Stuff Parisians Like: Discovering the Quoi in the Je Ne Sais Quoi [Paperback]

Olivier Magny (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 5, 2011

This book describes like no others what truly makes Paris life so unique. Olivier Magny is a real Parisian: he was born and raised in the City of Lights and shares here his spot-on analyses and priceless insights about his city.

And he does all that with great humor and wit. The series of articles presented in that book even conquered the hearts of the French, where it became a national best-seller.

So if you want to know Paris as it is, understand things beyond clichés, learn the tricks and phrases that will make you blend in and have a good laugh all at the same time - this might just be the book for you.

Editorial Reviews

Review

- Hilariously perceptive - New York Magazine

- Extremely funny and intelligent - France 24

- Hysterically funny - Girls' Guide to Paris

- One of the funniest books I've ever read and one of the cleverest concerning the French - John Talbott

- Extremely well written and witty - Paris Missives

- A well deserved spanking for all Parisians - GQ

- Indispensable and irresistible - Le Point

- An insider’s look at the delights of Paris - British Weekly

- Really well written and absolutely hilarious - Mediapart

- I barely made it through the first page laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes - Weekend in Paris

- Run and get it - France 3

From the Back Cover

In the tradition of the New York Times bestseller Stuff White People Like, a tongue-in-cheek homage to Parisians.

To be mistaken for a Parisian, readers must buy the newspaper Le Monde, fold it, and walk. Then sit at a café and make phone calls. Be sure to order San Pellegrino, not any other kind of fizzy water. They shouldn't be surprised when a waiter brings out two spoons after they order le moelleux au chocolat- it is understood that the dessert is too sinfully delicious not to share. Go to l'île Saint-Louis-all Parisians are irredeemably in love with that island. Feel free to boldly cross the street whenever the impulse strikes-pedestrian crosswalks are too dangerous. If they take a cruise on the Seine, they will want to stand outside, preferably with their collar popped up. If they want to decorate, may we suggest the photographs of Robert Doisneau? To truly be cool in Paris, own an iPhone, wear Converse sneakers, and order sushi. And as they stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, remember-they can't go wrong wearing black. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (July 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425241181
• ISBN-13: 978-0425241189
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Customs & Traditions
  • #19 in Books > History > Europe > France
  • #37 in Books > History > Modern (16th-21st Centuries) > 21st Century

More About the Author

Olivier Magny is a French sommelier, entrepreneur and best selling author.

After graduating from one of France's "Grande Ecoles", he decided to follow his real passion and became a sommelier. At age 23, he started his wine tasting company in Paris, called O Chateau. A few thousand bottles of wine later, O Chateau has become Paris' prime wine tasting school and wine bar.

Besides wine, writing is another passion of Olivier's. French critics were so enthusiastic about his first book "Dessine-moi un Parisien", that it became a French bestseller in a matter of weeks.

On top of his activities as a sommelier and author, Olivier Magny is also the host of a TV show about wine. When he's not filming or writing, Olivier is usually behind his bar, serving clients, soaking up the Parisian life.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and humorous. August 10, 2011

By Stephen Hagata

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this book. I am a francophile, to be sure and love Paris and its history and culture. That being said, Olivier Magny has written a book that presents Parisians in a style that is readily understandable to Americans who so often travel to Paris unaware that they are in a very foreign culture. What made the book especially fun was Olivier's tongue-in-cheek humor as he gently mocked his fellow Parisians. Such insight and wit make it very hard to believe that English is not his native tongue. Highly recommended.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Stuff I Like About This Book (and its author) December 2, 2011

By PJ Adams

Format:Paperback

I sought out this book on Amazon after seeing it mentioned in the news somewhere. After reading it, I visited Paris and happened to wander over to O Chateau, Olivier Magny's very cool wine bar, and had a warm chat with the author himself over a great Bordeaux. Not only is Olivier's book hilarious and biting in its laser-like take on Parisians vs. "All the Others," Olivier himself is a delightful, droll Parisian who doesn't take himself too seriously and also pours some great wine! You won't find any other book exactly like this, so if you want to get the insider's view, pick up this book AND visit O Chateau which is definitely a happening place.

61 of 79 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Always wanted to get back at that snooty Parisian waiter in that little café? July 5, 2011

By Wulfstan TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Then "Stuff Parisians Like: Discovering the Quoi in the Je Ne Sais Quoi" is the book for you. Part homage, part satire, part serious and part tongue-in-cheek, the author lambastes what he considers the decline in Parisian sophistication.

Well, as it turns out the products description choose the same quote from the promo matrial as I did. So here's another of the authors sallys, this time about Americans: "Parisians have a bit of a different physiology. Things like a certain inability to smile are quite well known expressions of this phenomenon. Some are much lesser known: an interesting experience when chatting with a Parisian is to place the words "Les Américains" in a sentence. These two words put together - in any imaginable sentence - immediately trigger a chemical reaction in the Parisian's brain. When hearing the phrase "Les Américains", the Parisian will implacably lose track of his previous ideas to just be taken over by one overpowering thought. That is: "Oui, mais les Américains, ils sont cons".

There is no exception to that rule. Americans are all stupid. End of the story. The fact that America is the most successful and probably the most creative country in the world should come as no argument. The fact that all Parisians deliberately wear American clothes, watch American movies, listen to American music, use American words or fantacize about American celebrities either. Americans are fat, stupid and ugly. Period.....

It would be impolite at that point to bring to the Parisian's attention that he starts to sound like the stupid American he despises so much. Plus, despite his obvious in-depth knowledge of America, chances are he might not get the joke..."

The book takes jabs at French bureaucracy, feigned angst and faux intellectualism. But he also has nods for other aspects of Parisian culture and life.

Not quite laugh-out-loud funny, I still had my full quota of grins and chuckles.

Oliver Magny is a Parisian sommelier, who teaches at a wine-tasting school.