ESSENTIALS

Safety

Pickpocketing is common in those tourist meccas in Europe. It's a fact of life but if you know their tricks, you can prevent it. 

You can wear a dorky money belt, JJ wore one. You should see the face of the lady in the bakery when JJ awkwardly tried to get money out of the money belt to pay. But hey, he didn't lose a thing in Paris. He also put a lock on his camera bag/crossbody bag. In Paris, we saw that the Asian tourists getting out of the tour bus all wore a crossbody bag in the front with a big lock on it. They came well prepared. Now you know, if you carry a bag, a crossbody bag across your shoulder with a big lock does the trick. Backpack is an invitation to pickpocketing and the only thing that goes to the pockets of your clothes should be tissue.

I carried a small shoulder bag tucked under my arm. It's safe from pickpocketing but not safe from purse snatching. Luckily, I reduced my train ride to minimum and my hands were on my bag when I was in the metro station and on the train. Appearing alert gives thieves the idea that you are watching out for petty theft.

Travel light to keep your sanity, so no one can steal from your while you are trying to tote a lot of luggages in chaos. Many tourists lose their things due to they can't watch every piece of their belongings in public.

Don't put your iPhone or wallet on the dining table when you sit outside the café. In fact, don't put anything valuable on the table at all in any casual dinning place. At a casual self-service eatery where people go in and out easily, someone can just come toward your table and snatch your thing. Ladies, never hang your purse over the back of your chair. I always held my purse on my lap and wrapped the strap around my arm. 

Violent crime against tourists is rare in Paris. But don't push your luck. Wandering into an unknown neighborhood out of curiosity is not recommended. The touristy culture sites are safe except you need to be aware of pickpocketing as the venues' websites already say so. If your hotel is in a safe area, and you just visit culture sites and the neighborhood you already did research and know it's safe, you will be fine. 

Recap

1. Carry a crossbody bag in the front with a big lock.

2. Wear a money belt if you like.

3. Put nothing in your pockets.

4. Don't stand next to the door on a train to avoid purse snatching.

5. Travel light.

6. Don't put your iPhone and wallet on the table in a casual restaurant or hang your purse over the back of your chair.

7. Stay in a safe neighborhood. Research which area is safe and which area is trouble.

Take charge and outsmart the thieves! 

Weather

Check the weather in Paris before you pack your luggage. 

Pharmacies 

Look for a green cross neon sign. It's the same in Britain. 

Phone Number

Police  17

Ambulance 15

Etiquette 

I tried to speak French in Paris but they always spoke bunch of words that are not in my tourist French booklet back to me. Thankfully, staff usually can speak English at touristy places. However, it is a good idea to speak the following words for being polite. Good manner goes a long way and brings you good luck.

bonjour: When you greet people in the morning and afternoon, you say "bonjour". It's like saying "hello" or "hi".

bonsoir: This is the greeting word you say in the evening.

au revoir: Goodbye!

pardon: When you bump into someone, this word comes in handy to express you are sorry.