New Britain herald., 1926-08-20
PARIS CHANGES
 FROM OTHER DAYS
Now One Finds Conditions Much
 Different

Washington, Aug. 20.-Amer orleans recently have been reminded on high authority that they will find many things that are different in Paris, and that it Is the part of courtesy, as well as common sense, to accept the Parisian ways of doing things when one is in Paris.
 There is no doubt about the diff ference in many customs. Some times the Partisan way seems most welcome, at other times it seems strange, but in either event, one has not far to look to find there is reason back of every custom.
 A Novel Meal Check Device
 At times the Parisian seems to have outdone his American friends in efficiency For example there is the billing device of some of the larger sidewalk cafes. Each plate and cup bears a price mark-50 centimes, one franc. and so forth and the refreshments are served in containers bearing the proper cost mark. If second cup of chocolate is ordered, the empty cup will be set to one side, and another cup bearing the price mark served.
 When the customer is ready to pay he does not have to depend on the memory of the waiter, or scan a bill of fare, nor does the waiter have to juggle with checks. The addition of the empty containers is obviously the amount of his bill.
 In contrast is the rather cumber- some method of booking a seat in Paris theater. In some thea ters, at least, one must first pur- chase the right to sit in a certain part of the house-the orchestra, balcony, or a box. This coupon then must be taken to another desk to have seat assigned. Even if one buys designated seat, this ex- change always is necessary.
 Finding a Theater Seat
 The patron next turns to a head uesher, who leads him to the pro- gram seller, and after he has pur- chased program, a custom which also prevails in English theaters, he encounters the peculiar Parisian practice of having an usher charge to show him to a seat. And there is little hope of his finding his own seat because seats are identified only by numbers, not by rows which are lettered, and then numbered by rows.
 The American, impatient at his circuitous progress to his seat. and having reached into his pocket three or four times so far, is apt to be- come annoyed and conclude he is being overcharged. This often is his feeling even when he was buy Ing a seat which, at an exchange rate of about 3 cents for the franc, cost him less than $2, even adding in the price of program, the price Of being shown to his seat, and the 50 centimes collected if he went to q lavatory between the acts.
 Theater Prices Very Low.
 This price is for the best orches- tra. seat in the best theaters in Paris, when comparable locations would have cost him S4 or S5 in any New York theater even without the spec ulators' tax which he would have to pay there for popular shows.
 And the Parisians have reasons for each of the charges; for there is not one, but there are several taxes, | levied on theater seats and these ; !.
 Several features of the best Par iSian theaters, however, must ap- peal to even the casual visitor. One is the large amount of standing room provided for and sold at low price, so that anyone who is alone, wishes to remain only an hour, or is | skepticai about the merits of 6 | show, may go in for a short time, | and go on his way without having | expended the full price of a seat. | Another feature which adds to the enjoyment of Paris theater atten- dance is the large promenade and refreshment rooms which permit a stroll between acts and make it pos sible to sit down at a table and en- joy 8 beverage or a smoke, or to walk about and so some window shopping" at the many displays and exhibitions which merchants have contracted for in these super-lob- bies. The length of intermission, of course, is much longer than those in American theaters, frequently be- ing from 20 to 30 minutes
 The Search For Soap.
 Another difficulty which the visi- tor in Paris might as well make up his mind to accept is that his hotel room, no matter what the price, nor how elegantly it may be furnished and provided with every other com fort, is not going to have any soap. One explanation of this lack may be in the fact that all toilet articles are expensive, being heavily taxed; more plausible one. in view of the fact that good Paris hotels stop at no expense or pains for their guests comfort, is that the Partisan regards the soap he uses much as We do toothbrush, as a peculiarly personal and individual thing, not to be pro- vided by someone else.
 Ice is scarce in Paris, as it is in England. In neither London nor Paris is the climate such that cold drinks are necessary to comfort; anyway the Europeans may be right in their belief that chilled drinks impede the processes of digestion Many American doctors concur; and will argue with the French about gastronomic topics.
 File Case For Napkins.
 It is almost unnecessary to in quire, Where is a good place to eat in Paris?" One can hardly go wrong if he visits a Paris cafe, serving Par lsians, and having the earmarks of good establishment. Here again the Partisan habit, which pre- vaiIs all over Europe, of allOCatinE