But why exactly? Why that smirk? Why that raised eyebrow like "don't talk to me until I've had my double espresso"? We don’t have the answers, but we have some ideas.
1. Because the sidewalk is too small for all these people
In Paris, everything is too: too many people, too much noise, too many scooters, too many strollers. Too many folks stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to look at an ugly building or respond to a voice message. So, naturally, we grit our teeth, squint our eyes, and wear a frown.
2. Because Parisians are late even before they get out of bed
The alarm goes off, and already they’re running late. They’re chasing after their train, their deadlines, their life. They don’t even have time for a "good morning, ma'am" in the elevator or to share free smiles at the bakery.
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3. Because smiling is suspicious
A Parisian smiling in the street is almost vulgar. Either they're a tourist, or they're crazy, or they've won the lottery. In Paris, we cultivate boredom like others grow cherry tomatoes on their balconies. We like to appear detached, jaded, a bit above the fray. Smile? Say hello? That's what you do in the countryside, after all. Here, we look at the ground and pretend to have it all figured out about life.
4. Because everything costs an arm and a leg
Coffee is €3.20, the glass of white wine is either too warm or too acidic, your apartment is 17 m² and you have a neighbor who plays the saxophone at 2 a.m. You have a full-time job, but you live like an Erasmus student. You don’t have time to be happy; you need to pay your next rent first. So you walk fast, chew your gum like it’s an antidepressant, and you wear a frown.
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5. Because it's (a little) in the brain
Yes, it seems that frowning in Paris is also a chemistry issue. Several studies in neuropsychology have shown that chronic stress — like the kind generated by life in a noisy, dense city packed with stimuli — has a direct impact on our amygdala, that little area of the brain that manages our emotions (and our paranoia). The result? We become more irritable, less tolerant of even the smallest annoyance, and more likely to perceive social interactions as potential threats. Basically: you're not grumpy, you're just in heightened neural vigilance. In a city where honking, shoving, and endless queues are part of your daily bread, it’s almost a defense mechanism.
6. Because in Paris, it’s always gray
The sky in Paris isn't really a sky; it's more like a lid. And after living in this dreary atmosphere, it starts to show on people's faces. How can you beam with joy when...
Is the sun feeling lazy itself?? We step outside already dull and curled up. And when, miraculously, a ray of sunshine breaks through, all of Paris transforms, and everyone is ready to take a day off to sit on a sunny patch of sidewalk. But at least the smiles are there. Hang in there, summer is just around the corner!Voir cette publication sur Instagram
7. Because he thinks it suits him well
Let's be honest: you love it. It's a French cinematic look. It's a lifestyle, even a religion. And honestly, you don't look too bad in that parish.
All of this, of course, relies on clichés. And like all clichés, they crumble a bit when you dig deeper. Because Parisians might look grumpy on the street, but they laugh loudly at the café terraces, they dance under the périphérique, and they change slowly in their own way. Sometimes even with a smile at the corner of their lips.