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5 Best New Labor-Saving Technologies

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In our modern world of rapid technological progress, labor-saving technologies that can replace anywhere from one worker to multiple workers are being implemented across numerous industries daily.

We will explore some of the best new labor-saving technologies and innovations quickly becoming mainstream and bringing significant enhancements in productivity, efficiency, and reduced costs to businesses worldwide.

With these technologies, what used to take multiple individuals and a great deal of time to plan and execute can now be streamlined into an automated process or simplified workflow. From QR codes to robotics in farming and agriculture, there’s no doubt these labor-saving technologies will continue to expand and develop in the near future. 

1. QR Codes

QR codes have taken the restaurant industry by storm, gaining immediate momentum after the 2020 pandemic shut down thousands of restauranteurs and forced them to reinvent themselves.

With QR codes, restaurants can reduce the number of servers they need on staff to handle an increasing number of patrons, turn tables quicker, get more tips, increase the average spend per customer, and save time and money in the process.

Instead of waiting for their server to retrieve the check and process their payment method, QR codes give restaurant customers the ability to scan the code on their mobile device, split the check if necessary, add a tip, and pay in under a minute. 

2. Smart Factories

Since the industrial revolution, factories have followed a consistent and predictable shift schedule where workers would operate machinery, perform quality control, and ensure the factory is in working condition in order to meet product quotas.

In our modern world, manufacturers and factories are able to reduce human error, increase output, and save on labor and costs through the use of smart factories.

Smart factories are manufacturing centers where machinery is fully automated, and robotic technology with sensors is used to monitor production lines from start to finish. Rather than having hundreds of employees working and operating machinery, smart factories only require a few workers to oversee their automated production lines. 

3. Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality (AR) is a labor-saving technology that simplifies how companies execute their training programs and how they give demonstrations to customers or stakeholders.

In the past, training a new employee would take a business many months, tying up experienced employees in training and onboarding and requiring a training budget. This was even more difficult for jobs where complex systems and processes were taught, ones that required absolute precision on the part of the employee.

With AR, companies can now do all the work upfront and create a comprehensive training solution that an employee can follow using augmented reality. They follow a visual training program that shows them the systems, components, and processes they’re working with, cutting down significantly on training costs. 

4. Robotics in Farming & Agriculture

Labor-saving technology in the farming and agriculture industries has significantly reduced the number of workers required to harvest crops and process them for consumption.

With combine harvesters, GIS-based harvesting, soil and water sensors, weather tracking, and farming automation, farmers can do the same amount of work as an army of workers just a few short decades ago. 

5. 3D & 4D Printing

When a manufacturer or engineering company needs to create a new part, a precision machinist with the skills to turn an engineering drawing into that part is required.

Since 3D and 4D printing came about, those machinists can now be replaced by printers that construct parts layer by layer, saving on labor and costs in the process.

With 3D printing, solid material is layered until a part is produced. With 4D printing, objects are “printed” from advanced materials that perform different functions or change shape when interacting with light, heat, or hot water. 

5 Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Boil

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While a shrimp boil is a common spring or summer dish, you can also prepare it during the winter and fall months. A shrimp boil has plenty of seasonings. The meat you use depends on where you are from. Many people make it with andouille, but kielbasa is also a common sausage. Some people find that the kielbasa gives the shrimp boil a fuller flavor.

Choosing the Shrimp

While fresh shrimp is best, you can use frozen shrimp if fresh isn’t available. The shrimp should be brightly colored and should not smell like ammonia. The shells should not be slimy. If you are using whole shrimp, cut the heads off. Leave the peels on. The best size shrimp to use is 16/20 as they are easy to peel but not so big that they are tough. They also have the perfect flavor and texture.

Shrimp Boil Ingredients

Instead of providing the spice and butter for dipping, combine the spice with the butter for a tasty combination of flavors. Soften the butter, then mix it with the spices. Set the mixture aside until the shrimp boil is done cooking. Mix it with the clarified butter just before adding it to the shrimp boil.

Ingredients in a standard shrimp boil include:

  • Celery
  • Yellow onions
  • Red bell peppers
  • Shrimp
  • Sausage
  • Corn-on-the-cob, but into halves or thirds

Add the shrimp last once all the other ingredients are cooked. Continue cooking until the shrimp turn orange or pink (depending on the type you use).

