It's January, and if you are going to Paris you can benefit from all the sales. In France, sales are official only in the month of January and July. Prices are cut and everyone is excited to buy big and small items. But some of you will say that you have been in France in other months and noticed price reductions. Those aren't "official" sales, and the word can't be used. So, there are "prix spécial", and réductions, but no sales. Here is a link to a great explanation of the whole idea.
Checking out the sales can be tricky - if you're at a big department store like the Galeries Lafayette, things are pretty much like they are here in the States. But in smaller boutiques and stores, you greet the shopkeeper, and then let her know what you're looking for. No rifling through the stacks of clothes, just ask for things. If what you're interested in doesn't fit, there is no problem. Just say "merci, au revoir" and leave.
A plus tard!
So, somehow the link to the explanation didn't work out. Here it is instead:
ReplyDeletehttp://french.about.com/b/2012/01/13/les-soldes-cest-parti.htm?nl=1