Rating: 
Summary: Tips for Enjoying Paris
Review: I bought this book with high hopes and found it enjoyable. The writing is fun and whets your appetite for your trip to France. However, just about every chapter in the book is specifically geared toward Paris. There are all kinds of wonderful tips about place to go and things to see - in Paris. I'm not going to Paris. Perhaps Ms. Platt's tips on behavior are probably applicable all over France, but perhaps not. I mean, do you go about things in the same way in Seattle as you do in New York? In a book subtitled "211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French", I expected more information about the rest of the country. Change the subtitle to "211 Tips for Enjoying Paris and the Parisians" and I'd give it 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: "Well, Polly said..."
Review: I enjoyed "Savoir-Flair" so much! Not only was it so informative and helpful, but it was also funny and delightful as well. I've often quoted it out loud, not only reading passages from the book to my husband and friends, but as my husband and I have walked around Paris, I've been known to say, "Well, Polly said..." as though she's one of my good friends! And in a way, she has been! This book is full of wonderful insights, lots of wise advice, and just lovely prose. Polly Platt's love of Paris comes through on every page and it's made us love Paris more! I've bought it for many of my friends as a great introduction to a beautiful city and its charming people.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable book for an American in Paris
Review: I had a FABULOUS first trip to Paris, and I believe that it is largely due to having read "Savoir Flair!" before my trip! Knowing the simple tips of always greeting people (individually!) before asking questions, ordering, etc; concluding with "Au Revior!" as I left, paved the way for a pleasant trip to France. I cringed to hear Americans jump right in to questions in English with no greeting. No wonder we Americans come across as rude!! SF tip #42 came in handy, as well! I felt so much more like a Parisian and less like an American tourist when I was not stuck at the Metro door! I will say that after consulting two friends who had recently traveled to Paris, I opted to take the RER and Metro to my hotel from Charles De Gaulle. Not only was it a piece of cake, but thus began my love affair with the Metro! As for hotels, tips number 8 and 19 came in handy. The one time I took a taxi instead of the metro, sure enough, the taxi driver did not know the hotel! Many hotels now provide a small area map on their websites, showing their hotel locations in relation to the nearest boulevard or main street. I simply whipped out from my passport the map I had printed from our hotel website and he drove us right to it. I chuckled at my American friends who tried to navigate dark hotel hallways before cluing them in that they had just passed a light switch! Once again, feeling more Parisian and less American tourist. My brother, who speaks some French, joined me after three days. We tried a restaurant recommendation from Savoir Flair! and dined one evening at Le Petit Saint Benoit; it was delicious! We also experienced a very memorable evening when, towards the end of our meal, our waitress somehow initiated a conversation between our tablemates and us. One of them spoke at bit of Spanish, as do I, and he spoke "un petit peu" of English, which expanded somewhat as the evening wore on (just as SF explained it would!). We had a wonderful time speaking for an hour in French, English, or Spanish, depending upon who was speaking to whom. You should have seen my brother and me try to explain that I had earned the trip to Paris as a sales incentive from my employer! As tip #39 explains, most English words of three syllables or more are of French origin, and finally "commission" did the trick! "Savoir Flair!" is an indispensable book for Americans in Paris!
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable book for an American in Paris
Review: I had a FABULOUS first trip to Paris, and I believe that it is largely due to having read "Savoir Flair!" before my trip! Knowing the simple tips of always greeting people (individually!) before asking questions, ordering, etc; concluding with "Au Revior!" as I left, paved the way for a pleasant trip to France. I cringed to hear Americans jump right in to questions in English with no greeting. No wonder we Americans come across as rude!! SF tip #42 came in handy, as well! I felt so much more like a Parisian and less like an American tourist when I was not stuck at the Metro door! I will say that after consulting two friends who had recently traveled to Paris, I opted to take the RER and Metro to my hotel from Charles De Gaulle. Not only was it a piece of cake, but thus began my love affair with the Metro! As for hotels, tips number 8 and 19 came in handy. The one time I took a taxi instead of the metro, sure enough, the taxi driver did not know the hotel! Many hotels now provide a small area map on their websites, showing their hotel locations in relation to the nearest boulevard or main street. I simply whipped out from my passport the map I had printed from our hotel website and he drove us right to it. I chuckled at my American friends who tried to navigate dark hotel hallways before cluing them in that they had just passed a light switch! Once again, feeling more Parisian and less American tourist. My brother, who speaks some French, joined me after three days. We tried a restaurant recommendation from Savoir Flair! and dined one evening at Le Petit Saint Benoit; it was delicious! We also experienced a very memorable evening when, towards the end of our meal, our waitress somehow initiated a conversation between our tablemates and us. One of them spoke at bit of Spanish, as do I, and he spoke "un petit peu" of English, which expanded somewhat as the evening wore on (just as SF explained it would!). We had a wonderful time speaking for an hour in French, English, or Spanish, depending upon who was speaking to whom. You should have seen my brother and me try to explain that I had earned the trip to Paris as a sales incentive from my employer! As tip #39 explains, most English words of three syllables or more are of French origin, and finally "commission" did the trick! "Savoir Flair!" is an indispensable book for Americans in Paris!
