Living in Paris! Anyone lived there?

[Slog]

So around this time next year I might be moving to Paris for a year and a half or so. Still not finalised but it is one of the solid options

Not sure whether there's any PPers who've lived there but I'm sure there must be atleast a few who have toured it .

If yes how was your experience?

How is it living there as a Pakistani? To be honest I'm not conservative and tend to like to live with locals and experience the local culture if I'm anywhere so I'm not particularly bothered if there isn't any desi community.

But obviously language will be an issue. Are the locals welcoming and friendly like you find in the US?

Overall just share your experiences of Paris.

Also I don't have any clue how similar it is living among major European cities outside of UK so if it is similar do let me know what is similar.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I've visited Paris on a few occasions and have know people who live there. They are used to the city and have no issues living there but personally I find the French not has friendly as the British and dont like the city or country over all.

 

[msb314]

So around this time next year I might be moving to Paris for a year and a half or so. Still not finalised but it is one of the solid options

Not sure whether there's any PPers who've lived there but I'm sure there must be atleast a few who have toured it .

If yes how was your experience?

How is it living there as a Pakistani? To be honest I'm not conservative and tend to like to live with locals and experience the local culture if I'm anywhere so I'm not particularly bothered if there isn't any desi community.

But obviously language will be an issue. Are the locals welcoming and friendly like you find in the US?

Overall just share your experiences of Paris.

Also I don't have any clue how similar it is living among major European cities outside of UK so if it is similar do let me know what is similar.

Awesome and good luck!

Nope never lived or even been to Paris (other than Charles De Gaulle airport) but I can speak a little bit of French.

It is not hard language to learn.

 

[LastManstanding]

One of my friend visited Paris with a Muslim friend and according to them finding halal food was difficult so they preferred vegetarian options during their stay there.

 

[Syed1]

One of my friend visited Paris with a Muslim friend and according to them finding halal food was difficult so they preferred vegetarian options during their stay there.

That is not a problem for Sloggy bhai

 

[Syed1]

Paris would be so much fun. I always wanted to visit it. I heard their subway system is the most extensive and best in the world. It is also a tad different. Would be massive change for you compared to the North American cities you have lived in. Obviously language will be a HUGE issue. You have year and a half to learn french. It is a pretty easy language to learn. Heck I became fully fluent in it in a year or so.

Also french cuisine is very different from the rest of the world. I got a glimpse of it in Montreal. Do indulge in their local foods rather than looking for the next nihari or karahi spot.

 

[Syed1]

Also @endymoin418; doesn't post anymore but he is the only PP'er I believe who is habitant à Paris

 

[Varun]

I heard their subway system is the most extensive and best in the world.

Just checked this out and you're right - it looks like an octopus has taken over the map! The closest we have to something like this is the one in Delhi.

Obviously language will be a HUGE issue. You have year and a half to learn french. It is a pretty easy language to learn. Heck I became fully fluent in it in a year or so.

Likewise, but I find it amusing that the world bends over backwards to learn this language that is basically spoken in France, 10% of Canada where English is spoken anyway, and some sub-Saharan countries where you would never go.

Also french cuisine is very different from the rest of the world. I got a glimpse of it in Montreal. Do indulge in their local foods rather than looking for the next nihari or karahi spot.

French wines are rad too, especially the red ones. I'm sure [MENTION=134230]gani999[/MENTION] can tell [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] more about the food & drink scene out there.

 

[LastManstanding]

That is not a problem for Sloggy bhai

Lahaul villa kuwwat

 

[Suleiman]

One of my friend visited Paris with a Muslim friend and according to them finding halal food was difficult so they preferred vegetarian options during their stay there.

It's the same throughout Europe bar England. Have been to Switzerland and there was the same issue. Regardless, the pizzerias there are pretty darn good.

 

[Syed1]

Lahaul villa kuwwat

I find it hilarious that you know that phrase )

 

[LastManstanding]

I find it hilarious that you know that phrase )

In old Hindi movies, there would generally be character of an old Muslim man, who would use this phrase at least once in the film. Have heard it so many times, don't know what it means though

 

[JaDed]

One of my friend visited Paris with a Muslim friend and according to them finding halal food was difficult so they preferred vegetarian options during their stay there.

