In the event of a crash with no chance of survival, sure, you’ve got a point. But imagine you’re in a window seat, the plane skids off the runway and catches fire, and the guy in the aisle seat next to you has his tray table down (or worse, his tray table is down and the lady in front of him has her seat reclined). A…

But how do I inspect a machine in China that’s as big as your house without flying there? I guess I could take a boat....

A long time ago, I was in a training session given by a guy who had trained some salespeople at a big food company. They had decided that the instructions on the canned corn they sold — essentially, “open can, pour in pan, heat until hot” — were unnecessary, so they removed them. As soon as they did, their phone lines…

The first time I applied I think it took about 10 days. Last time was under a week, I think. I haven’t had to repeat the process since then because they gave me a 10-year visa, which I understand is not unusual these days if you have a US passport (thanks to a diplomatic agreement that went into effect in late 2014, I…

A useful variation on this advice for itineraries with connections: Tight connections are very often okay if you’re connecting early in the day because if you miss your flight, there are usually other flights the airline can put you on that same dayu. On the other hand, if your connection is the last flight of the…

Really, Cadbury? While I admit I prefer dark chocolate, I also like milk chocolate and eat it often and enthusiastically. But even when I was a sugar-obsessed child I found Cadbury too sweet. As an adult I can manage about one bite before it feels like my teeth are going to fall out. I never thought of myself as a…

I wouldn’t. Cargo pants will mark you as a tourist, making you a target (at least in large European cities like Paris and Rome), and pickpockets are fast. Loud velcro will only mean you can file your police report sooner.

If what I’ve seen around Paris in the last week is any indication, the next “in” thing with overalls is wearing them with the bib down. Not so good if you’re trying to stash your valuables in the bib pocket. The women I saw wearing them that way also wore blouses that were knotted in front instead of buttoned. All I…

Okay, so first of all, considering that you are one of my favorite writers on the internet and my wife and I have greatly benefited from your sous vide, happy hour, and trash, we would gladly have taken you out for drinks while you were in Paris. If you didn’t make it to Le Syndicat for a cocktail or three you have to…

I’m consistently amazed at how few of my wife’s clothing items even have pockets, and the pockets on her jeans are stunningly useless. I’m even more amazed at all of this when I see how excited the judges on Project Runway, who are professional women’s clothing designers, get whenever a contestant puts pockets in…

I don’t live in San Jose, but I’ve spent roughly a year there, one week at a time, for work over the last five years.

During the off season (Oct-Mar), the Louvre opens for free on the first Sunday of each month.

Half the time I suspect the French understand just fine, but choose not to engage in English.

I’m an American who has been living in Paris for some time now, and I have hosted many a friend and family member. I’ll try not to repeat too much of what has already been said.

Saying “bonjour” is generally something you do when you interact with someone. I usually don’t say it to a random person on the street, and I certainly don’t say it to everyone I pass in a packed place, but sometimes I might if I make eye contact and I always do if I actually speak with them. I will also say it to…

I don’t know how many Jews there are in Paris in terms of population, but the ones who are here don’t seem shy about being visible. In parts of the 4th and 17th arrondissements, there are concentrations of businesses that clearly identify themselves as Jewish or kosher or in some way catering to the Jewish community,…

I love this idea! Now I just have to figure out how to keep a bottle of vermouth around long enough to oxidize....

The Dutch have hygge too, they just call it gezelig.

I’ve done this once or twice when flying with large non-discount airlines and it all worked out fine, but it’s bad advice if you’re flying a discount airline in Europe or Asia. Those guys live for fees, and gate-checking a bag is typically more expensive than checking it the normal way. And if your bag is a millimeter…

Where the hell were you six hours ago?! I’m in Europe and I’m old, so it’s already bedtime!