Spices that Explode the Taste Buds

Depending on how you were taught to make a shrimp boil, you might use different spices. This combination of spices makes a shrimp boil that will cause your taste buds to explode:

  • Old Bay seasoning (add to the pot when cooking).
  • Salt (add to the pot when cooking).

Mix 2 tablespoons of blackened fish seasoning (Badia redfish seasoning has a good spicy kick), 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast and 3 tablespoons of hot sauce until well blended. Add 1 tablespoon softened salted butter and mix it thoroughly. Add the mixture to ¾ cup of clarified unsalted butter and mix it until the softened butter melts.

Set the mixture aside until the shrimp boil is done cooking.

How to Serve the Shrimp Boil

Some people serve the shrimp boil right from the pot, but if you get a wide serving bowl or tray that will hold the entire boil, including the liquid, it’s easier to mix the butter mixture in. Dump the shrimp boil into the bowl, then pour the butter mixture over the top. Gently mix the butter and ingredients together.

A shrimp boil for four takes about 2 ½ gallons of water, so the serving tray or bowl should be large enough to hold that plus the clarified butter.

Provide Sides

Make another batch or two of the butter (depending on the number of people you are serving) so that you can serve the butter and spice mix on the side. Add plates of lemon wedges for those who like to squeeze lemon over their shrimp boil. And, don’t forget the beer!

How to Increase Your Credit Score

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What three digits define your finances? Your credit score. And if you want to take the road to financial independence, you better get a handle on this number now. It’s your key to getting the most value for your money.

Red Carpet Treatment or Service Exit?

A credit score close to the 850 max gets you the red carpet treatment when it comes to credit, loans, rent, or any kind of payment. You get the lowest interest rate, the easiest payment schedule, and the fewest restrictions.

One from 579 to the 300 bottom leads you to the service exit. Lenders won’t even want to talk to you let alone extend you any kind of credit.

Getting your score as high as possible should be a top financial goal.

What’s Your Number?

Credit scores vary slightly by provider. You can find yours for free from Credit Karma. You’ll need to create a usercode and password, but you won’t need a credit card. This service shows the credit scores from two of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.

If you don’t want to log into an unknown website, you may also be able to get your credit score from your credit card company.

Checking Your Report

Your credit report is just as important as your score because creditors use this document to judge your financial activities and credit situation.

  • It contains personal information, such as all your names, social security number, phone number, birthdate, and current and former addresses.
  • It details all your credit accounts including mortgage, student loan, credit cards, and payment plans, what’s owed on each, your payment history, and any collection efforts.
  • It stores public records, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens, and civil judgments.

You can get your credit report from Credit Karma. However, you should check the ones offered by the two previously mentioned credit bureaus and the third, Experian. By law, you can receive one report from each for free once a year. If you check one company’s report every four months, you get a constant read of how your finances are doing.

Study the credit report for any mistakes, which can affect your credit score. Tell the credit bureau in writing what’s wrong. They must report back to you how they are investigating your dispute, which may include updating or removing the invalid info.

Raising the Score

The most effective way to raise your credit score is to pay your bills on time or before they’re due. For maximum convenience, set up automatic payments, which guarantees you’ll never be late.

Pay off your existing balances. The less debt you have, then the more likely that merchants will extend credit because you’ll have the money to pay. If you have trouble juggling payments for several creditors, consolidate them into one credit card, which may offer a period of free interest.

Limit how often you apply for credit at once. When you do, providers do a hard inquiry on you finances, which can ding your credit score. If you have to apply for additional credit, make sure you have a varied credit mix that includes installment loans, a mortgage account, and revolving debt, such as in a credit card.

5 Fundamentals of Cooking Steak

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You found some great-looking steaks on sale and snapped them up. Your mouth is watering just thinking about cooking them. However, when you cook them, they are tough and do not have a great taste. You wonder what you’ve done wrong. These five fundamentals of cooking steak will ensure you have a great steak every time.

1. The Cut Matters

If you buy a cheap cut of steak, it is not going to taste as good as a good cut. To make a great steak, you need to start with a good base – a good cut of steak. Ribeye and the fillet are the best cuts, but they are also the most expensive. The next best cuts are the T-bone and the New York strip, though the New York strip can be tough and tasteless if the butcher doesn’t cut it correctly.

2. The Breed Matters

If you have never had Angus beef, you don’t know what you are missing. If you don’t believe this, buy an Angus ribeye and a regular ribeye and cook them the same way. The Angus will have more flavor. While the beef is more flavorful, the biggest difference is that it has more marbling. People often request butchers to cut off all the fat, but that is the worst thing you can do to any cut of meat, especially the cheaper cuts.

