The Cultural Exchange Project Travel Blog

Volunteering In France? How Not To Look Like A Tourist

Written by Randy LeGrant | Jun 9, 2011 4:16:00 PM

 

Now you're headed to France as a volunteer with GeoVisions and you are wondering what to pack.  You want to "blend in," right?  You've told yourself that you can't possibly stick out the entire time and look like a tourist.  And you really do want your host family to take you places, so the last thing you want to do is embarrass them.  I get it.  This Blog post is directed straight at you.  It will help you a lot.

The first advice I'd give is to look at the photos of your host family.  What are they wearing?  This would be a really great clue on what types of clothes to pack.

The next thing you could do is check the host family out on Facebook.  Hey!  They've checked you out, so return the favor.  I'm going to write an entire Blog post about the numbers of tutors we've lost this year thanks to their Facebook photos.  Oh do I have stories to share with you about what host families find on Facebook pages.  So this is a HINT to go clean up your Facebook page.  While you're doing that, see if you can find your new host family on Facebook too.  Get some ideas about where they like to go, what they like to do and how they dress.

The last thing you can try is simply ASK THEM!  You have their email address and phone number.  Just ask.  Hey…they're taking you in, housing you, feeding you and trusting you to teach them some English.  So just fire off that big question:  "Hi!  This is Sally!  I want to pack the appropriate clothes and I was wondering if you could email me back with some ideas that would fit your family."  When I ask for help, I always receive it.  But results may vary.

Here are some other suggestions you can try:

1.  Eat Like The French
The French LOVE McDonads.  Do NOT sit in a cafe and enjoy your meal allowing time for it to digest.  The French don't enjoy wine either, so buy one of those Giant SuperSize Me cups of Pepsi with your Mickey D.  And then be sure to run around all the tourist spots in Paris eating the burger and fries.  You'll get some nasty looks, but they are only jealous of your Big Mac.

2.  Wear Expensive Sneakers
When you put on those white socks and expensive running shoes, you'll feel right at home in France.  The French love those things.  The only thing they love more are your Teva sandals.  They covet them and might actually knock you over and take them right off your feet.  Be careful.  And if your running shoes are big and chunky enough, you'll be taller than all French people and they will admire that.

3.  Flaunt Yourself
I'm suggesting any T-shirt with a cute saying, or a shirt with all the cities of the tour from your best band listed down the back, or a color photo of someone you admire.  I take that back.  Wear the one that says, "I Heart Paris."  The French will love you.  Baseball caps that read, "USA" go over real well.

4.  Day Travel Accessories
While over-stuffed backpacks are the rage in France, the one thing all the French wear is a fanny pack.  You will find these under the most expensive business suits and on people sitting at the outside cafes.  They especially like designer fanny packs or anything brightly colored.  Just be sure to wear it on your front, so you are not a target for pick pockets and thieves.
 

5.  Dress Like The French
The first thing you have to do is buy a real French beret.  Then, never take it off when you're in France.  All the French people wear them.  And if it starts to rain, pull out that large umbrella with the drawing of the Eiffel Tower on it.  But careful now, someone may actually think you're French and start asking you for directions.

So there you have it.  How to not stick out as a tourist in France.

I mean, are you going trust me?  Or are you going to trust your host family?

In all seriousness, do you have other ideas for everyone headed to France?  Serious ideas, that is?  Please add them to our comments section below.