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Trying to reach Michael Osman is ridiculous. Any other recommendations?

Trying to reach Michael Osman is ridiculous. Any other recommendations?

Old Mar 1st, 2013, 10:18 AM
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Trying to reach Michael Osman is ridiculous. Any other recommendations?

I realize Michael Osman gets rave reviews from those who are lucky enough to hear back from him, but seriously, this is absurd. I have been trying to reach him via his aol address for 2 months - nothing. Then, under advice here, I sent him a FB message - Nothing.

I have read that he's not easy to get a hold of, but it's simple common courtesy to respond to an email, as opposed to just ignoring a potential customer. Perhaps he enjoys this "hard to reach" reputation and thinks it makes him more desirable. I have no idea. I do know that from my point of view, it's rather rude.

He obviously has time to post photos and comments on Twitter multiple times a day (https://twitter.com/parisfind), and Instagram (http://instagram.com/parisfind) yet refuses to answer emails. A simple, "I'm busy at the moment, but will get back to you within the week to discuss your private tour" would be both professional and considerate.

We'll have maps in hand, and will enjoy exploring Paris on our own, but would really like to employ a guide on one of the days we are there. Any other guides you can recommend?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 10:31 AM
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Try my longtime friend Véronique Gain: [email protected].

She's often insanely busy too, but will usually respond and if she can't do it will recommend Olivier or Christine or someone else. They've all been in the business 30 years or so and are amazing!
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 10:44 AM
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Ironically enough Jinky neither of those links is working. I wasn't going to say anything since I don't have a lot of experience with Paris tour guides other than Paris Walks, which are large group tours and only cost about 12€ and don't require a reservation. But if no one comes up with a name for you I did meet a Paris tour guide a while ago named Pamela Grant:

http://www.parisperspectives.com/main.html

We've met in person as we had discussed a collaboration and we spent a couple of days together and I was impressed with her knowledge. I also liked that she would just walk up to people and start conversations, like just to ask locals questions, or walking into a small anarchist newspaper headquarters I pointed out to her (where we spent time talking with the anarchists). Just random encounters that she managed with ease and always got the folks we encountered to engage with us and they were happy to do so.

There's another guide I've heard recommended but have never met in person but everyone who has used her raves about her like many rave about Michael Osman. Her name is Raphaelle but I think she just goes by the nickname Raphy:

http://www.en.yourfrance.fr/

Hope you find the guide you're looking for.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 10:50 AM
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>>Ironically enough Jinky neither of those links is working

Because for some reason the last parentheses at the end of each one is being added to the web address. Here you go:

https://twitter.com/parisfind

http://instagram.com/parisfind

That works!

>>But if no one comes up with a name for you I did meet a Paris tour guide a while ago named Pamela Grant
>>Her name is Raphaelle but I think she just goes by the nickname Raphy:

I will check into these as well.

>>Try my longtime friend Véronique Gain

Thank you StCirq


Thank you both
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 10:53 AM
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A space must always be added before closing the parenthesis, otherwise the closing parenthesis will become part of the web address.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 11:29 AM
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One would think FMT would have figured that out. Happens every day on Fodors - parens and/or other punctuation tacked on the end of urls. Just click on the link and delete the offending bit.

(but to solve the problem -- folks - we don't need no bleeding punctuation in front/after/around urls . . . )
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 11:33 AM
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29 million other visitors a year manage to survive without Michael Osman. I wonder how they do it.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 12:00 PM
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>

Do you really know that Michael is doing the postings?

If you don't need a private guide, Paris Walks does great 2 hour walking tours. Or you can book private tours with them but they charge more than Michael.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 12:26 PM
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Bookmarking
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 12:47 PM
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>>29 million other visitors a year manage to survive without Michael Osman.

REALLY?!!! (gasp!) I had no idea. So glad you cleared this up for us. Wow. Now I feel better, thanks!

>>I wonder how they do it.

I have no clue (obviously), but please alert us if and when you find out.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 12:51 PM
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>>Do you really know that Michael is doing the postings?

No, I don't *really* know. Perhaps he is so busy that he has an assistant with him on the metro and in the cafe's to upload the photo's he's just taken. Anything is possible.

>>If you don't need a private guide, Paris Walks does great 2 hour walking tours

Thank you, I'll check it out.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 12:56 PM
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I would hope Michael Osman doesn't actually have an entourage and a personal assistant, etc., who do his posts and tweets on Twitter, really, do you think that is what is happening, Adrienne? If so, I wouldn't hire him, that's absurd, that's what celebrities do.

Haven't used him, don't do personal guides and have never wanted one, but my impression from various things I've read about him is just that he has a lot of business and doesn't care about being polite to people he doesn't intend to do business with (ie, doesn't respond if he doesn't need the work). That's just his business model.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:01 PM
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>>he has a lot of business and doesn't care about being polite to people he doesn't intend to do business with (ie, doesn't respond if he doesn't need the work). That's just his business model.

Well, it's bull ****. Shame on him, if that's the case.

Different strokes and all that, I guess.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:14 PM
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Is he the one known for drunken outburts or is that another person?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:17 PM
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I think that's Malcolm Miller, Dukey. I've met Michael, though only briefly, and he didn't seem the type disposed to drunken outbursts.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:28 PM
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I don't know-somehow drunken outbursts might just make a tour of Paris MORE enjoyable...just mulling over the whole Hemingway-Fitzgerald-Richler-Lautrec vibe...does Osman make that list?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:36 PM
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I was at a Christmas party two years ago and he stood up the hostess. Why would he reply to an email?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:38 PM
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Jinky, I would second looking into Paris Walks. I took the Hemingway Walk in the Mouffetard (5th) last June which I thought was excellent. This particular offering is super popular because of the MIDNIGHT IN PARIS factor.

The tours run about 2-2 ½ hours. You don’t book ahead so you can go at your convenience and when the weather is good. Would also suggest a cruise on the Seine and the HOHO bus (which many here discourage) to give you an overview of the city. Where are you staying in the city?

Enjoy Paris…
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:44 PM
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Now you've piqued my curiosity. What is so great about this guy?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 01:46 PM
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>

janisj - You obviously have no idea what a freakin' moron FMT is when it comes to anything involving basic internet competency.
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