Netflix’s Emily in Paris is a broad smile at Paris. Paris sees this smile and wants the show to wipe the idiotic grin off its face.

Harsh? That’s Paris for you.

Based on the two times I’ve been there, they’re a no-bs type people. And WTF? They

don’t

give

an eff.

I once saw broken jam jars across the floor at the supermarket, and everyone just walked on. Don’t you dare cast a sideways glance. That is beneath the city, for it is a trivial matter.

“WTF, what if someone steps on broken glass?”

That kind of thinking is so American of you!

I jest at Paris, because I am utterly in love with Paris. I understand Emily in Paris, just like every other person who dreams of going (again) to the city of lights - who is head over heels with it, mystified by it, and exhilarated by it.

The chic, calm, and cool Parisians dislike the image of Paris that the show presents, but how can you really experience the city if you don’t live out the stereotypes to the fullest?

How to Live Out French Stereotypes Like Emily in Paris

1. Believe in yourselfie - Episode 1: Emily in Paris

The romance will grip you immediately the first time you see Paris through your apartment window. It will take a hold of you every single time thereafter.

Take a selfie! The buildings are old, so beautiful, and probably haunted but hey, you’re finally in Paris!

2. Don’t flake on croissants (or any pastry!) - Episode 1: Emily in Paris

Remember when Emily bit into her first croissant in Paris and lost her mind? 😭

Don’t deprive yourself!

I had un pain au chocolat et café crème for breakfast everyday, and it was something worth slowing down for.

3. Cafe food is ducking delicious and rich - Episode 2: Masculin Féminin

We ordered a three course foie gras meal each at Le Comptoir de La Gastronomie. All I have to say to that is, “Je n'ai pas de regrets!”

Emily, on the other hand, would have been full of regrets if Gabriel had not successfully convinced her to try the steak! Talk about missing out on ducking delicious French food. What an awful place to be in.

[Be open to new things. Not only will the food be different, so will the dining service. The servers won’t come over to ask you if you like your food. They already know the stuff they’re giving you is the shhzznazz. They also respect the time for conversation, so there’s none of that subtle (or not so subtle) “The cheque is ready whenever you are” business. They want you to fully enjoy that meal and your conversation. You’ll have to try really hard to flag them down for the cheque."]

ALSO DO NOT FEAR TO EAT. That is foolish and takes us to #4.

4. Why Parisians are thin and never seen in Lululemons - Episode 1: Emily in Paris

Most apartments in Paris will take your breath away.

Literally. You’ll be huffing and puffing up those staircases, just like Emily when she lugged her suitcases up to her flat. Most of the buildings do not have an elevator and stairs are a path well travelled.

Be grateful for your free and natural hikes every day. You can eat whatever you want because of them.

5. Rocking Pictures with Stone Statues - Episode 2: Masculin Féminin

Oui, how very cultured of you to be standing next to these really old statues.

6. Park your derrière at a park bench - Episode 1: Emily in Paris

Would the Emily + Mindy friendship ever have started if she had not sat down on this park bench?

When my bestie and I travelled to Paris, we noticed how much more seating Parisians had in their parks. Our life became a series of mid-afternoon picnics, conversation, and people watching.

7. I Fell for the Eiffel Tower at Night - Episode 2: Masculin Féminin

GORGEOUS.

La tour Eiffel will sparkle for 5 minutes every hour on the hour at night!

8. “You live to work. We work to live.” - Episode 1: Emily in Paris

These words from Luc did not sit well with Emily, who likes work and accomplishment.

I loved their conversation, because it shows how hard it is to find that balance.

In Paris, the pace is much slower. There are five weeks of mandatory vacation time in a year. The parks are not empty between 9 to 5.

Maybe we can adopt a thing or two here.

You can’t die from rest, but you can die from too much work.

9. It’s Wine O’Clock Right Now - Episode 3: Sexy or Sexist

Emily: “I’m going out to lunch. A long lunch with wine.”

Julien: “It’s 11am.”

Emily: “Well! C’est la vie!”

10. La Vie En Rose! - Episode 6: Ringarde

Paris fills the senses! Not everyone will get an impromptu rendition of Mindy’s La Vie En Rose at the park, but keep your ears open!

The first time I was in Paris, I still remember hearing La Valse d’Amelie on the accordion when I first stepped out of the Métro station. I loved that moment.

11. In-Seine Walks along the Seine - Episode 3 - Sexy or Sexist

If you have not had a WTF moment on the Seine, it’s probably a sign to not leave Paris just yet.

In EiP, Emily is flabbergasted when she realizes the model of her client’s perfume commercial will be walking naked along the Seine.

IRL, while on a gorgeous sunset walk (also along the Seine if that was not obvious), my friend was also flabbergasted when she saw a guy with his penis hanging out.

“Did you see that?!” She asked.

Mais non! The only package I want right now is the one from Amazon.

12. Paris is for Lovers - Episode 5: Faux Amis

This is the oldest cliché alive!

Ask Emily and Mindy and they’ll probably agree that love in friendships speak volumes.

Paris, we adore all your stereotypes! We know we will always be the outsiders, because you own that je ne sais quoi we wished you could bottle up and sell to us as a perfume.

In the meantime? We’ll always have Emily in Paris.