Fish and eggs?

 

[Mamoon]

I find it quite similar to London, but then again, most of Europe looks the same.

 

[Varun]

I find it quite similar to London, but then again, most of Europe looks the same.

Welcome back mate! Where have you been all this while?

La Paris?

 

[Mamoon]

Welcome back mate! Where have you been all this while?

La Paris?

Very busy these days. The days of posting regularly are well and truly behind me.

 

[LastManstanding]

Fish and eggs?

No idea mate, didn't ask them. Although during my short stay in London, I talked to many people who considered fish and eggs as vegetarian.

 

[JaDed]

No idea mate, didn't ask them. Although during my short stay in London, I talked to many people who considered fish and eggs as vegetarian.

Lmao,they(eggs and fish) are not in the same bracket of halal,as fish can be consumed as whole(anyone can correct me),I have many friends who consider fish and egg as veg too,although the term is Pescetarianism for sea food lovers.

 

[Syed1]

In old Hindi movies, there would generally be character of an old Muslim man, who would use this phrase at least once in the film. Have heard it so many times, don't know what it means though

Actually even I don't know the meaning. I just know that old people say this when you say or do something questionable infront of them

 

[Mamoon]

In old Hindi movies, there would generally be character of an old Muslim man, who would use this phrase at least once in the film. Have heard it so many times, don't know what it means though

Actually even I don't know the meaning. I just know that old people say this when you say or do something questionable infront of them

The phrase you are looking for is:

La hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah

There is no power and no strength except God.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Whatever you do, don't order anything from the srilankan tamil vendor selling pancakes opposite the eiffel tower.

 

[Pakistanian]

There are a lot of North African/Arab Muslims there, so the Mediterranean food apart from the french food must be really good.

 

[Pakistanian]

Also @endymoin418; doesn't post anymore but he is the only PP'er I believe who is habitant à Paris

I thought he was from the French-part of Switzerland

 

[Syed1]

Whatever you do, don't order anything from the srilankan tamil vendor selling pancakes opposite the eiffel tower.

I feel like there is a very very interesting story behind this post.

 

[Mamoon]

Eiffel Tower is strange. During the day, it looks like an ordinary power tower, but it is truly a spectacle at night.

The night version is probably the most beautiful manmade object I've laid eyes on.

 

[Pakistanian]

Eiffel Tower is strange. During the day, it looks like an ordinary power tower, but it is truly a spectacle at night.

The night version is probably the most beautiful manmade object I've laid eyes on.

what's the weather like there and is it true there's dog litter all over the city?

 

[Mamoon]

what's the weather like there and is it true there's dog litter all over the city?

Didn’t notice any dog litter, but Parisians are renowned cynophiles.

The weather is not much different to London. Gloomy, and not enough sunshine. Certainly not everyone’s cup of tea.

 

[Sidilicious]

So around this time next year I might be moving to Paris for a year and a half or so. Still not finalised but it is one of the solid options

Not sure whether there's any PPers who've lived there but I'm sure there must be atleast a few who have toured it .

If yes how was your experience?

How is it living there as a Pakistani? To be honest I'm not conservative and tend to like to live with locals and experience the local culture if I'm anywhere so I'm not particularly bothered if there isn't any desi community.

But obviously language will be an issue. Are the locals welcoming and friendly like you find in the US?

Overall just share your experiences of Paris.

Also I don't have any clue how similar it is living among major European cities outside of UK so if it is similar do let me know what is similar.

I studied in Paris for an year and a half. I will share my experience with you in a later post in detail. But let me know if you also wanted any specific questions answered. I am not muslim, so won't be able to answer questions related to that, but can answer general questions about Paris and living there.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Paris, much like any other metropolis, has a good side and a dark side. I visited a long time ago when I was only 13 or 14. It was a school trip for students who had learned French. I decided to stay back with a couple of friends after the "school" trip was over because we'd paid for the tickets and it didn't make sense to spend so much money and stay there for only 5 days.

