Part III of Shaina’s essential words and phrases cover interesting tidbits on things to do in Paris, including some helpful advice about why (and when) not to ask for ice and butter in restaurants.
1) TTC—toutes taxes comprises (taxes included) [toot tahx coh(m)-preez]
HT—hors taxes (without taxes) [ohr tahx]
Although sales tax is high in France, it’s already included in the price you see posted for almost all items—that’s what that TTC means.
Watch out for anything saying HT though, that means taxes are not included—I’m looking at you, E. Dehillerin! (E.Dehillerin is a famous kitchen supply store in Paris. Although many individuals visit the store, it’s geared towards professionals so the prices posted there are HT.)
2) VF (version française) (French version) [vehr-zeeoh(n) frah(n)-sehz]
VO (version originale) (original version) [vehr-zeeoh(n) ohr-ihzh-ee-nahl]
Parisians love their movies and almost any kind of movie imaginable is playing somewhere in Paris, from old classics and family films, to recent releases and well, not-so-recent releases from all over the world. The movie theaters often have deep, comfortable chairs and although they show commercials before the movie, the movie theater will most likely list how long after the posted time the actual movie begins so that you can arrive later and skip most, or all, of the commercials.
If on a rainy day (and it’s Paris, so there will be one) you decide to participate in this classic part of Parisian culture, make sure to carefully read the listing before buying your ticket. You will see the little marks “VF” and “VO” next to most of the movie listings. VF means the movie has been dubbed into French. VO means it is in the original language, whether that is English, French or Danish, with subtitles (“sous-titré[e]”) in French if it’s a foreign film.
Paris is an international city, and many Parisians prefer watching the movie in its original language, so you should have no trouble finding movies in VO. Enjoy!
Pick up a “Pariscope” at a newstand (it comes out weekly and it’s cheap!) to get movie listings.
3) ice and butter (French translations not provided)
Most French restaurants, except perhaps the more tourist-oriented ones, do not serve ice with the water and butter with the little basket of bread. If you ask for either, you’ll most likely get the same dirty look you would get in an American restaurant asking the waiter to substitute turkey, red pepper, and cheese for the BLT in the BLT sandwich on the menu.
Avoid this fate and don’t request either. Believe me, you’ll still get a chance to eat plenty of French butter.
French films are always a favorite. Photo by Benh Lieu Song. Wikipedia Commons.
