Life — September 8, 1927 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "How to Behave in Paris" - Historical Satire This page satirizes American tourists in 1920s Paris. The main cartoon shows three American men at an "American Bar," with one saying he doesn't believe "nothing is the real stuff, even when I know it." The accompanying article mocks American visitors' behavior: shouting to communicate, assuming French women are "coquettes," repeatedly asking "Who won the war?" (referencing American WWI involvement), and lighting cigarettes ostentatiously. The satire targets American arrogance and cultural ignorance abroad. The "Accessories" section humorously lists expensive travel gear required, implying wealth without sophistication. The overall message ridicules loud, boastish Americans who visit Paris while remaining oblivious to French culture and manners.