The French like fitting into stereotypes

well, maybe they wouldn't want to consider it a stereotype, but their culture is portrayed quite accurately in Hollywood. I would like to think that I could break all the stereotypes and assumptions every tourist has, but there's a reason why in movies there's a baguette in every French person's grocery bag- because there actually is. I've been keeping a mental note of what I've seen in Paris that makes me say to myself "Haven't I seen this before?"
Here are some of my expectations that were met:

1). The Eiffel Tower viewed from the bedroom window- The most classic scene of any American movie filming (or even not filming) in Paris. Just watch Moulin Rouge. That Eiffel Tower gleams like its Elton John. Oh, but who am I referring to with this scene? Sure, not every window has a view, but my close friend Zoe here has a view of the Tower from non other than her bedroom window. Oh. La. La.
2). The beret- Not as frequent as you are told, but yes-I've seen lots of girls wearing a beret. That is one trend I can't deny.
3). Smoking- Lots of people have asked me if I have started smoking. It might do me wonders if I wanted to try and fit in better.
4). Black Clothing- This is a city thing. Black dominates.
5). Beautiful people- This is the truest statement. I typically see a fair share of beautiful people on the Metro. Beaucoup de French boys I wouldn't mind to talk to, but since it's the Metro, everything is considered creepy by default. It's just the way it is.
6). City of romance- It's actually not as cute anymore. Up through Valentine's Day I was enjoying the romance in the air. Couples holding hands, couples with arms around each other's waist, couples kissing to say hello, couples smooching, couples making out... wait. Making out? Yes. After I saw a couple last weekend in their forties fully swapping spit at the entrance of the Metro, I realized that the amount of PDA here was overwhelming. There was another time at Le Sacre Coeur-a couple would NOT move from the door where it was clearly a wonderful spot for a photo. It's like Holly and Michael standards in the Valentine's Day episode. If only Paris could be an office and Sarkozy could set some rules. Or maybe I just need a date.
7). Bikes- It's no Madison, Wisconsin-but there are sure beaucoup de bicycles. Usually, in touristy areas there will be rows of bikes for rent. It's pretty cheap too-only a euro or two for the first hour to ride. And from what I can tell, I see many empty racks-meaning they are in demand just like the Justin Bieber hair cut.

Just like in Beauty and the Beast, people do yell out "Bonjour!"
to you. Here, a woman leans out of her window
along the Seine to wave hello to us.
(Look at the four stories building shown at the very top on the left)

What didn't meet my Hollywood-induced expectations:
1). Striped shirts- Okay, striped shirts are for mimes. Occasionally I see someone wearing one. But it's simply a pattern. Although, you could consider stripes the equivalent of our "up northerners" plaid, peut-etre.
2). Mean French people- Okay they are not that mean! Just read my post about smiling. They are misunderstood. Sometimes.
3). Le Sacre Coeur- When I first approached Le Sacre Coeur, I thought it was missing something. Almost as if they had a lot of land and replaced it with surrounding apartments and trees. Or maybe it was missing Amelie and her magical aura. Either way, it was replaced with unassuming gangs and beggars. However, everything is restored when you make it to the top and take in that view. C'est tres jolie.
4). Thin people- Okay, this is true. I haven't seen one overweight person yet! At least not that i recall. The only one I can tell that's putting on some lb's is me. I don't know how the French can east so much and stay so thin! I mean I get that the walking pays off... but what's their secret? Maybe future blog post when I find out..?

So as you can see, the expectations met weigh more than the expectations not met. I give Hollywood a high five. Alright, well as for me, I'm going to finish watching Amelie and curl into bed while my homemade cut out of the eiffel tower pretends to gleam on my window pane.