How to Not Look Like a Tourist in Paris

Published May 1, 2025

Looking like a tourist in Paris isn’t a bad thing. This post isn’t about changing who you are or pretending to be someone else. It’s about moving through the city with more confidence and context, so your experience feels smoother and more connected, not more constrained.

Small adjustments in how you dress, speak, and navigate the city can open doors to friendlier service, fewer hassles, and a clearer view into local life. These tips aren’t about hiding your identity. They’re about learning how the rhythm of Paris works, and how you can step into it without missing a beat.

Some behaviors stand out so dramatically that Parisians can spot you from across the street. Understanding these patterns helps you feel more at ease and a little more in sync with the city around you.

The Footwear Dead Giveaway

Flip-Flops and Strappy Sandals

Walking Paris streets in flip-flops or strappy sandals immediately marks you as someone unfamiliar with the city's reality. Parisian sidewalks accumulate dog waste, food scraps, and general urban grime that makes exposed feet a hygiene nightmare. The cobblestones also destroy flimsy footwear.

Jean-Paul: "Parisians wear closed shoes for good reason. The streets are not beach boardwalks."

Socks with Sandals

This combination might be acceptable at a campsite, but in Paris, it's a major fashion faux pas. Parisians value understated, intentional style, and socks with sandals suggest the opposite. If comfort is your priority, opt for stylish sneakers or structured sandals without socks.

Athletic Shoes for Everything

Americans often default to running shoes for walking cities, but Parisians reserve athletic shoes for actual exercise. White sneakers with thick soles and athletic logos scream tourist, especially when paired with shorts and a t-shirt.

Instead, choose leather walking shoes, canvas sneakers, or understated athletic shoes in neutral colors. The goal is footwear that can handle serious walking without announcing your nationality.

Clothing That Gives You Away

Athleisure Everywhere

Yoga pants, athletic shorts, and lululemon as street wear immediately identify American tourists. Parisians don't wear workout clothes unless they're actually exercising, and even then, they change before entering cafés or shops. Parisians dress for the activity and location. Even casual wear tends toward tailored pants, simple dresses, or well-fitted jeans rather than athletic wear.

Jessica: "I had to break my American habit of wearing leggings and sneakers for comfort. Once I switched to dark jeans and simple flats, I definitely noticed a difference."

Shorts and Tank Tops

American summer comfort clothes (think athletic shorts, cargo shorts and tight tank tops) rarely appear on Parisian streets. Even in July, locals wear lightweight pants, skirts, or dresses rather than revealing summer clothes.

Sports Jerseys and Slogan T-Shirts

Wearing a football jersey or college sweatshirt will single you out immediately.

Behavioral Giveaways

Volume Control Issues

Parisians speak more quietly in restaurants, on public transportation, and while walking streets. Loud conversations, laughter, and phone calls mark you as foreign immediately.

Jean-Paul: "Americans don't realize how much their voices carry. French conversations are usually quiet, which makes loud English immediately noticeable."

Phone Behavior

Taking calls on speakerphone, playing videos without headphones, or having long phone conversations in restaurants violates Parisian social codes. Phone use should be discreet.

Photography Etiquette

Standing in restaurant doorways or blocking sidewalks for Instagram photos annoys anyone navigating their daily routines. Take photos quickly and move aside.

Wearing a Backpack on Both Shoulders Indoors

Locals typically swing backpacks to their front or carry them by hand in crowded museums or stores. Wearing one on your back in tight spaces shows unfamiliarity with city etiquette.

Charging Devices at Cafés Without Asking

Plugging in phones or laptops at cafés without asking can come off as entitled. Parisians view cafés as social spaces, not charging stations.

Tourist Trap

Eating at Obvious Tourist Places

Restaurants with multilingual menus, photos of food, and aggressive hosts beckoning from doorways target tourists exclusively. Look for smaller establishments with French-only menus, local clientele, and subtle signage.

Jessica: "The rule is simple: if they're trying too hard to get your attention from the street, it's probably not where locals eat. Good restaurants don't need to chase customers."

Navigation Giveaways

Constantly Consulting Maps

Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to check your phone or paper map makes you an easy target for scams or pickpockets. Locals glance quickly or step aside.

Download offline maps, study your route before heading out, and move with purpose, even when you're unsure.

Trying to Hail a Taxi Like in NYC

Parisians use designated taxi stands or apps like G7. Waving on the street works occasionally, but it's not the norm and most taxi drivers won’t stop.

Money and Payment Behaviors

Large Bills and Excessive Tipping

Paying for small purchases with large bills or tipping 20% American-style immediately identifies tourists. French service charges are included in bills, and excessive tipping suggests unfamiliarity with local customs.

Instead, round up to the nearest euro or add 5–10% for exceptional service, but don't feel obligated to tip like you would in America.

Asking for Takeaway at Sit-Down Restaurants

While takeout exists in Paris, it's not standard at traditional restaurants. Asking for a to-go box can come off as odd or rude.

How to Blend In Better

Dress Strategy

Choose neutral colors, well-fitted clothes, and closed shoes. Parisians favor classic pieces over trendy items, quality over quantity, and subtle style over obvious branding.

Behavioral Adjustments

Speak quietly and respect personal space on public transportation. Don't rush or push, but don't just stop in high-traffic areas either.

Cultural Adaptation

Learn basic French greetings and use them consistently. Say "Bonjour" when entering shops, "Merci" when leaving, and "Excusez-moi" when you need to pass by someone.

Jessica: "The single biggest change in how Parisians treated me came from always saying hello when entering shops and goodbye when leaving. It’s a small courtesy that Americans often forget, but it makes a noticeable difference."

Dining Etiquette

Wait to be seated in restaurants and don't rush through meals. Parisians view dining as social time, not fuel stops.

Conclusion

The goal isn't to blend in, but to have a respectful adaptation to the French culture. You'll always be identifiable as foreign when you speak, but you can avoid the most obvious tourist behaviors that sometimes invite unwanted attention or inferior service.

Jean-Paul: "Obviously we don't expect tourists to become French. But when visitors make an effort to understand our customs, it creates better interactions for everyone. The point is to show mutual respect without pretending to be someone you’re not."