The fat is what helps tenderize the steak. It also gives it more flavor as it melts into the meat during cooking. Angus beef typically has more marbling than most other breeds.

3. The Cooking Process

How you cook a steak has more to do with the taste than adding spices, though spices can certainly help. Some steaks are better on the grill, such as the New York strip. At the same time, you can get a great-tasting steak in a frying pan with the pricier cuts. Regardless of whether you are using a grill or a frying pan, always cook your steaks on medium-high heat. You must keep an eye on them – a good steak is not one you can walk away from.

When cooking in a frying pan, add half tablespoon butter and half tablespoon oil – the butter will burn if you use only butter. For an even tastier steak, use a tablespoon of rendered bacon fat. Make sure you get the pan and oil hot before you put your steak in it.

Cook the steak to the desired doneness, flipping it only once. If you like your steak rare, you can pick it up with tongs and hold the sides of the steak to the bottom of the pan to brown the sides.

4. Choose the Appropriate Level of Doneness

Any steak cooked more than medium will have less flavor and be tougher, except for the cheapest cuts – and those should only go in the crockpot for several hours. Fillets and ribeyes are best when they are blue rare to medium rare. To achieve blue rare, make sure the pan and your choice of oil or lard are very hot. Using tongs, place the steak in the pan. Cook it for about 2 to 2.5 minutes, then flip it. The pan (or grill) should be hot enough to sear the outside in 2 minutes. The color should be golden brown with darker brown ripples. The inside will be very red and somewhat warm.

5. Choose the Spices

You do not need anything more than a little salt and pepper for a good cut of steak, but if you prefer a different taste, you can use any of the various rubs on the market, or you can make your own. A rub with a great flavor, especially for pan frying, includes salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Badia Redfish Seasoning. 

The Insider’s Guide: 5 Ways to Get to Know the Real Malaysia

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Malaysia offers an eclectic mix of foods, festivals, scenery and much more. In addition to urban adventures in dynamic cities like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia boasts breathtaking beaches, ancient rainforests, and some of the world’s most astonishing wildlife.

There are endless things to see and do in this extraordinary country. Read on for a roundup of five ways to take it all in on your visit to Malaysia.

1. Soak in Some Sun

Tourists aren’t the only ones who flock to the soft sands and crystal clear waters of Malaysia’s stunning beaches. Lounging on the beach is a way of life for many locals.

If you’re looking for some recreation alongside your relaxation, Malaysia is also home to world-class snorkeling and other water sports. Sipadan Island, Langkawi Island, and Perhentian Island are just a few examples of the country’s phenomenal snorkeling spots.

2. Indulge in the Local Cuisine

Given its melting pot of influences, it’s not surprising that Malaysia lays claim to a vast array of truly delicious dishes.

Malaysians are passionate about their food, and we can’t think of a better way to discover everything the country has to offer than by sampling cuisine like nasi lemak, nasi kerabu, beef rendang, assam laksa, curry laksa, bak kut teh, roti canai, and many others.

Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or street food, be sure to bring your appetite.

3. Prepare to Party

Kuala Lumpur more than earns its reputation as a city that doesn’t sleep. While many people assume that KL’s majority Muslim population means it has inferior nightlife, this couldn’t be further from the truth. You’ll find everything from glittering nightclubs to swanky speakeasies in Changkat Bukit Bintang, AKA the “Times Square of Kuala Lumpur.”

A few of our favorite places to experience Malaysia’s capital city by night? Heli Lounge Bar, The Locker & Loft, and the Roof Stratosphere.

If partying isn’t your style, the city also comes alive at bustling night markets like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Taman Connaught Market, OUG Pasar Malam, and the Klang Lama Night Market.

4. Experience Alor Setar

While  Langkawi may get top billing with tourists, we recommend adding Alor Setar to your itinerary. Not only will you find a cosmopolitan city showcasing traditional shophouses, stunning Islamic architecture, and cultural landmarks like Zahir Mosque, the Royal Hall, the Yellow Palace, and Big Clock Tower, you’ll also enjoy it without the crowds of Langkawi.

A slight way up the coast from Alor Setar is the bustling fishing port of Kuala Kedah, home to northern Malaysia’s oldest fort ruins and a seafood lover’s paradise.

5. Unwind in KLCC Park

Hailed as the “Central Park of Kuala Lumpur,” this 50-acre green area—a destination for locals and tourists alike—features more than 1,900 indigenous trees.

