Rick Steves' Advice About Shopping Etiquette Will Save You From Embarrassment In France

Paris shopping is unmatched. No trip is complete without a spending spree through iconic luxury designers, charming local boutiques, and quaint cafés and bakeries. However, the last thing you want to do is embarrass yourself in front of shop owners and employees who are deciding what kind of service they should give you. Believe it or not, shopping in Paris comes with its own etiquette rules that are often tailored to the type of business you're patronizing. It's best to study them beforehand, so you can have the smoothest and most authentic experience. Travel expert Rick Steves has a few he thinks all tourists should keep in mind to experience Paris like a Parisian.

The first, possibly most important, step to keep in mind is greeting the store clerk or associate with a quick and polite "bonjour." This is especially important if you're visiting a small store. You can also follow this up with their title i.e. madame, mademoiselle, or monsieur. Monsieur is easy to remember for gentlemen, who all use the same term across the board. Use Madame if the woman you're speaking to is married, and mademoiselle if she's unmarried. Additionally remember to say "au revoir" before leaving the establishment.

If you're unsure what to do, don't be afraid to hang back and observe local French shoppers. They have these etiquette rules down, and will act as the perfect model for your shopping experience. If you get easily overwhelmed, do some research beforehand, and try to shop while traffic is slow. For example, according to Steves, Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest shopping time. Try to plan around that. And above all, remember that you can take the experience as slowly as you need to, and aren't obligated to buy anything if nothing resonates with you.

Parisian shopping etiquette differs from what many are used to in the U.S. One of the many things tourists should never do when visiting Paris shops is haggle or argue with the store clerks. In the U.S., some folks have a "the customer is always right" mentality. Store employees in Paris will have none of this, and the only thing you'll accomplish is embarrassing yourself and putting a damper on the rest of your day. 

You'll find some of the best boutiques to buy clothes at while in Paris. And while you're able to be very hands-on while you browse in the states, you should also never handle the store merchandise yourself in Paris. Instead, you should wait for an associate to help you out or you should ask first before touching anything. The only exception to this rule is if you're at a department store. Have these tips handy and you should have no problem. Happy shopping!