While we were with our school, we only got to see the beautiful aides to city, the nice, 5-Star hotel, restaurants on top of the Eiffel and friendly people trying to teach us a thing or two about the French Revolutionand history. When we were on our own, we stayed in a distant part of the city where everything smelled of a 700 year old sewer, there were rat infestation in every corner and the mere vibe and aura of the place was frightening.

So I suppose there's two aspects to every city. As far as the food is concerned, to be very honest with you, unlike England, much else of Europe doesn't really accommodate for the Muslim population. I try looking for Halal restaurants when I'm travelling and if not, then so be it. I usually feel the chicken we have in Pakistan is hardly killed in ways according to Islam.

 

[kaayal]

Paris metro is the best. The trains are old but the timing accuracy is the best compared to their german counterparts. Not to mention the TGV which are one the best train that i have ever travelled.

Eiffel tower is truly beautiful. Especially night after 8pm when they started to blink like a christmas tree for 5 minutes... Louvre, Arc de triumph, boating etc Lots to see in Paris as a tourist. Halal options are there if you prefer to eat from a turkish joint.

 

[shaz619]

I've visited Paris on a few occasions and have know people who live there. They are used to the city and have no issues living there but personally I find the French not has friendly as the British and dont like the city or country over all.

Probably agree with this, its decent to go on a holiday but personally wouldn't want to live there permanently

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Stayed there for 3 days and I really liked the city. If you are fine living in big cities I think you won't have any problem.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Metro is old and dated though it runs on time. They don't believe in having lifts or ramps. If you carrying luggage or you have a baby stroller, it's terrible.

Halal food is available but not as ubiquitous as in London. There were more kebab places in Notre dame than near ET, ironically run by Tamils. Subcontinent food places are not very common, we had to ask one of the Indian street sellers, who directed us to one few metro stops from ET.

Eiffel Tower looks like a very large electricity pylon, day or night. Don't see the appeal myself.

Paris is very nice to walkabout and just chill, and if you have company, even better.

If you are an American and you are used to the popular fast food joints, Paris is not for you.

 

[James]

Brilliant city with good food, plenty of vegetarian options, and more affordable than you might have heard. The Metro although old and clunky is a great way to get around, has a lot of character, and is quicker & more reliable than the Tube in London.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Went on a vacation there once,a couple of sunmers ago.Weather was nice during the time I was there,halalazhar2) cuisine was good and the locals were cool too.Plenty of sights to see but it’s like Paris is 2 cities in one.One part of the city is plush,cool and tourist-friendly.The other is grubby(not polluted)

 

[saeedhk]

Paris would be so much fun. I always wanted to visit it. I heard their subway system is the most extensive and best in the world. It is also a tad different. Would be massive change for you compared to the North American cities you have lived in. Obviously language will be a HUGE issue. You have year and a half to learn french. It is a pretty easy language to learn. Heck I became fully fluent in it in a year or so.

Also french cuisine is very different from the rest of the world. I got a glimpse of it in Montreal. Do indulge in their local foods rather than looking for the next nihari or karahi spot.

That would be Hong Kong with trains having an on-time arrival of 99.9999%.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Didn’t notice any dog litter, but Parisians are renowned cynophiles.

The weather is not much different to London. Gloomy, and not enough sunshine. Certainly not everyone’s cup of tea.

That's what has put me off going there even though it is pretty easy to get there. If I'm going for a break I want sunshine, not more of the same. I would still like to go one time just because it feels like I should. But honestly I'm not motivated so maybe someone on this thread can convince me with their glowing feedback of their time there.

 

[Mamoon]

That's what has put me off going there even though it is pretty easy to get there. If I'm going for a break I want sunshine, not more of the same. I would still like to go one time just because it feels like I should. But honestly I'm not motivated so maybe someone on this thread can convince me with their glowing feedback of their time there.

Anyone who has seen London is not going to miss out on much by not going to Paris, unless he/she has the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or the Shanze-lize on checklist.

South-East France is the place to head for sunshine.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Anyone who has seen London is not going to miss out on much by not going to Paris, unless he/she has the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or the Shanze-lize on checklist.

South-East France is the place to head for sunshine.

Pretty much my thoughts as well to this point. The south of France holds far more appeal to me than Paris. Although I like living in cooler climates, not really what I want for a holiday break.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Start learning French like now.

