The very title of this series brings up images of cobblestone streets, chic outfits, and a whirlwind of romantic entanglements. However, beneath the glossy surface lies a question that has divided the viewers and Parisians alike. Is it a delightful escape into a romanticized vision of the city or a caricature so exaggerated it borders on parody?
For everyone who has watched or rather binge-watched this series, has fallen in love with it. Emily’s effortless rise in the marketing world and her ability to command attention have become hallmarks of the series. This exploration is about the most eyebrow-raising moments in Emily in Paris, known for their unrealistic nature.
Emily in Paris: Parisian or Parody? Emily’s 9 most unrealistic moments, ranked
9) Size of her flat

Everyone has envied the Chambre de bonne that Emily has in Paris. To live in such a beautiful apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower is nothing short of a dream. However, even though the flat looks beautiful and large, it leaves us with the question of how she is able to afford it. Let’s be honest, the job profile that she will not be able to pay for such a luxurious accommodation.
There have been many moments in Emily in Paris where the makers have forgotten that Emily is not the CEO of the company, that she will be able to live a lifestyle that is shown in the show. Her apartment has chic decor. It grabs the attention of the viewers instantly. To find an accommodation in Paris this easily is quite a surprise. With no local history, it could be quite a challenge.
Emily just seemed to waltz right into Paris and get a piece of real estate just like that. Even though we adore the show, this detail makes the viewers chuckle because of the absurdity.
8) Emily’s Inability to speak French

Being sent as a representative of such a large marketing firm to work with the Parisian market, yet without any ability to speak French, is nothing but hilarious. It is like sending a chef to Italy without the ability to make pasta. The absurdity really piles up in this show. The practicality of this situation is just not possible. It brings us to think about many questions.
How will she be able to grasp the nuances of the Parisian market? Language is a crucial part of marketing. Brainstorming ideas or negotiating deals without any knowledge of the language will end in frustration. However, for Emily, it does not create any issue. If we consider the marketing firm’s perspective, the fact that they sent an employee to a foreign market without equipping them with basic language skills seems like a massive oversight.
Emily’s language challenges serve as a source of humorous moments. Even though the show is extremely entertaining, in the real world, it will create numerous problems.
7) Emily signs the insurance

Not only does she not know the language, but she is also not in a high position at her job. Yet she is tasked to sign the insurance waiver for a two-million-euro watch? In season 1 episode 7, we see Emily casually singing off a long insurance waiver just like that. It truly depicts that this is a work of fiction. The watch's price tag usually comes with layers of security and legal paperwork.
Secondly, the insurance company usually does the paperwork beforehand and not on the spot at a party. The insurance company would also require proper identification and proof of authority. It is truly hard to picture her being the sole responsible party for such a valuable asset.
On top of that, the whole insurance waiver is in French, which she does not know how to read or speak. It is a huge risk to blindly agree to something without knowing the implications it might have. It shows that either Emily is too naive, or we should just watch it without thinking about any logic.
6) Expensive outfits

On one hand, she is just a marketing executive; on the other, she hardly repeats her outfits and always wears designer ones. How does she even afford all these? Even though we know that the show operates on a level of fantasy, this was just extreme.
The salary of a marketing executive wouldn't typically cover such an extravagant lifestyle. The disconnect between Emily’s job title and her wardrobe is significant. Her bold and brightly coloured outfits are undeniably stylish and expensive. The clothes have become a talking point in the show.
The show heavily relies on the visual aspect. It acts as a form of visual candy for the viewers. This is just another facet of the show’s unrealistic aspects. The constant rotation of designer pieces with an entry to mid-level job is hard to believe.
5) Eating out every day!

It is truly a stretch to see Emily with just the position of a marketing executive, eating out almost every single day. To think about the cost it might entail is appalling. Our American in France seems to have an endless budget for chic Parisian restaurants and cafes. If only everyone with her job profile got to have the same lifestyle as her in real life, it would have been such a dream, right?
Even though her salary might not be disclosed, it is not hard to assume. She is new to the company and also has a huge apartment. She hardly travels by any public transport and always uses cabs or private cars. If we consider her outfits, her apartment, and her lifestyle, then it is simply not feasible to afford all that she has on the salary that she gets as a marketing executive.
In reality, someone with Emily’s job profile would likely cook home meals much more often. Emily in Paris leans into the fantasy world of glamor. Even though we know it is just a plot device, we can’t ignore the absurdity.
4) Every guy falls in love with her

The sheer number of men who fall in love with Emily right after she meets them is, to some extent, unrealistic. It cannot be denied that Emily is truly charming and has a vibrant personality, which often attracts people, but to see that every other guy she meets falls hopelessly in love with her is a stretch. It is like she walks into a room, and Cupid just starts to shoot arrows in every direction.
From her neighbour, Gabriel, to the posh perfumer, Antoine, she has everyone enamored. Even Mathieu Cadault, the sophisticated and aloof designer, falls in love with her. In the real world, the attraction is complex. It involves personality, timing, and individual preferences.
This recurring trope of everyone falling in love with her ensures the drama continues. It allows the show to explore different facets of the dating culture through her eyes.
3) Extreme senior-level responsibilities are given to her

Even though Emily’s job profile is not at a senior level, throughout the series, she is constantly given senior-level tasks even though she is not accustomed to the language. Instead of Emily, if the tasks were carried out by Sylvie, it would have been more appropriate.
We see her making decisions on the go and taking on tasks without even consulting the higher authority. In the real world, this would not be the case. It is not just about brainstorming witty Instagram captions. Building relationships with influential people in the field should be done by seasoned professionals.
2) Every French person she meets can speak English

It is definitely a running joke among the viewers about how everyone Emily meets is surprisingly fluent in English, which is very convenient for her. Even though many people in Paris have some level of proficiency in English, it is far from being universal.
Day-to-day interactions in Paris often require at least some basic French. Though it might be the case for people working in the tourism department to be fluent in English, it is not the case for everyone. The show uses this ease of communication as a plot device. It helps Emily jump into situations and conversations with utmost ease.
1) Her designer bags

On the one hand, Emily claims that she can only afford a bag charm; on the other hand, she uses expensive designer bags. She is constantly seen with new designer nags throughout the series. These designer bags easily cost thousands of dollars.
To be in her job position and able to afford such luxury, along with luxurious outfits, a large and spacious flat, private transport, and eating out, seems utterly unrealistic. Even though it is understandable that it is just for the sake of fashion and visual appeal, the unrealistic approach sometimes gets to the viewers.
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