Afro-independent. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. ;) 1888-1???, 1888-09-22
HEecfpc AMERICANS.
.suae Of the Tricks which rarlalans PLAY
ON Helpless victitag.

20 Paris and don't know the ropes do
get most mercilessly swindled. Fully
80 per cent of the large sums spent by
Americans in this city brings no return
in value of any sort or kind Many
leave Paris Indignantly and vow never
to set foot in IL again They set Paris
down as Irregular fraud. This Ii
pity. because Il Is hard lines on man
who comes to a city for change and
a holiday TO be sent away with his
temper spoiled, and all the more so
that with little preeaution he could
easily avoid the harpies who infest
Paris, perhaps, more than any other
continental city, including Naples.
Much good money Is wasted on guides
and couriers. The regulation fee for
the services OF these Is ~ day and a
meal. Very few, however, content
themselves with such a salary. IL is
to the extras that they look for their
profits. Thus 10 is very usual at meal
times for the courier 10 take his client
to an expensive restaurant. His client
can't speak French, wants TO sample
French cookery and bids his guide
order. The guide orders every thing
that he likes and what is most ex-
pensiye. II the client has not the same
tastes as he, so much the worse for
him. When the bin has been paid the
courier pockets the document and will
call in the evening TO get 20 per cent.
commission.
The American refer 10 had in this
way been taken to all the best restau-
rants in Paris, and had spent on him
self and his guide what would suffice
TO keep French peasant and his fami-
ly for year. At one house, which Is
noted for its good cookery and the
moderateness Of its prices, he had paid
$l07 for breakfast which he had been
unable to eat. Elsewhere he had spent
&40 on n dinner, which he valued ut 70
cents.
To convince him that one can dine
well and cheaply In Paris, ! took him
20 restaurant /, 1uent. consulted
his tastes. and gave him a dinner which
cost me for the two of us Just &i.40.
He said he had not dined so we'll since
he had been In Paris. tv.s
There is absolutely no necessity TO
take ones guide TO lunch or dinner,
and II visitors would remember this
they would save much money and fare
very much better. In every good res
taurant In Paris there ARE walters who
can speak English TO translate the items
on the bill OF fare.
Much annoyance would also be saved
TO visitors who dine at the restaurants
IL they would avoid visiting houses
whore the prices OF dishes are not
marked on the bills OF fare. At such
houses the amount OF the bill depends
on the appearance of squeezeability
or otherwise OF the customer. The
very celebrated houses should be
strictly avoided by the American Wis
itor, unless he Is accompanied by "a
habitue. Barring the pleasure OF a
tickled vanity, there Is scant profit In
paying $50 for dinner barely worth g.
II should also be remembered that
prices Of dishes are for quantities
sufficient for two persons ut all the
better restaurants.
Items not marked on the bill OF faro
which may be offered by the walters
should be loft untouched. Two or
three prawns on plate, "A few olives
ON another and such kickshaws. will.
II touched. bring the bill up Is per
cent Walters are in tho habit OF put
ting these on this table without being
ordered TO do so.
In the matter OF change visitors
should be very careful, Certain moneys
which have no legal currency In France
are invariably at certain establish
meuts offered ~ foreigners In change
for good money. II should be noted
that the only moneys current in
France beside1 French coins are
those OF Italy, Greece. Switzerland
and Belgium. Russian and Austrian
gold Is also currency. Roumanian,
Spanish and South American coins
should invariably be refused. They
can only be disposed OF at loss OF 20
per cent, The coins of the late Papal
States can be passed at nominal value,
but should be avoided II possible.
In ordering goods made to measure.
such as ladies' or gentlemens clothes,
u written contract should be made,
otherwise the amount charged will
very probably be doubled ON the bill.
The tradesman, II payment Is refused,
has the right TO prevent him from
leaving Paris. Tickets for theaters
should never be bought at any OF the
theatrical agencies In the city. These
charge about double the right prices.
Visitors can always procure tickets ut
the booking offices OF the theaters In
advance.
These are few indications Of how
to avoid being swindled In Paris. aud
II people would observe them ono
would hear less complaints from visit
ors. Their is no city, perhaps, in the
world where SO much pleasure can be