things i have learned during my first week in france

I have complied a list of things that I have learned in the past week:

~wear shoes without traction...when you step in dog poo (because you will), they are easier to wipe clean in the grass
~watch out at all times for moving vehicles
~german tourists are annoying...possibly more annoying than japanese tourists
~where a scarf and you will blend in
~walk A LOT - it's the only way to prepare yourself for the onslaught of glorious lipids that will be heading your way at the next meal
~if you speak in french first and smile, people will love the fact that you are american (c'est loin!)
~EVERYONE loves obama everywhere
~wine is more important than water. it says so in the bible
~materials handed out by the proselytizing johovahs witnesses can serve as good 'let's learn a new language' material- you can probably figure out what most of it says without knowing the language
~don't use your index finger to say '1', you will get 2 of things
~there is always time for a cup of coffee
~just because a guy is wearing tight jeans, nice jeans, and gelled hair does not mean he is gay (or a guido)
~you may think you can identify a fellow american by his NFL paraphernalia- look closely first at the team (49ers haven't been good for a looong time), then his pants (man capris), then his socks (dark, tall)- then listen to his speech
~carry band aids always
~if you sit alone, this serves as and open invitation for someone to sit with you, run after you when you leave a place, or perhaps even propose to you
~ the best sentence you can say in french " j'essaye de parler en français" (i try to speak in french)
~get your TGV tickets validated by punching them in a little yellow box in the station BEFORE getting on the train
~if while talking to a stranger and you tell them you are from a different nationality than your own, make sure you are up to date on that country's politics
~there are actually people who say 'zut alors!'
~signs outside of parks, etc saying 'no dogs' are really just suggestions
~repeat everything someone says- it helps with clarification as well as pronunciation
~people watching is even more fantastic than i thought (who knew people ate there pizza so many different ways!