Title sought to gain a realistic view of life in Paris by speaking with two young creatives residing there, Elvis and Selma, about the portrayal of European culture in the Netflix series “Emily in Paris” through an American lens. We also offer advice for newcomers hoping to live in Paris post-pandemic. The show’s American writer, Darren Star, prompted us to seek the perspective of locals. For a review and overview of the show, see “Why is everyone talking about Emily in Paris?”
Selma:
What did you think of the show? Did you enjoy it?
I did enjoy the show, but more in a way that I watched it to pass the time. It’s not a show you have to think about too much. I don’t want to sound rude but the show is slightly dumb, you can turn your brain off to watch it. I did still watch the whole thing though so I’d say I liked it to a certain extent.
As a Parisian, do you think “Emily in Paris” was an accurate representation of life in Paris, the French culture and Paris itself?
I think we can all agree that “Emily in Paris” is not an accurate representation of life in Paris, the french picture and Paris itself. I guess it might be more of a representation of certain kinds of people in Paris. Basically where she’s walking and the agency where she works, but this is definitely not Paris. I think it’s also mean to say that Parisians are completely unreachable. Showing her drinking wine in a big house outside of Paris is such a stereotype and not the real Paris.
Do you feel like the show represents too many clichés or stereotypes?
Yes, the show was literally created around stereotypes, but some are a bit true.
What was missing from the show? Could they have added something to more accurately represent Paris?
I find what was missing the most was definitely different diversity, ethnicities, and cultures. It’s insane to me how the show only has one black and one asian character when in reality if you came to Paris you would see how different it is. Paris has an amazing reach to different ethnicities and is especially representative of Middle Eastern cultures, which I was surprised to see none of on the show. That was pretty disappointing. If they wanted to represent Paris better they could have chosen a more diverse cast. I’m proud to say when I look at my own group of friends it’s an amazing sight of different cultures and ethnicities. I’m surprised no one saw a problem with this cast.
What do you want people to know about French culture that’s different from the show?
French culture isn’t just that what they represented in the show. I think it’s just one type of french vision and there’s so much more from the food that’s been shown and the people that have been shown even the work that has been shown. I’d like people to know that there’s so many different people in Paris, that’s what makes it magical. That’s also what I was trying to say when mentioning how little black people they have on the show for example. I think black culture is part of Paris too, many cultures are. To only show two people of color and that’s it, I think Paris is definitely more than that.
Emily had a hard time adjusting to what the show represents as “Parisian mentality”. How do you think this mentality fits into Paris and what tips would you give Emily as sort of a “Parisian guide”?
I don’t have many tips to give to be honest on how to survive in Paris. But they would be tips mostly on trying to connect with people, because this is a way to no matter where you are going to actually fit into the city and try to communicate, try to exchange with people. I mean, I do think unfortunately french people don’t speak that much english. I think it’s just mainly about talking and communication, there’s not much more than that.
Where would you take someone who’s completely new to Paris? What parts of Paris should newcomers see?
It would be hard to try to show the magic of Paris currently, but easy to show other aspects of the city and not only the center. Paris is not only two districts. I’d recommend going to the Canal Saint-Martin, canal in Paris where people stop by to chill, and have some coffee, lunch, bière. Do a tour of the area, go to Marche st Quentin for groceries, walk to Strasbourg Saint Denis, take drinks there. It would also be nice to have a walk through Pigalle or the 10th. I mean that’s if we’re talking about a city before lockdown, now it’s a bit different obviously.
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Elvis:
What did you think of the show? Did you enjoy it?
I actually kind of enjoyed the show. It was a bit cringy but also somewhat accurate. At least the attitude towards Emily was sometimes relatable. But I do also think it’s kind of outdated.
Was “Emily in Paris” in your opinion an accurate representation of life in Paris from a foreigner’s perspective?
One thing I did find pretty accurate in the show was when Emily’s boss told Emily that she didn’t respect the company because she didn’t learn any French or didn’t learn anything about the culture before she moved to France. I think that that is quite real that part, because when you don’t speak French you actually lose a lot of opportunities or options. It is in some way your own responsibility when you move to another country to learn about the languages and try to learn the culture. Culture isn’t easy to learn, but if you read and take notes and observe then you can fit in. Because you weren’t born here or you didn’t grow up here it’s not in your mind, it’s not your culture, but just try to learn more about it to understand it. Fitting in is really hard, it takes time. The longer you live there the more you’ll feel comfortable. Try to keep an open mind.
Do you feel like the show represents too many clichés or stereotypes?
Yes, I definitely think that. But it was a comedy and which made it too exaggerated sometimes.
What was missing from the show? Could they have added something to more accurately represent Paris?
The show was definitely too positive. It didn’t show the real Paris, it just showed the surface things. It didn’t show how hard it really is and how tough the city is. It also didn’t show how nice Paris can be outside of all the tourist spots. It really just showed the city from a Westerners perspective, almost even a tourist.
Is there something that stuck out to you the most about French culture when you first moved to Paris?
I’d say, before I moved here I lived all my whole 18 year life in China, so from my sense I just always thought Western people were more open minded and more international, more inclusive I guess for different races and people from other countries. So, that was just my mindset before I came here about Western countries and about France in general included, but not specifically about which one is what. I was quite innocent and ignorant, but also not well educated and international enough too. I was quite shocked before I came here, when I found out that France was not as international as I thought it would be. It’s not in a negative because also I couldn’t say that. In China, for the people who don’t travel that much or have less education or even just the old generation, they don’t know that much about foreign countries as well, so it was just a shock to me that they are not as inclusive and international as I thought it would be.
In China, everything is also instant, it’s very fast. Even though you might have to wait in line somewhere, you can basically do everything instantly. That’s another thing that shocked me when I moved here, especially when doing all the essential things after moving to start a life.
How did you adjust to French culture and in what ways did that reflect the stereotypical “Parisian mentality” from the show?
Before I moved to France, I actually didn’t know much about French culture, except for really surface things like the Eiffel tower and things like that. But in terms of the culture, the people’s mindset and etc., I didn’t know that much before I came here. In the beginning, I was very impatient and it wasn’t logical to me. I didn’t exactly have a culture shock, it was more the lifestyle and administration stuff that was new to me, more things in your daily life. I sort of told myself before I got to France that everything was going to be different and prepared my mindset for a big change. I told myself to adjust my internal emotions to better understand the changes and differences. That’s how I would say I adjusted to French culture. It doesn’t matter how many articles you read or how many things you might do to try and prepare yourself, you’re still not really prepared. Everything on the paper or article are just words. Unless you encountered it, then you would know how to deal with it. But if you prepare your mindset, you’ll just know whatever happens is part of life and the journey, so just be patient and take everything as part of something that’s going to happen at some point. Take it easy and deal with every situation.
What advice would you give to Emily or anyone who’d want to move to Paris? How could they prepare themselves for such a new experience?
If possible, please learn the languages, to make your life easier and everyone’s around you. Also just to have more opportunities and you can make more friends. But be patient with everything and just take it easy. You decided to move here so no matter what difficulties you encounter is going to be because of that. You are going to have to come out of your comfort zone, so culture shock is an inevitable thing but embrace it. You can take it as an adventure. If you didn’t decide to move there you wouldn’t be learning new things. So, I think culture shock isn’t that negative of a thing if you think differently about it. Shock makes you grow and open your horizon, it’s a good thing. As long as you tell yourself that this is what you were looking for. That’s why you moved abroad, to experience a new side of the earth.
