Originally Posted by
Landing Gear
When you arrive at CDG Terminal 2A...
Awesome post by Landing Gear. I did this last week and it went smoothly; despite a dozen or so trips to Paris, this bit of advice:
No matter how phone savvy you are, I would ask the guy
nicely, if he wouldn't mind activating the card for you. There may be the usual way of doing things but then there is the French way.
... is absolutely essential. I've usually rehearsed what I'm going to (try to) say in French before I reach the person I'm going to say it to, but today I was reminded of this bit of Must Have Info: pleasantries first, then business! I went to buy a
carnet in the Metro, and the first response I got was basically "dit quoi?" ... then she interrupted me and emphasized
Bonjour ... and invited me to ask again, AFTER saying hello first!
Thanks again for a terrific post, very well researched and helpful.