Rating: 
Summary: Tips for the first time visit to France....
Review: I received this book from my sister, who has visited France several times and who speaks the language fluently. She knows the ins and the outs and knew that though I was very excited about my trip I was also nervous. What if they really DO hate Americans? What if they really are as rude as people say? What if, what, if, what if.....I worried that maybe I was not making a good choice for our first trip to a European country that did not speak English as their primary language. I read the book like a crazy person. A lot of the ideas were simple, but things that eased my transition. Speak softly, say hello ALWAYS, when going into a shop, even if you are just looking around and always say thank you and good bye when leaving. Don't smile and make a lot of eye contact on the street with strangers. Understand that going to dinner is an event-don't rush it, and when you want the check ASK for it, or you will be there forever....they do not just slap the bill on your table as soon as, or (gasp), before you finish your meal. You could literally nurse one glass of wine for 2 hours, they don't care. Know that, and slow your pace and enjoy it. Don't be annoyed and think you are getting poor service. Understand that tips are included in most establishments, but that an extra % up to 5% is appreciated for good service. Know that the job of being a wait person there is different than here, they know food and wine and are happy to make recommendations-that is their job and they are very good at it and pride themselves on a job well done. They are efficient and helpful. They are not, however the staff at TGI Fridays-they don't come up to your table, with "flare" on and say "Hi, my name is Rudy and I'll be your waiter". If that is the kind of interaction you need, you should probably skip Paris altogether. Oh, and PLEASE, don't go into a nice restaurant and ask loudly if you can have ketchup for your steak-this is the kind of American that the French just can't stand.
I learned some French before going, and always tried to make an attempt to speak the language instead of assuming they were all English speakers and I was in some French version of Disneyland.
I found the French people nothing but kind and welcoming to us. If you respect their culture and make attempts to adapt to their way of life they were friendly and helpful. We visited many of the Arrondisements (divisions) and found this to be true whether we were in a tourist section, or farther off the beaten path.
I found this book to be extremely helpful to me. Do I think all of the information applied? No, there were some areas that didn't, but all in all I got many good pieces of information I would not have otherwise known, and it made my trip a more pleasurable experience.
I highly recommend this book, and would seek it out for other countries that I would visit so I could learn more about the culture before going.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: I was glad to read this book and Sally Adamson Taylor was pretty good at describing the French and, to sum it up, if you are rude to the French they'll be rude right back! It cuts through the stupid stereotypes such as Jerry Lewis, (no French person I know care about him and I know a lot of French! )and lots of Americans seem to always gear for battles before going to France thinking they are going to be spit in the face as soon as they get out of the airport! Don't worry. This book shows you that the French are not that bad after all! But it will let you know how to "act" in stores (just say hello) and all the little things that make a stay much more enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of Information on Diverse Subjects
Review: This book is very well-written - sections on home life, fashion and nudity, and conversation are particularly informative. As a person who enjoys conversation, it was nice to read that the French really enjoy conversation and regard it as drama. But two aspects should have been more discussed less forgivingly: French rudeness (she advises to play the rudeness game; although in my 3 visits I have only once been treated rudely, I don't consider rudenes to be a game) and the fact that the French are really judgemental about how a person dresses (as she says - no one would dream of wearing shorts in Paris). However, Kudos to the French for not getting as paranoid about sexual harassment as here in Amerca!
Rating: 
Summary: Completely impractical
Review: This book was very easy to read. Written so that anyone can understand, it will also have you laughing and rolling around on the ground. It covers practically all aspects of French culture. It will help you if you are travelling to France or moving there.As I've said, it's very easy to read. And, it's hilarious! You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Easy read and humorous!
Review: This book was very easy to read. Written so that anyone can understand, it will also have you laughing and rolling around on the ground. It covers practically all aspects of French culture. It will help you if you are travelling to France or moving there. As I've said, it's very easy to read. And, it's hilarious! You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Good simplified overview of the French mind
Review: This book will be most helpful for people who are going to MOVE to France, or at least spend a LOT of time there. And in that regard it is mostly about the Parisian mind, although not exclusively. However, let me note that it is also a fun read for anyone simply interested in French culture. I read it on the plane on the way to France. I think most importantly, it is a fun read and a cool cultural icebreaker. It prepares you for other people's reactions to you. As with most over-simplified descriptions of an entire culture, it is not guaranteed to be 100% true in all cases. This book will tell you that the French don't smile (at least not like Californians do) and if you smile too much you will look stupid to them. It gives tips for getting a job, receiving your mail, using the phone, getting an apartment, what wines to drink, and how to act as a guest in the home of the French. As a tourist I used the information a several of times. I learned why I shouldn't ask a policeman for directions, what magic phrases to use to elicit help from any Frenchperson, and that the French would understand if I cut in front of them in line if it was really important to me to do so (say, that's good to know!)
Rating:
Summary: Some good info but not a good book
Review: While this book contains some good information on the basic stages of culture shock and how things work in France, the author's perspective is narrow-minded and preachy. Taylor repeatedly justifies perceived French rudeness and inefficiency, implying that anyone who doesn't appreciate that the French way is always best has a problem.
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