Customer Reviews

Savoir Flair: 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French

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Savoir Flair: 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French
I came to this book AFTER I'd been traveling regularly to France. It's a delight, and I only wish I'd found it before. Polly Platt is an entertaining and insightful writer. With a better understanding of French customs and quirks, you will enhance your experience in France, whether it's a short vacation or a long-term stay.

We went to Paris last March and French or Foe was a life saver. It made our trip a delight. I couldn't wait to read Polly's latest, Savoir Flair. It's informative and a great read. If you are going to France, buy it. You won't be sorry.

This book is generally delightful. There are many stories of pleasant encounters with the French and some not-so-pleasant, which Platt translates and gives us the why's and how's of the situation. For example, she explains the etiquette of shopping: the need to be leisurely, don't rush, greet shopkeepers and salespeople, not to handle items before asking and don't expect a quick experience if you're trying on clothing. It's invaluable if you really want to enjoy your time in France. A tiny bit outdated, as it refers to smoking in restaurants and cafes which is now illegal, but I doubt most the cultural norms she discusses have changed.

Before our 3rd European trip I purchased this book and what a difference it made. Friends used to comment that the French were unfriendly. On our first two trips we thought the French were just a little too reserved. If our friends had read this book, they would have realized how much they missed by starting their trip without understanding the 2 or 3 basic rules of courtesy in France.

If you approach someone and fail to say "hello" when their culture is based upon simple beginnings to a conversation, it is any surprise that the person doesn't jump to befriend you? Polly taught us the very simple means of being polite that opened the French to us. Suddenly we knew the simple secrets that caused the French to go out of their way for us.

If you are going to France, you must read this book. Plus it is a fun read!

If you want to understand the French, buy this book. It's filled with all sorts of useful information, whether you are planning to just visit briefly or live in France for an extended period. Out of the dozen or so books I have purchased on France/Paris, this is one of the most helpful in helping me plan for my upcoming trip there.

This is not a review. This refers to my order that has been back ordered for 7 copies of this book. I wish to reduce my order from 7 copies to 6 copies and your website doesn't appear to offer that option directly. So this in my indirect request. Please confirm by e-mail that you have reduced my order to 6 copies. Thank you.

William Nichols

Why is it that all books purporting to present France and the French are always about Paris, Paris and more Paris - as if there was nothing in France but Paris ?
How would you like a book purporting to describe United States, and limiting itself to New York ?
Most of France - indeed most of Europe - is rural. Author, if you want to write a book about a country, then puh-leez, tell us about the COUNTRY !