I just checked on a couple of internet converters, and I am correct: in fahrenheit, most buildings are cooled between 68 and 75 degrees, which is about 20C to 24C. I do not know anyone who considers 75F too hot, by the way. 18C would be about 64F, which is not normally considered weather for shorts, but some people might consider it warm enough. It certainly is not considered winter weather, but more like early spring or mid- autumn. I will note that when I came through De Gaulle airport, the terminal was stuffy, perhaps 29C (85F), while the outdoor weather was 18C (65C), in the morning. By the afternoon, the outdoor weather in Paris was 29C. Leaving the States when the temperature was about 35C (95F), it turned out that shorts were appropriate most of the day, although uncomfortable for a brief time when outside in the morning.
My experience in Paris in general was that there was inadequate ventilation, making it too warm in most buildings in mid- afternoon. (In August, the temperature in mid- afternoon is about 29C- 32C, or 85F to 90F.) Since fans would have taken care of most of the problem, I found it irritating, especially in museums, where it could get quite humid as well, to the detriment of the collections. In the States, art museums are very "climate controlled". There was very little air conditioning ("climatisation") around the city, although the tour bus (for an orientation tour) was very cool, and the Pariscope theater, which is underground, had good air- conditioning.
By the way, it is very difficult to get cold drinks in Paris, as well. Ask for "un carafe d'eau" (a carafe of water), and it will usually be lukewarm, or, if you are lucky, have a little ice to make it slightly cool. Ask for iced tea or a Coke, and it is close to room temperature. And yet there is plenty of ice to chill a bottle of Pouilly Fuisse' <g>. There was no ice machine in my hotel, and the "minibar" was not set to cool very profoundly, either.
It was a three star hotel, by Parisian standards. (No doorman, no bellhops, no concierge, but a "salle de bain privee'" (a private bathroom) with a bathtub and "douche" (shower). No restaurant or bar, but "petit dejeuner" in the lobby, mainly cofffee, cocoa, croissants, and brioches. There was no curtain for the shower, so one had to hold the shower nozzle in one's hand, and be very careful. No chairs. Typical European beds, singles that are about 3/4 the size of American singles, so that my bed would crawl down the wall as I twisted and turned (I am a big guy). No air- conditioning, so one couldn't stand sitting there in the afternoon, and had to keep all windows open in the evening, with attendant street noises (there were a number of bars on the street beneath our bedroom).
These are among the things that Americans notice. In New York, a three star hotel would be what is considered 5 stars in Paris, and the place I stayed would be considered one star at best.
The remark about portions is interesting. Of course, a lot depends on what sort of restaurant one goes to. I got plenty to eat in France, but that was because dinner is several courses. In America, many dinners are three courses, and the bulk of the food is the entree. Still, sometimes the total of food is larger than the typical French meal, but only twice as much, at worst.
I agree, Americans are not singular about sex....... |
