Stuff Parisians Like

Browsing through the site "Stuff Parisians Like" (which is likely the inspired French knock-off of the ever-popular American "Stuff White People Like"), I realized there are a whole lot of generalizations that people can make about Parisians - about the way they look, eat, talk and generally go about exuding an unmistakable air of Parisian-ness. To add to the site's somewhat impressive list, some of my own:

1) High heels. Parisians (well, Parisian women) love their talons. Whether it's in boots, pumps or terrifyingly fashionable designer heels (does looking at these make anyone else feel nauseous?), les femmes françaises seem totally at ease traversing the city streets with their feet a few inches off the ground. Whether it's a mark of style, power, or sexuality doesn't really make a difference. To me, it's all about looking (and feeling) confident.

2) Staring at strangers. There is no taboo in Paris about blatant and shameless staring. It's as if no one's maman ever bothered to nudge them to politely look away. ("Staring is rude, sweetie.") In fact, two of the city's most significant cultural institutions are essentially structured around the practice of people-watching. First off, the corner café, whose outdoors chairs are always positioned side-by-side to face the street. (If this is not so, it is likely not an authentic café.) And secondly, the métro, whose close quarters encourage, if not require, stranger-to-stranger eye contact. Perhaps this is why so many women wear heels - you never know when you're being watched (and judged.) In fact, you almost certainly always are.