The Paris vintage scene is still alive and kicking, fortunately. Forgot which road it is but there's one street where every other store is part of the same vintage store, one store is just women's coats, the next trousers, etc. It's bliss! But I suppose the Paris scene was always more geared towards designer labels and some really collectible vintage, especially on the antique markets. There's less of a charity shop system there, though there is an online version of that which delivers internationally, will have to look up what it's called again. I did see some new 'hipper' by the kilo shops popping up there and in Antwerp in younger geared areas too.
Lazy, Easyparapharmacie.com is your friend there. It's almost as good as having a parapharmacie on your doorstep. Personally, prefer Powersante but they don't do free shipping over a certain amount to the UK (and only the UK for whatever reason) like EPP does.
The vinegar for everything is true indeed, but it's mostly because the water in most of France is really hard. It's the same here, though varies per region, but I also use apple cider vinegar to rinse my hair with as a final step, it's great for shiny hair and to stop your hair looking like you tongued an electrical socket.
I think part of it is no snacking, but the no snacking to me falls more into the general philosophy of having a certain respect and gratitude towards the food you eat (one that is mirrored in the clothes as well in a sense). So you buy the best you can afford, you sit down for it and not stuff it hastily down on the street with little thought, I also feel there's no constant checks and balances system with withholding then to have rewards in excess. Restraint seems the default position (rather than a temporary measure to lose weight, the focus is on not gaining) so a rare patisserie isn't seen as detrimental and enjoyed for what it is but not made out to be a reward for otherwise good behaviour either.