While I do like traveling to Paris alone, I don’t like dining alone.   So, how does one meet someone else to dine with and perhaps do a little bit of touring?   Oftentimes I will put up a post on www.tripadvisor.com, www.craigslist.org, or www.virtualtourist.com looking for someone to meet up with while in Paris.   I like the idea of meeting a group of people in Paris as opposed to and individual.  In any case, I always make the initial meeting in a public place and in a situation I can exit from easily if necessary.  For instance, I once met someone on www.craigslist.org for a cup of coffee.  We found that we were compatible and met once more for dinner on the trip.   I also had dinner with a group of 23 people I contacted through www.virtualtourist.com.   I was sure to show up at the meeting place a bit early and share a cocktail with some others before I made a final decision to sit with them for the meal.   At that dinner I met a few other people who I dined with later on the trip.

As a single traveler, I always travel where other groups of people are.  I never walk down an empty street, nor do I go into a public restroom that is not crowded.  I dress inconspicuously and try to blend in with the crowd.   I don’t want to be “targeted” as a solo traveler.   For my safety, when I am having a conversation in Paris with someone I don’t know, I will give them the impression that I am traveling with someone else by saying something like, “my traveling companion is shopping just next door”.

I always let someone at home know my general itinerary.

I find going to church services to be a good place to feel welcome and make friends.   There is an American ex-pat, Jim Haynes, who runs an informal dinner party every Sunday night where many English-speaking visitors will be happy to chat with you.  For more info, the website is www.jim-haynes.com.