So, twenty-two years ago Rick Steves began to host a travel show on PBS. I know this because people began to tell me my husband was hosting a travel show. Evidently Rick Steves looks a bit like Gary, particularly when both were swamped by giant aviator glasses.
(Aside from the eyebrows, I don’t see it.) This put me right off Rick Steves, and I never watched his show or read a word he wrote.
However, Gary picked up his phrasebook and in it he read a detail neither of us had heard before. According to Gary, this man claims when you call a waiter over in France, you don’t make a hand wave gesturing toward yourself, but instead you gesture away. A ‘shoo-shoo’ motion.
“Gary must not be reading for comprehension,” I thought generously.
This Big ‘Shoo-shoo’ Secret inspired Gary to get Rick Steve’s Paris guidebook. Today I read in the guidebook that the museums are very crowded on Wednesdays because school is closed that day.
I just typed that, and I don’t even believe it. Is there some type of subversive humor I just don’t “get” in these Rick Steves books? “It is the custom to kiss the taxi driver goodbye.” “Show your appreciation of a good bottle of wine by pouring it down your shirt.” Rick has also told Gary that to gesture “one,” you stick out your thumb, “two” is just your index finger. I don’t know what three is, then.
11 responses to “Rick Steves Liebook?”
I took half a dozen guide books with me. The DK Guide to Paris was great. And I used the Rick Steves Guide for the day by day thing.
I was so proud of myself for seeing all these marvelous things on the first day. And when I sat down at a cafe, I realized that I’d done the first day.
Ooo! Very important! Get the museum card (carnet, I think?) This way you can just breeze past the lines. Seriously. And I also got a five or six day Metro pass and used that. It was great. I think you can use it on the buses too.
I’ve never heard of those weird customs but then again, I was resigned to just being the crass American in jeans and sneakers. This way people would know I was a buffoon when I tried to speak French.
Er, I meant, I’d done only half the first day.
I’ll say this about rick steve. he doesn’t try to blend, always wheres the same geeky button down shirts and doesn’t even attempt the simple accents, like spanish. pronouces everything with that silly canadian esque accent.
stay true to who you are and no matter what the do the world will love you.
🙂
Gary DOES look like Rick Steves! Um, I’m sure all of Paris will love Gary and his shoo-shoo motion. (I can’t WAIT for the Paris blog entries…)
Becs – I know! I was just looking at those last night. I assumed Rick was on cocaine to have the energy to do all that.Mrs Hall – But I am intrigued by the thought of blending in. It made the second week of London much better after I’d acquired the accent.Erin G – He’s taken to screaming “FUCK THE FRENCH” whenever he reads something in the guidebooks like “The French live about 20 decibels below America and will not appreciate and enthusiastic volume.” (I made that up. I’m sure RS can write better than that.)
whaaa? Is this the same Rick Steves I know and love from his guides to Paris and Rome?
My first thought when the page loaded was “Wow! Gary has lost weight.” Then I realized it wasn’t him.I’m sure you can do a Google search on the Parisian school week. If you come back with wine stains on your shirts I’m going to smack you for wasting French wine.
I’ll forgive the wine stains if you come back with a case of Bordeaux pour moi.
Hattie – Yes! We have the Paris guide. He said the “Shushing gesture” remark in his phrasebook, though.Hot Mom -“The school week is 24 hours long. Some schools opt for a four day week with six hours of classes per day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. ” Becs – You need to be more specific.
Good Lord, I have expensive taste. I just looked up the price of 2000 Bordeaux (from anywhere). It’s astronomical. But when you’re there, you must try it. Be warned, though. It’s the best vintage in a gazillion years and I haven’t really been able to drink wine since having it.
A simple bottle of 2003 or 2005 St. Emilion will be warmly received.
Becs – Got it. And thanks for the Bprdeaux recommendation. I’m hoping I’ll go and realize it is the sulfites Americans require in wine that taste so bad to me.