Quickly I discovered this wasn't necessarily the best approach to acclimate quickly to my new home. The support I gained from having new found friends who understood the issues and concerns I faced entering this new culture was invaluable to a successful transition. French friends weren't able to provide that kind of support. And besides, with some luck, getting to know the others that share your dreams, you may meet the love of your life, your next business partner or just a friend to whom you can tell all

Paris is teeming with both "official" and "unofficial" meeting places for Anglophones. If you read the English language press, subscribe to online newsletters and just ask your friends, you'll find more to fill your agenda than you have days in the week.

Begin with the "official" meeting places: there are dozens of Anglophone non-profit organizations in Paris.

There is sure to be at least one or two or even a few that will have the kinds of activities and type of active membership with which you will feel comfortable. It's easy to find them - a comprehensive list can be found on a number of Web sites including the American Embassy site in pdf form at http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/acs/guide/org.pdf Consult the guide, make calls to the ones that appeal to you to get a sense if those are right for you or not… then try them out for size.
You have nothing to lose but a little time.

Becoming a member of any one of these organizations provides an immediate network, but if you're more the "unorganizational" type, then take advantage of the "unofficial" gatherings, usually run by Expats who enjoy being the ultimate networking. Some have been around for years; others are just testing their wings. 

Let me help fill your calendar with some of Paris' best and most tried and true "unofficial" meeting places… Sunday nights will by vying for your time between Jim Haynes' dinner in his atelier in the 14th and Patricia Laplante-Collins' Soirées at her pied-à-terre on the Ile Saint-Louis.

Jim could be Paris' most well-known American, thanks to the more than 100,000 guests he's had the pleasure of hosting for dinner – a "mélange" of 1/3 French, 1/3 Anglophones, 1/3 other. It started about 28 years ago when a house guest at Jim's was itching to show off her culinary talents, so he invited a few friends, she served up her dishes and the Sunday Night Soirées became a regular event. Now, these many years later, he proudly takes responsibility for dozens of love affairs and marriages resulting from the Sunday mixers. To reserve at Jim Haynes' Sunday Soirée, call 01.43.27.17.67 or email jim_haynes@wanadoo.fr the Saturday before. He'll give you the address and bring a suggested donation of €20 to cover dinner.

Patricia Laplante-Collins has been on the networking circuit for more than ten years, first as Paris' African American Literary Soirées, later opening to a broader market with simply "Paris Soirées." She serves a complete dinner (quite good, too) and offers a speaker on a new and interesting topic at every event.

She provides a speaker those evenings as well and urges attendees to bring plenty of business cards. Her venue can at times be a challenge when maneuvering a full plate, a cup of wine and business cards, but somehow it works and long-standing relationships have undoubtedly been made. A "donation" of 15 or 20 euros is requested. To reserve your place and get the address, phone Patricia at 01.43.26.12.88 or email her at parisnetwork@hotmail.com or parissoirees@noos.fr

Michael Muszlak has been running "Teatime=Talktime" on Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in his apartment near Métro Saint-Michel for just as many.