Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-10-04
Fleeing AMERICANS.
Some of tho Tricks Which Parisians Play
ON Helpless Victims.

ON Helpless Victims.
The fact is that Americans who come
to Paris and don't know the ropes dc
get most nercilessly swindled. Fully
50 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 it again. They sat Paris
down as regular fraud" This is q
pity, because it is hard lines on man
who comes to city for change and
a holiday to be sent away with his
temper spoiled, and all the more sc
that with a little precautiOn 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 s. day and a
meal. Very few, however, content
themselves with such salary. 1t is
to the extras that they look for their
profits. Thus it is very usual at meal
times for the courier to 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-
pensive. If the client has not the same
tastes as he, so much the worse for
him. When the bill has been paid the
courier pockets the docsnent and will
call in the evening to get 20 per cent.
commission.
The American refer to 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
$107 for a breakfast which he had been
unable to eat. Elsewhere he had spent
$40 on dinner, which he valued at IS
cents.
To convince him that one can dine
well and cheaply In Paris, I took him
to a restaurant l frequent, consulted
his tastes, and gave him dinner which
cost me for the two of us just $1.4O.
He said he had not dined so well since
he had been in Paris. If 4
There is absolutely no necessity to
take ones guide to lunch or dinner,
and if 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
if they would avoid visiting houses
where the prices of dishes are not
marked on the billa 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 b. the American Wis
itor. unless he is accompanied by
habitue. Barring the pleasure of
tickled vanity, there is scant profit in
paying $50 for a dianer barely worth s..
1t should also De remembered that
prices of dishes are for quantities
sufficient for two persons at all the
better restaurants.
Items not marked on the bill of fare
which may be offered by the walters
should be left untouched. Two or
three prawns on II plate, few olives
on another and s'.ch kickshaws, will,
if touched, bring the bill up % per
cent. Walters are in the habit of put
ting these on the able 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
ments offered to foreigners in change
for good money. 1t should be noted
that the only moneys current in
France besides 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 a loss of 20
per cent. The coins of the late Papal
States can be passed at nominal value,
but should be avoided if possible.
In ordering goods made to measure.
such as ladies' or gentlemen's clothes.
a written contract should be made,
otherwise the amount charged will
very probably be doubled on the bill.
The tradesman, if 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 at
the booking offices of the theaters in
advance.
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