Located in the center of the city in the shadow of the Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park offers epic skyline views, a manmade lake featuring an entrancing lake symphony, and a playground and children’s swimming area. Did we mention everything at KLCC Park is free?

5 Unbelievable Facts About Tai Chi

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People might describe Tai Chi as exercise, an art form, a mood elevator, or a martial discipline. Indeed, this old and fascinating discipline can improve physical and mental health, allow personal expression, teach fighting techniques, and much more. 

Five Unbelievable Facts About Tai Chi 

To discover more about this popular and compelling discipline, explore these five unbelievable facts about Tai Chi. 

Fact 1: Millions of People Practice Tai Chi WorldWide 

Almost 300 million people practice this martial art. Most Tai Chi practitioners come from the art’s country of origin, China. However, it also enjoys popularity worldwide, with about 2.5 million in the US. This artform’s accessibility may explain its popularity. For instance, many people practice a slow style that offers low-impact exercise for practitioners of all ages and fitness levels. 

Fact 2: Even Very Old People Can Practice Tai Chi 

Popular Tai Chi styles rely on slow and repetitive movements and a focus on form and breathing. These characteristics make Tai Chi an excellent way for older folks to maintain their mental and physical health. For instance, Iggy Pop practices Tai Chi in his seventies. He says partying made him feel good at 21, just like Tai Chi improves his mood and fitness today. 

Fact 3: Tai Chi Offers an Effective Martial Art 

For many, the mention of this discipline conjures images of older adults performing slow, deliberate movements to exercise and relax. Today, most people rely on it for exercise, but Tai Chi originated as an effective martial art. The martial discipline relies on using an opponent’s energy against them. Some styles rely on faster movements and may even include weapons. The original Chinese symbol translates into English as Supreme Ultimate Fist. 

Fact 4: Tai Chi Works on Bones, Joints, and Internal Organs 

Tai Chi movements don’t just help tone muscles and improve balance. They also gently massage internal organs, which Traditional Chinese Medicine considers powerful therapy. The exercises can also help release calcium deposits in bones and joints, strengthening bodies and relieving pain or stiffness.

Fact 5: A Professional Dancer First Demonstrated Tai Chi in the USA 

Sophia Delza, a dancer, held the first American demonstration of Tai Chi in 1954 at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. After her demo, she offered to teach classes for students who wanted to learn more and improve their health. Ms. Delza also wrote the first English-language book on Tai Chi, published in 1961. 

Is Tai Chi Hard to Learn?

Mastering Tai Chi can take years, decades, or even a lifetime. At the same time, students can learn basic moves and begin to enjoy benefits very quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Disaster Celebrity Weddings

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Although celebrities seem to have it all, their piles of cash, helping hands, and influence on the world cannot save them from wedding disasters. From venue snafus to actual hurricanes, there’s no limit to what can go wrong on their big day. In fact, all their effort in planning the perfect wedding often increases the risk of it backfiring spectacularly, leaving them miffed on where it all went wrong. Still have your doubts? Here’s a look at just five celebrity weddings that took a wrong turn.

1. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

Despite their star power, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were powerless to stop their wedding from turning into a complete disaster. Their original venue failed to come to fruition, leaving them without a place to say their vows and celebrate afterward.

Fortunately for them, Martha Stewart jumped into to save the day by coming up with another picture perfect venue on the fly. The reception brought another big surprise, however, when Lively’s dress ended up more than a little singed from a wayward sparkler near the dance floor.

2. Prince Charles and Princess Diana

The union between Prince Charles and Princess Diana was rife with disaster – and tragedy in the end. Although it’s only clear in hindsight, their wedding day started waving the red flags in earnest, although the warnings went unheard.

The problems started with the exorbitant 25-foot train and a tiara heavy enough to knock the Princess of Wales’ block off. The resulting headache resulted in her blundering her soon-to-be husband’s name on the altar. To seal the deal, Prince Charles didn’t kiss his bride at the end of the vows either, pointing to his heart and mind being elsewhere already.

3. James Rothchild and Nicky Hilton

What could go wrong while tying the knot at the famous Kensington Palace? Quite a lot – as found out by Nicky Hilton and James Rothchild. In fact, the whole thing could hang on by just a thread if an unexpected element comes into play.

