…do as the Parisians do and try not to be an “Ugly American”. Or at least that’s what I’m trying to do.

I have really tried not to be the tourist that expects the host country to cater to her. As part of this endeavor, I have been trying to use the little French I know whenever I can. The only problem is, when I’m struggling to say something in French, many people have switched over to English. This is helpful, but not helpful in my goal to learn more French.

Several times people have started talking to me in English before I can even utter a mangled French word. I think it’s because most Parisians can spot me as an American from afar. On my first day at the Paris office, I was at the receptionist’s desk and starting asking for her to call a colleague, but my colleague spotted me before I asked. My colleague, Manoela (who is Brazilian), said that she knew it was me because I looked like an American. I thought it was the way I dress, but Manoela told me that I dress “European” (I think that’s a good thing?); she said it was more that I was so friendly and smiling—Parisians are usually much more serious. I have made it a point to put on my Parisian face and look more serious.

While Manoela’s right that the French do seem more serious (and probably think that there’s something not quite right with me when I go around smiling at strangers), contrary to stereotypes, I’ve found that in general the French people I’ve interacted with have been very friendly and helpful.

One of my first days in Paris I had dinner with another attorney from the Chicago office who was in town for a few days. When I left dinner, I walked confidently in the wrong direction. A few blocks later when I realized my error, I had a map out and was trying to figure out which street of the 7 way intersection I was standing on (note, I realize that holding out a map does not help me blend in no matter how serious I look). A man came up and asked in French if I needed help, then told me in English where I needed to go and walked me half-way there so I wouldn’t go the wrong way. This is just one example where a Parisian has gone out of his way to help me.

Maybe I can do as the Parisians do when I’m back in Chicago; I’m going to try to be more helpful to tourists and do my little part to improve foreigners’ views of Americans.