"Next of Kin" -- my interview with author Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen

Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen recently authored and published the book, “Next of Kin” a very warm and touching memoir to her father who recently passed away from cancer.  Reading her book, I felt a “kinship” ‘cause I too lost a parent and, although I’m not my father’s only child, I am the eldest; hence, automatically bestowed with all the “unwanted” responsibilities. I recently had an opportunity to meet her at a book-signing, and I found her to be just as warm, genuine and amicable as she writes.


Priscilla, can you tell me a little about yourself and how you wound up living in Paris?

I am the Editor and Founder of the webzine Prissy Mag  in addition to being a writer/author. I’m originally from Alabama, but moved here to Paris in 1999 from NYC. How did I get here? It was a love story. I was living in Manhattan, he in Paris. We decided to live here rather than him move there. I’ve been here ever since.

"Staggered" dining in Paris, Oh mon dieu!, c'est pas possible!

Will that be for a 7pm or 10 pm seating?

A new phenomena is happening that happens throughout America and other parts of the world today, no not an invasion of “polyester” again, but “staggered” dining or what people in the restaurant business call “turning the tables.”  This basically means that restaurants try to increase their profit margins by having as many people in and out of their doors during meal times. 

I can only speak to my observations of what is happening in Paris as opposed to France.  In Paris, typically if you make reservations for dinner, you have that table for the whole evening. In fact, we have gone to restaurants at 7:00 pm wherein the restaurant is literally empty, but we were told that they’re booked? Since it was summer and their patrons reservations start at 9 or 10 pm.  we told the maitre’d that we promised we’d be out before 9 pm for a quick bite, but we were told no.  This is not uncommon since the French like to linger over a meal, and stay at a restaurant dinner table for hours on end, even up to the restaurant staying open well after 1 a.m. until their patrons leave.

General Banking in France -- Opening and maintaining an account

I can only speak from my own personal experiences of having worked in the banking/financial institution in the US for over 30 years and our French experiences of opening and maintaining a bank account. Along the way, I learned a few tips and tricks that I want to share and hopefully make your life a little easier.