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The Surprising Etiquette I Learned in Paris: A Complete Guide Paris has a reputation for elegance, but nothing prepared me for how many unwritten rules the city quietly expects you to know. On my first afternoon there, I walked into a bakery and cheerfully said, “Hi, can I get a croissant?” The woman behind the counter gave me a look so sharp it could’ve sliced the pastry.  That’s when I learned Rule One: always start with a greeting — a simple bonjour carries more weight in Paris than perfect French ever could. Must Read:  How I Overcame My Fear of Flying After Ten Years . Another surprise was how softly people speak. Parisians don’t shout across cafés or laugh loudly on the metro. They create their own little pockets of calm, even in busy places. And queues? Completely sacred. Whether it’s the boulangerie or a bus stop, people wait their turn with an almost poetic patience. Meals were another revelation. Lunch isn’t something you grab and run with — it’s meant to be ...