Hilton learned this lesson the hard way when the veil of her ritzy Valentino gown got stuck fast. As she waltzed by the parked vehicle, her dress got a bit wily, trapping itself behind the tire. Just a few more steps and the whole thing would have fell apart. Thankfully, a quick witted attendant noticed and got her unwound just in time. 

4. Seth Meyers and Alexi Ashe

What are plans without a rehearsal or two to nail down the details? As with most couples, Seth Meyers and Alexi Ashe put their plans into action with a rehearsal dinner the day before their wedding day. The dinner allowed them to practice the events of the big day with their wedding party while noshing on seriously good food.

Sadly, the food was not all good – in fact, the oysters were downright bad. Food poisoning struck Ashe hard as a result, causing her to land in the hospital on the morning of her planned nuptials. Despite nurses telling her to stay put, she brushed herself off and hit the road running, so she wouldn’t have to put off her big day for even one extra minute.

5. Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar

Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar weathered not just one but two literal disasters on their wedding day. Originally planned as a beachfront wedding in Mexico, the event had to rush inside as Hurricane Hernan arrived uninvited.

While shielded inside the venue, they were able to say their vows and even enjoy their reception. But guests got more than a little shaken up afterward as an earthquake hit right as they’re walking out the doors.

You know what they say: Even the best laid plans can go awry. So, don’t fret too much if your own wedding plans go sideways. You can just rest assured that you’re definitely in good company. 

5 Tips for Kick-Ass Salads

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If you’ve ever ordered a salad from a restaurant before, then you’ve probably noticed that salads always seem to taste better when somebody else prepares them for you. Recreating a restaurant-style salad recipe at home just never seems to work out, does it? 

If you’re looking to elevate your at-home salad experience, we’ve got a few practical tips that can help.

1. Invest in a Salad Spinner

Nobody likes soggy lettuce. If you don’t already have a salad spinner, grab one from your local home goods store. These are ideal for removing excess moisture after you’ve rinsed your lettuce and before you start assembling your salad. This results in crisper, fresher, and more delicious greens.

2. Think Beyond Iceberg

Speaking of lettuce, it’s time to think outside the box when it comes to your salad ingredients. If you tend to grab traditional iceberg lettuce to use in your recipes, it may be time to switch things up a bit. While there’s nothing inherent wrong with iceberg lettuce, you’ll get a lot more dynamic flavor if you incorporate some other types as well. Consider options like romaine, arugula, spinach, and even kale to take your salads to the next level.

3. Use Local Ingredients

Whenever possible, using locally grown ingredients in your salads can seriously elevate the flavor. Rather than grabbing your salad ingredients from your local chain grocery store, consider hitting up a local farmer’s market and purchasing things like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers directly from nearby farmers. You’ll notice the difference in taste and you’ll be supporting local farms. It’s a win-win!

4. Make Your Own Dressing

If you’re looking for a way to seriously transform your next salad, try making your own dressing from scratch. Compared to a store-bought bottle of salad dressing, making your own dressing can pack more of a flavor punch while allowing you to customize your dressing to your own tastes.

If you’re feeling unsure about DIYing your salad dressing, it’s easier than you think. This is especially true if you stick to a basic vinaigrette, which typically includes no more than olive oil, vinegar, and some basic seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper. Once you try making your own salad dressing for the first time, you may never want to go back to store-bought again.

5. Give It a Toss Before Plating

One of the best things about enjoying a restaurant salad is when you don’t even have to do the work of incorporating the dressing into the salad yourself. Many restaurants will take the time to toss dressing into a salad before plating it, which ensures that each individual leaf is perfectly coated in dressing. Give this a try at home and taste the difference for yourself!

Dig Into a Crisp Salad Today

After reading these tips, aren’t you craving a fresh and delicious salad? Instead of ordering from your usual restaurant, why not use these tips to whip up your own yummy salad at home? With a little time and care, your homemade salads can be just as delicious (if not more delicious) than the ones you order at your favorite eatery! 

5 Fundamentals of Baking Bread

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Is there anything more satisfying than cutting into a delicious loaf of freshly-baked bread? Perhaps the only way this could be more satisfying is if you’ve prepared and baked the bread from scratch. Of course, the idea of making bread can be intimidating—but it’s something that many of our ancestors did without giving it a second thought.

If you’re looking to get into bread-baking (or just want to give it a try), there are a few important fundamentals to keep in mind.

1. Precision is Key

First, understand that when you’re working from a bread recipe, there really isn’t any room for error. While you may be used to taking some liberties with other types of recipes, bread recipes are very precise. This means you’ll need to be especially careful when measuring and adding your ingredients; being off by even a small amount could result in catastrophe while baking bread.

