By Eleni Tsiridou,
I recently came across an article about how real Parisians view Season 2 of Netflix’s undeniably popular Emily in Paris, and thought, why not? Despite its popularity, the show has sparked divided opinions on various aspects, including fashion choices and cultural portrayals. But before we dive into details, here’s a brief plot summary: The series follows Emily (played by Lily Collins), a young woman who moves from Chicago to Paris to work as a marketing executive while trying to balance her new life. Local Parisians and expats from the US have expressed mixed feelings about the way the series represents Parisian life. Based on the insights from the article, let’s explore what they found accurate, unrealistic, and what they would have done differently.
Mixing Work & Pleasure
One aspect that the show accurately portrays is the blurred lines between romantic and professional life. According to Pierre, a 36-year-old lawyer, having a romantic relationship with a client or a colleague isn’t considered taboo. In the United States, what would have been frowned upon is seen as normal in French culture. Funnily enough, Pierre reveals that it might even be illegal to refuse a date from someone at work. Nina, a 30-year-old news presenter, echoes this view. She believes that, regardless of the country, men are essentially the same; some are faithful, some cheat. So why not take a chance with a colleague?
Camille as a Passive Aggressive Parisian
Parisian women are known for their direct and sometimes blunt communication style. This is exactly the point that 31-year-old journalist Jenny makes in her interview, when asked about Camille’s reaction to Emily and Gabriel’s affair. She describes Camille’s behavior as overly passive-aggressive, which contrasts with the Parisian attitude. “Fake” or indirect speech is not like them, she says. They prefer to confront issues rather than pretend that everything is fine. This is an unrealistic tactic for someone who truly is from Paris.
Most Believable Aspect of the Show
Fans of the show would normally wonder whether the portrayal of Parisians is accurate. How close are these characters to reality? Nina provides some insight, particularly regarding Luc, Emily’s French colleague at Savoir agency. Although he works in a marketing agency, his philosophical outlook on life makes him the most realistic character in the series. According to Nina, the French are deeply inspired by Baudelaire, Pascal, and Flaubert, which is reflected in Luc’s character. The French are often depicted as hopeless romantics or lost souls, which is why Nina feels he would be better suited working at a university or a bookshop—environments that align more with his vibe and mood.
“Grand Amour” Finale
We all enjoyed Emily getting paid with the same coin in the finale of Season 2 (the lying, the betrayal); however, our fellow Parisians believe otherwise. Once again, Nina expresses her displeasure regarding Emily’s tendency to hop from one man to another, viewing it as irrelevant and unrealistic. She believes this undermines the ideal of love as it is portrayed in French literature and culture. Nina feels that this betrayed the concept of “l’amour fou” (crazy love), and Claire, a 34-year-old event planner, hopes to see Emily and Gabriel’s grand amour in Season 3.
Americanized Work Culture
The show gives off the impression that Parisians care more about their leisure than their work. However, Claire and Jenny (actual Parisians) disagree and argue that the series is inaccurate and far from reality. Claire emphasizes that in marketing agencies like Savoir, employees often work long hours and even on weekends. Jenny supports this view by adding that work culture in Paris isn’t “lazy” as many people are still occupied with work, long after the official hours, frequently answering emails. Lastly, Nina adds that she has never witnessed any “eye-rolling” towards Americans; in fact, Parisians admire the American work ethic of “anything is possible”.
Clichés About Paris
The show is filled with clichés, which causes it to blur the line between fantasy and reality. This exaggerated version of the perfect, luxurious Paris doesn’t align with reality. Interestingly, this fantastic façade seems to have little effect on Parisians whatsoever. Maeva, a 32-year-old chief of staff at a public agency, pointed out that locals understand that the show is purely for entertainment. They acknowledge that clichés about their hometown have always existed and will never get old. Nina advises those who want to learn about Paris, its history, and culture to look elsewhere, because “Emily in Paris” will be of no use to them. Both Maeva and Nina see the show as a piece of light entertainment which should not be taken too seriously.
Reference
- I Asked Real Parisians Their Thoughts on Emily in Paris & Who Was the Most Realistic Character. stylecaster. Available here