According to French people I met, they admitted some French people would simply blank you and walk straight by if you spoke english.

 

[Syed1]

Start learning French like now.

According to French people I met, they admitted some French people would simply blank you and walk straight by if you spoke english.

Similar in Montreal. Never seen a race so nationalistic about their language. I was told Germans are the same, you are living there, how is their reaction to people who don't or cannot speak German?

 

[Slog]

Paris would be so much fun. I always wanted to visit it. I heard their subway system is the most extensive and best in the world. It is also a tad different. Would be massive change for you compared to the North American cities you have lived in. Obviously language will be a HUGE issue. You have year and a half to learn french. It is a pretty easy language to learn. Heck I became fully fluent in it in a year or so.

Also french cuisine is very different from the rest of the world. I got a glimpse of it in Montreal. Do indulge in their local foods rather than looking for the next nihari or karahi spot.

I have a year. I'll be there for year and a half if it goes through. You're really fluent in French? Wow that's impressive esp considering afaik you get along totally fine with English in Montreal esp in McGill.

I think Endymion was in Switzerland
[MENTION=134408]Sidilicious[/MENTION]: Yes. If I end up going it will be for education as well.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Similar in Montreal. Never seen a race so nationalistic about their language. I was told Germans are the same, you are living there, how is their reaction to people who don't or cannot speak German?

I was, finished in August.

Total opposite tbh. If anything its annoying, they love speaking english to you which annoyed me when I wanted to practice my German

Polar opposites, can get by OK with English in Germany

 

[sshakir411]

Never been to Paris but I heard good things. Lot of people love to highlight pollution and what not...but people who have lived there absolutely love it. Also, INSEAD is top school . It's a win-win.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Similar in Montreal. Never seen a race so nationalistic about their language. I was told Germans are the same, you are living there, how is their reaction to people who don't or cannot speak German?

People in Montreal are crazy to the point of actually having a fight with you over language. It's stupid frankly. A country where the majority speaks English, you can't target people for not speaking to you in French.

I remember my friend asking directions and getting totally rejected by some guy.

 

[Syed1]

People in Montreal are crazy to the point of actually having a fight with you over language. It's stupid frankly. A country where the majority speaks English, you can't target people for not speaking to you in French.

I remember my friend asking directions and getting totally rejected by some guy.

It's true... specially if you go outside downtown core.


You know having lived in the city for half a decade, I kinda get where they are coming from. It is siege mentality. Basically all of Canada is English and pretty similar and Quebec is an island of diverse culture and they see the "anglophones" as taking over their culture etc.

 

[James]

Start learning French like now.

According to French people I met, they admitted some French people would simply blank you and walk straight by if you spoke english.

Partly true. In my experience, the French don't expect perfection from tourists, but they do appreciate some thought, and an effort. Whenever myself & the wife go to France, we start off rusty from the last time, and have generally progressed to semi-conversational by the time we head home. But the French will genuinely let you off, and many will actually switch to English after a few sentences to help you - as long as you make that initial effort. It is understandable - I have seen some English louts in Paris not even order from restaurant menus in French, which is borderline insulting really.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Partly true. In my experience, the French don't expect perfection from tourists, but they do appreciate some thought, and an effort. Whenever myself & the wife go to France, we start off rusty from the last time, and have generally progressed to semi-conversational by the time we head home. But the French will genuinely let you off, and many will actually switch to English after a few sentences to help you - as long as you make that initial effort. It is understandable - I have seen some English louts in Paris not even order from restaurant menus in French, which is borderline insulting really.

True. I can understand it a bit tbh, but the French people I met admitted and I have heard stories how they are generally far too snobby. If as in your example some idiots are just spouting off demanding everyone suit them then they deserve nothing better, but if you possess no French and politely ask a passer by for help in English and they blank you its just flat out rude no way about it IMO.

Its kinda funny how completely different the Germans and French are in this regard considering they're neighbours. Germans wont even speak German to you initially they have some sixth sense that can spot non native speakers a mile off lol. I've even used flawless German to start a conversation or order food and gotten an answer in English! And its not even my accent because countless Germans I met thought I was Dutch who can speak German!

 

[cricketjoshila]

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION]


Learn French!!!