2. Don’t Over- (Or Under-) Knead

Kneading is an important step in nearly any bread recipe (unless you’re following a no-knead recipe), but it’s common for beginning bread bakers to over- or under-knead their dough. When you knead the dough too much, you’ll end up with bread that is heavy and dense. Not kneading it enough, on the other hand, can prevent it from rising.

As a general rule, you should knead bread dough until its consistency is similar to that of chewed bubble gum (not the best visual, but it’s accurate!). 

3. Invest in a Mixer With a Dough Hook

If you plan on making bread even a few times a year, then investing in a stand mixer will probably be worth it. Specifically, a stand mixer makes incorporating ingredients much easier and can save you time in your recipes. Even more specifically, a stand mixer with a dough hook will save you a great deal of time and energy compared to mixing dough by hand.

4. Keep Extra Ingredients On-Hand

When you’re getting started baking bread, you’re going to make mistakes. It happens. This is why it’s a good idea to keep plenty of extra ingredients (especially yeast and flour) in your pantry. This way, when you inevitably make a mistake and have to scrap your dough, you can start over immediately without having to run to the store to pick up more ingredients.

5. Don’t Kill the Yeast

Last but not least, remember to treat yeast delicately; your recipe relies on yeast being activated in order for the dough to rise. Too much heat can kill yeast, so be sure to always use lukewarm (not hot) water when adding water to a bread dough recipe. How warm is too warm? Generally, most yeast can withstand temperatures of about 120-130 degrees. Anything hotter than that and you’ll risk killing it off.

The Final Word on Baking Bread

Keeping these bread-baking fundamentals in mind as you get started can make all the difference in your success. By following these tips, you don’t have to be a professional baker to serve up delicious home-baked bread. From rolls and baguettes to brioches and more, you’ll be impressing your loved ones with your new-found baking skills.

The Insider’s Guide: 5 Ways to Get to Know the Real France

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There is no other country like France. The French are very proud of their culture and appreciate tourists who want to be travelers and experience everything their country has to offer. They are offended when people visit their country and turn to touristy attractions over authentic French foods and experiences.

For those travelers that step outside of their comfort zone and just take it all in, a trip to France is a memorable experience. Here are five ways to truly know the real France.

Relax and Eat at a French Cafe

The French are very proud of their food. It is safe to say it is a national treasure to them, and it is incredible. Cafes are a staple across France, and it is common to see the French seated outside, enjoying a meal and drinking a glass of French wine. Join them and have a taste of Heaven.

Try Speaking a Little French

Stories abound that the French are rude and disdainful of others, and they are wrong and come from a place of general ignorance.

The French can be some of the nicest people in the world, and all it takes is a little effort to respect their language and culture.

The ability to say even a few words in French goes a long way because they respect that you are trying. Learn just a few, and you’ll see how the French can be genuinely wonderful people.

Visit the Cathedrals

France is home to some of the world’s most famous and beautiful cathedrals and no trip is complete without paying them a visit. Everyone knows Notre Dame in Paris, but every French city has an amazing work of architecture. Enjoy Notre Dame de Strasbourg or the breathtaking view of Paris from the gorgeous Sacre-Coeur Basilica, the crown jewel of the Montemartre quarter.

Watch Paris Traffic

That may sound silly, but few things are more insane than how Parisians drive through the city. You’ve never seen anything like it unless you’ve been to Rome. Traffic laws? Who needs traffic laws? I you’re feeling a little adventurous, hail a cab and go somewhere. New York taxi drivers have nothing on the French. It’s actually a lot of fun.

Hike in the Alps

Most people think of Switzerland when they think of the Alps. Well, France has 35,000 square kilometers of stunning Alpen scenery for you to wander through and many small villages that are authentic and not tourist traps. Go enjoy the beauty.

Window Shop on the Champs-Élysėes

You are in fashion and antique central when in France. Even if it’s just window shopping, check out the incredible designers on the Champs-Élysėes. Most people can’t afford them, but it’s a peak in France’s passion for Haute Couture. Also, just walking on the Champs-Élysėes at night is an experience all its own.

The list of authentic French experiences is so long that five don’t even begin to touch everything. Go authentic and skip McDonald’s, even if it was talked about in Pulp Fiction. The French will be happy that you are experiencing their culture, of which they are incredibly proud.