Subway in Paris: the American's Survival Guide
By Claire Sulmers
I've been living in Paris for a little over a year now, and while the French far surpass Americans in cheese and wine production, one thing is clear: Parisians do not know how to use the subway!!
While the French may look down their noses at the American style of dress or the loud way we talk, they lack complete and total social decorum when underground.
I lived in New York for four years, and while I had my small share of subway run ins, there seemed to be unspoken rules that helped everyday operations flow seamlessly: wait for people to get off before you get on; wait for the train to stop before you make a path for the door; whoever's standing over the seat is the proper recipient once the former occupant leaves.
In Paris, however, it's every straphanger for themselves!
During rush hour, from 9-10 am and 5-6 pm, Parisians will rush the door, trampling shoes, knocking bags, and pushing to get where they need to be. There is no consideration for their fellow subway rider, and everyone conducts themselves as if life will end if they're not the first person on or off the frequently scheduled trains.
Today, for example, I was riding on the train, silently playing on my iPhone (bonus, they do have cell phone reception down there!). Of course--before the train grinded to a halt--everyone pushed past others to be the first one out. Thinking myself more cosmopolitan, I waited until the train stopped, then got up to leave. Before I could even step forward, a crowd rushed the door, making it almost impossible to get off.
Battling the incoming crowd and fearing I would get stuck on the train, I put my hands in front of me to push through. On my way out, I must have pushed a teenage French girl entering, who then pushed me back and turned around to scream at me in rapid French. A man coming in behind her took her side and yelled at me, asking why I would even dare to try to get off the train! Not able to pop off at the mouth, I simply put my hand up and said, "Desolé!" (French for sorry), and turned on my Itunes. As all this was going on, it seemed as if the whole train had stopped to watch.
I would have taken it personally or blamed my culture, but I've seen French people do similar things to each other. One day I sat and watched as an older lady pushed a younger one by mistake (in a rush to prematurely get out the door). She apparently continued to push the young lady, so as the Madame exited, the younger woman spatted, "Conasse!" (b*tch). Instances like this make it clear that it's not just me who gets frustrated with the lack of consideration and respect practiced on the Paris Metro.
My Paris-born friends simply shrug their shoulders, saying, "That's just the way things are." But it doesn't have to be. I'd recommend the Paris Metro seriously look into publishing signs explaining the proper, most respectful way to use the train. Life is stressful enough without fearing a punch out while riding from Point A to Point B.
*Recommendation: If you ever visit Paris, simply avoid the train during rush hours. At any other time, trains are empty and come about every two minutes. Evade confrontations and travel in peace.
