In the heart of the City of Light, a new set of unwritten rules has emerged, dictating the cultural and gastronomic elite’s every move. The Paris Select Book has unveiled the 10 snobberies that Parisians are expected to uphold in March, a testament to the city’s unwavering commitment to maintaining its status as a global center of sophistication. What this really means is that the Parisian upper crust is doubling down on their exclusive lifestyle, leaving the rest of us mere mortals to play catch-up.

The Parisian Snobbery Checklist

According to the Paris Select Book, the must-do’s for the culturally in-the-know Parisians this March include:

  • Attending a private art exhibition opening at a gallery in the Marais district
  • Securing a reservation at the latest Michelin-starred restaurant, preferably one with a tasting menu that lasts three hours
  • Posting a carefully curated Instagram story of your weekend spent at a secluded countryside chateau
  • Dropping the names of obscure French philosophers and writers in casual conversation
  • Flaunting your ability to navigate the Metro without a map, like a true Parisian native

The bigger picture here is that this list exemplifies the lengths the Parisian elite will go to maintain their air of exclusivity and superiority. BBC reports that this type of snobbish behavior is becoming increasingly common among the upper classes in major global cities, as they seek to differentiate themselves from the masses.

The Divide Deepens

What these snobberies really highlight is the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots in Paris. The New York Times has documented the city’s struggle with wealth inequality, as gentrification and skyrocketing housing costs push lower-income residents to the peripheries. The Parisian elite’s fixation on maintaining their cultural cache is a symptom of this widening gap.

As our earlier coverage explored, the global trend towards exclusivity and status-seeking behavior among the wealthy is only expected to intensify in the coming years. For the rest of us, the message is clear: if you want to keep up with the Parisian Joneses, you’d better start perfecting your French pronunciation and acquiring a taste for $300 tasting menus.

As recent coverage has shown, this divide is not unique to Paris, but rather a reflection of a broader social and economic schism playing out in cities around the world. The implications are far-reaching, as the wealthy continue to insulate themselves from the realities faced by the majority.