The Consummate Traveler: The Permanent Souvenir

A scarf can compliment one's outfit and add an heir of sophistication. (Andrejs Pidjass/ Photos.com)

As I get older (and wiser I hope), I am trying to take a fresh approach as I travel the world for my job. Rather than just focusing mainly on getting the work done and sightseeing a bit, I am trying to consciously appreciate the little things around me that leave a positive impression. In fact, I am trying to go a step further to take home with me what I like to call a “permanent souvenir.”

While I do admit that I still seek out a cute refrigerator magnet to commemorate my trips, I thought it would be an even better idea to take a piece of the culture home as well. This can be anything from the way individuals greet each other, to how they dress, what or how they eat, or expressions they use to describe things. I will share with you the three permanent souvenirs I have just brought home with me after my latest trips to Europe.

Although I have been to Paris many times over the years and have always immensely enjoyed the beauty and elegance of the city, I didn’t really think that I could bottle some of this up and bring it home with me too. Well, it turns out, I can. Here is how I plan to do it:

1. Say Bonjour: What really stood out for me on this visit was the way in which my colleagues at work and even shop keepers in downtown Paris made sure to say “Bonjour” and “Bonne Journee” to everyone as they came in and left. It was quite endearing that at work each time someone stepped off of the stuffed elevator to start their day or part after lunch, the person who leaves would say to everyone “Bonne Journee” (have a nice day) in a sweet voice and in unison the entire crowd in the elevator would say the same back.

I admit that at home in the United States, I am usually zoned out and don’t even really make eye contact with others in elevators anywhere. However, when I return to work next week I am going to make an effort to try this out—in English of course. Maybe next year it will be in French! How nice it is to be greeted and acknowledged with kind words. We should all have better manners in this respect.

2. Just say no to sneakers: Another obvious thing is that no Parisian wears clunky sneakers. This goes for men and women. They only do if they are going out for a run. Instead, the women wear lovely and well-constructed ballerina flats. Men wear nice leather shoes. This allows them to look polished and able to easily run around just as comfortably as athletic shoes let you do. I bought a few pairs of ballerinas while on my trip, and hope to spread this important fashion tip in the Americas to all the ladies I know. Why not look chic and comfortable if you can easily do so?

3. Surrender to the scarf: The last permanent souvenir I slipped into my suitcase was embracing the beauty and elegance of a scarf into my daily life. If you have ever been to Paris you will quickly notice that EVERY woman (and many men too in the cold weather) have a scarf draped around their necks at all times. It brings such a polish to an overall look that it amazes me why this simple idea has not hopped over the pond to the United States in a big way.

In fact, while driving to my company’s office in Scotland on the day of our final meeting, a Parisian male colleague joined us in our car sporting his pinstripe suit and cashmere scarf expertly wrapped around his neck. We American girls all took notice and commented on how nice he looked with just such a simple accessory.

As you take your next trip, soak in not just the obvious tourist attractions but also the small things about the culture you are visiting. Hopefully, you too will find your own permanent souvenirs to bring back and enhance your own life and the lives of those around you.

As always, I wish you all the happiest of travels!