Rating: 
Summary: Read and then see for yourself
Review: I had mixed reactions to Polly Platt's book. Some practical how-to info is accurate and useful. I had a problem with her lack of objectivity in some areas. She does a lot of name-dropping and you get the sense that her friends are of a certain wealth and social status. This affects the way she presents other info. I live in Paris and I ride the Metro without the fearful incidents she describes. I also take exception to her advice on page 157, which sounds like racist propaganda from the Front Nationale (Le Pen's far-right poltical party).."if you're blond, you'll be stared at and perhaps approached by French men of all ages. Blond or not, second generation from North Africa may follow you and accost you." Other warnings are that you should not walk alone in the 20th arr. I am blond, blue-eyed and petite and I frequently shop, walk alone or go to cafes in the 19th/18th and 20th (neighborhoods with many North Africans). I have consistently been treated with friendliness and respect by men and women alike in these areas. It's 'trendy' for a certain elitist class of people in Paris to bash Algerians and Africans as being violent or dangerous. The biggest danger in Paris is stepping in dog poop and not saying si vous plait. Open your eyes, and your heart, and you'll have a great time.
Rating:
Summary: A "MUST READ" IF YOU ARE GOING TO FRANCE
Review: I just got back from Paris, and I am so glad I read "Savoir Flair!" and "French or Foe." These two books prepared me for my trip and helped to make it even more pleasurable. I loved Paris! In fact, I loved it so much, I'm going back in August, so two trips in a matter of three months!
The people of France were nothing but welcoming. Everyone was so nice. The French people went out of their way to be kind to me. I know for a fact that because of reading these books, I knew what to expect and how to handle myself in their environment. Everyone should read Polly Platt's books and take a few French lessons before they go to France, if they want to get the most out of their time there. I am now going to reread these books before I go again. I have purchased many books about France, but these were by far the most helpful.
Rating:
Summary: TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TRIP, READ POLLY PLATT'S BOOKS!
Review: I just got back from Paris, and I am so glad I read "Savoir Flair!" and "French or Foe." These two books prepared me for my trip and helped to make it even more pleasurable. I loved Paris! In fact, I loved it so much, I'm going back in August, so two trips in a matter of three months! The people of France were nothing but welcoming. Everyone was so nice. The French people went out of their way to be kind to me. I know for a fact that because of reading these books, I knew what to expect and how to handle myself in their environment. Everyone should read Polly Platt's books and take a few French lessons before they go to France, if they want to get the most out of their time there.
I am now going to reread these books before I go again. I have purchased many books about France, but these were by far the most helpful.
Rating:
Summary: A "MUST READ" IF YOU ARE GOING TO FRANCE
Review: I just got back from Paris, and I am so glad I read "Savoir Flair!" and "French or Foe." These two books prepared me for my trip and helped to make it even more pleasurable. I loved Paris! In fact, I loved it so much, I'm going back in August, so two trips in a matter of three months!
The people of France were nothing but welcoming. Everyone was so nice. The French people went out of their way to be kind to me. I know for a fact that because of reading these books, I knew what to expect and how to handle myself in their environment. Everyone should read Polly Platt's books and take a few French lessons before they go to France, if they want to get the most out of their time there. I am now going to reread these books before I go again. I have purchased many books about France, but these were by far the most helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for learning more about the French
Review: I really enjoyed the first book, and enjoyed the second just as much. I think both are mandatory reading for anyone moving to Paris. I read the second after living here in Paris for a year and I still learned stuff. Then I quized my French girlfriend on my new facts and information, and she even learned some stuff herself! It's a great book, get it!
Rating:
Summary: Great book for learning more about the French
Review: I really enjoyed the first book, and enjoyed the second just as much. I think both are mandatory reading for anyone moving to Paris. I read the second after living here in Paris for a year and I still learned stuff. Then I quized my French girlfriend on my new facts and information, and she even learned some stuff herself! It's a great book, get it!
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