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Public
conveniences, toilets
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Near
the telephone booths, Place Jeanne d’Arc,
and behind the Palais de Justice N.W. corner,
cost 30 cents / 40 cents. Cafés, bars, brasseries, restaurants,
large supermarkets, and multiple stores, for free ! Antiquity and cleanliness
vary, but the price is right, with no obligation to drink, it's the law!
“Turkish” toilets still exist, (no recent inventory available).
“May I use your toilet, please? Je peux me
servir de vos toilettes, s’il vous plaît? > szchuh
puh muh sehrveerh duh voh twallett seel voo pleh? < |
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Refuse,
waste
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Receptacles
for waste paper are provided throughout town. Large green containers
for glass, plastic and paper for recycling are located strategically
on the outskirts of town. Trash is collected every day except Sunday
in town and three days per week in suburban areas. Streets in town are
hosed down each morning before 7 am.
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Greetings
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When
introduced., a slight nod, a smile, a firm handshake and a distinct:
”Monsieur” > muhseeuh <....
“Madame” generally does the
trick. French people shake hands more readily and more often than do
“anglo-saxons” ! Be prepared, and do not be fooled by
the “bise” > beez < , kiss
on both cheeks, sometimes inflicted more than once on each.
This is for relatives, colleagues whom you can stand, old acquaintances
of either sex, and children. A safe policy, pending your burgeoning
fluency, suggests you shake the hand, and restrict your conversation:
très heureux > trhehzuhruh <
if you are male, très heureuse >
trhezuhruhz <, if female. Say no more, but listen hard !
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Tips
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Tipping,
though not obligatory, is still customary in cafés, restaurants,
taxis, and for guides, ushers in cinemas and theatres, and, in some cases,
concerts. Also in hotels where the same waiter or chambermaid has rendered
good, faithful, and cheerful service.
In most of the cases cited above, this is small change, from 5% to 10%.
In classy restaurants, where one eats “à la carte” 15
- 20% is not considered overgenerous ! |
