frm Singapore, he got excited and said "Ni Hao Ma?" hahaa...
There were other instances when people see me with a map and approach me to see if I need help with directions.

Romance
To say that French people are romantic is probably true.
You see couples just standing in the middle of the pathway canoodling with each other, kissing and hugging...And others don'tbat an eyelid.
You see happy couples enjoying a cuppa together, in a cafe, in each others' embrace.

Hug and kiss in public in SG and you'll get labelled as one who enjoys engaging in public displays of affection.

Arty
Lots of arty people around. But I guess this is cos of the country's culture...
Was just walking along the streets one day when there were 3 young guys busking...probably in their early 20s.
And boy were they good. One on the clarinet, one on the violin and one on the cello.
And they played classic pieces..Ave Maria and Pachelbel were amongst those which I recognised.

There were many people in the Lourve armed with sketch books, sitting in front of statues and sketching out what they see..

There are lots and lots of theatres around. Showing local French films, showing Opera, mime, etc.

There are also many bookstores and huge stores selling painting accessories. One store selling painting accessories can be as big as one floor of a BHG in Bugis.

Fashion
Shoes sold here are really "orbiang". Clothes are so-so...of cos the nice ones are simply unaffordable. One skirt for $200 SGD? shopping is out of the question here hahaa.
Though I managed to get a singlet for $5 euro i.e. $12 SGD.

People dress normally. Nothing so very fashionable or what. I think the Japanese dress better.
Even in the fashion district where all the mega stores are...people still dress normally haha.

Cars & Traffic
Lots of Peugeots, Renaults and Citroens around. Seeing a Toyota or a Mitsubishi is really a rare sight!

The traffic lights turn red or green with no warning.
Similarly, the red man changes to green with no warning...there's no blinking before it changes or what...

Speech
When they speak in French, they sound nice. When they speak in English, it sounds even better!! haha.... ;p
The French tongue has a very nice way of lolling its way around English syllables...the words come out sounding litlted, pretty and altogether very different!