Paris, Je T'aime
New code of conduct between Parisians and tourists.
LONDON, July 9, 2007— -- Tourists love Paris -- but not necessarily the Parisians.
As the tourism high season kicks off, the Paris Tourism Office has launched a code of conduct in the hope of improving relations between the Parisians and their visitors.
On documents distributed to service professionals -- cabdrivers, hotel workers and restaurant employees -- the Tourism Office calls for a protocol of respect between the Parisians and tourists.
On the one hand, the French must take the time to answer visitors' questions in English.
They should also inform the tourists on the places of interest in Paris, and show that they value the importance of tourists to the city's livelihood.
On the other hand, visitors are asked to discover French products, respect the city and use public transportation.
Paris' economy is highly dependent on tourism.
"In Paris, tourism has become the first source of employment," said Paul Roll, director of the Paris Tourism Office. He explained that it is therefore crucial to make sure that visitors are not deterred by the attitude of the French.
With amazing museums such as the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay, with its small streets and cafe terraces, "Paris is a must for a tourist," said Ted Stanger, an American author who has lived in France for the past few decades and wrote "Sacré Francais," a sarcastic but nonetheless sympathetic profile of the French.
"It's a magnificent country," Stanger told ABC News, "so people go at least once. The problem is the second trip, as some tourists do not feel very welcome."
One of the main problems is that the French have the reputation of refusing to speak English.
Stanger explains that on the one hand, many American tourists walk into shops and expect the clerks to speak fluent English, and sometimes don't even bother asking whether the salesperson or the waiter speaks English.
The truth is, many French people still struggle with English.
Roll says it's a matter of shyness. "Most French have studied English for at least years, if not seven," he said, "but they are afraid to speak."
