Smart. Many older really hate to give up their homes and move into ‘care’ facilities. Can’t blame them, I’d feel the same way. Still better when they can chose it for themselves, over waiting for younger generations to chose for them. Having choice and locus of control provides dignity and offers a glimmer of…

Mr Mars and I traveled to London and Amsterdam in 2002. We just told everyone we were Canadian!

Black. Neutrals in general. Parisians don’t smile much, but they don’t mind if you do. In my opinion, they could use it! Fun book to read before your trip — Stuff Parisians Like by Olivier Magny. Then look up Olivier and maybe make a rez at his wine bar, O Chateau.

I hope you have a fantastic time!! Having spent many happy days roaming around both Paris and London, I wager you will have a total blast. I’ll be in Amsterdam, enjoying the art museums this spring break. And shouldn’t be too cold, either, for you in London and Paris. Do you have plans that you care to share?

Do not ask for directions in London. People there love misdirecting visitors. Museums are free - yay! Leave a few quid in the donation boxes near the entrance(s). In Paris, if your order is re-pronounced or your pronounciation corrected, take it as a sign you’re doing fine with the language. I wouldn’t worry too…

What area in London will you be in? I might be able to help.

Wear black. Be discreet about looking at maps when on the street or taking photos (with a real camera, since most people just use phones).

Best of luck with the elder care project. Hope they are happy in their new home. How nice is that, that they still have each other despite being ready to move to a senior living facility. Ooops, hope I’m not jumping the gun—maybe they are fit and feisty in their 70s, still. Not trying to be condescending.

from what I can tell, most people aren’t going to be running you out with pitchforks. I mean, Europe has it’s own right wing bullshit issues to worry about, too.

As most everyone has said, you will be fine! To be honest, my main suggestion is to try and seek out spots in London and Paris that are truly local. Both cities are overwhelmed by chain restaurants (that seem like local spots), so do your research beforehand to try and find truly independent restaurants, coffee shops…

I would wear the shit out of that tee. Fuck the conservatives.

I travel a lot and was in Paris and Reykjavik last year (my, I think, 5th and 6th trips to Europe?). Not trying to brag but I like travel and food and books. So I live in a tiny condo and get the passport with extended pages :) Anyway, here’s the thing: people in Europe, yep, even Paris, dress like people everywhere.…

The fact that you are traveling overseas should keep you off the Trump supporter stereotype list.

Anything we can do to better blend in?

Years ago, no one wore sunglasses in Paris. Now they’re common. Guess they figured out the correlation between squinting and crow’s feet.

Yeah, think arch support, a thick sole for cobblestones — these sound perfect. Leggings, tights, and skinny jeans. All perfect. And while American women don’t wear sheer black pantyhose, Parisian women still do. (Sometimes under Daisy Dukes and with a suit jacket, but not in March.)

I agree. Now, I’ve mostly been to Paris and have discovered that people are very polite, so long as you do your part. A Parisian shopkeeper will say “Bonjour,” when you walk into a shop. You are expected to return the greeting in French. If you don’t, it’s considered an insult to the shopkeeper, as though you’re…

I just started some tomato seeds!

And speaking of coming after His Candycornness, I have been tossing an idea around for several days now about how to prevent resistance fatigue, and I would like people’s opinions. If folks think it would be useful, I am willing to host and moderate a site called, for example, Pick Your Battles.org.

This afternoon I met two girlfriends for a brunch that ended up lasting for about four hours, and I feel so refreshed. One of them ‘came out’ to me about having had an abortion a few years ago and it was SO nice to bond over our mutual experience and discuss how it needs to be normalized. She told me I’m the only…