A serious rat problem in Paris.
#41
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
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The biggest problem that Paris has is that as the most visited city in the world and people will jump on any excuse to trash it in the media, while often ignoring that the problem in the own place of residence is just as bad or worse.
How many times have we read "is it safe to go to Paris?" from people living in cities with ten or twenty times the crime rate.
Does Paris have rats? Yes, it does, just like everywhere else. Are they jumping into people's laps in the restaurants? Has anyone been bitten on the Eiffel Tower yet? Have any babies had their faces chewed off in their cribs? I've read about things like this in other places, but it never made a huge splash in the news.
How many times have we read "is it safe to go to Paris?" from people living in cities with ten or twenty times the crime rate.
Does Paris have rats? Yes, it does, just like everywhere else. Are they jumping into people's laps in the restaurants? Has anyone been bitten on the Eiffel Tower yet? Have any babies had their faces chewed off in their cribs? I've read about things like this in other places, but it never made a huge splash in the news.
I’m not ignoring anything about where I live. I don’t even know what the rat situation is in Seattle, in fact. I was merely pointing out that it is possible to effectively exterminate rats on a quite large scale. It hasn’t been done in my city (that I am aware of) or even my country, but it is possible. One can choose to toss out inaccurate statements like “every city has rats” if it makes them feel better, but it simply isn’t true. It is almost certainly less true that “every city” has rat swarms that even you acknowledge have been observed in Paris.
Isn’t it just possible that this isn’t just slagging off the king, and that Paris does have a rat problem?
#42

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,040
Likes: 6
Time to move on. What about the Nutella riots?
Nutella 'riots' spread across French supermarkets - BBC News
Nutella 'riots' spread across French supermarkets - BBC News
#43

Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 0
I can't believe anyone would riot over that nasty stuff. I hate Nutella; it's worse than peanut butter, which I also hate. It tastes like a mixture of cocoa powder, Crisco, and peanut butter. I especially hate when I ask for a chocolate croissant and it turns out to be Nutella. That happens fairly often in Italy.
Di you know, Kerouac, that Nutella is great bait for a mouse trap? But Cheerios are the best.
Di you know, Kerouac, that Nutella is great bait for a mouse trap? But Cheerios are the best.
#46
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,646
Likes: 11
A recent trip report described an encounter with Paris rats in a very convincing fashion. I have not had an experience like that or heard one described in another city but I suppose it may happen.
As far as the Nutella riots are concerned, maybe people are just desperate to get enough to bait their rat traps.
As far as the Nutella riots are concerned, maybe people are just desperate to get enough to bait their rat traps.
#47
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,238
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If they are hiding so well that they aren’t seen, I think we can all agree that Alberta does a better job than Paris.
And that is the point: Paris has a rat problem. By many accounts, it is a quite significant one. Authorities can either hide behind “every city has rats” (which probably isn’t true) or they can look to how Calgary and Edmonton attack the problem. I know which I’d choose.
And that is the point: Paris has a rat problem. By many accounts, it is a quite significant one. Authorities can either hide behind “every city has rats” (which probably isn’t true) or they can look to how Calgary and Edmonton attack the problem. I know which I’d choose.
l’m sure Seattle has rats. Western WA certainly has BAMF spiders. And scary urban raccoons. And those enormous mutant mice with hooves that ruin gardens- oh, wait, I mean deer.
#48

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,860
Likes: 0
I wonder how other most-visited-cities-in-the-world are handling their rat situations and if there are rat swarms.
The most visited cities around the world in 2017 - Business Insider
Happy Travels!
The most visited cities around the world in 2017 - Business Insider
Happy Travels!
#52

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,860
Likes: 0
#54
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
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I believe cocoa powder, Crisco, and peanut butter are the primary ingredients of Nutella. But first is the SUGAR, and lots of it.
I'm not a fan of commercially made peanut butter, but some of the homemade stuff is amazing, especially if you have a good resource for fresh nuts.
I never understood Nutella's popularity. My Ohio cousins love the stuff. Many of them grew up on Crisco, and they proudly show it on their hips.
Some people know how easy it is to make homemade Crema Gianduja alle Nocciole. Once you've had homemade, Nutella will make you gag.
Maybe one day I'll post my favorite artisan brands of Italian crema gianduja. I've been formulating a list for many years. The stuff is way too fabulous to share with the local mice.
#55
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Since when is rats being a problem new news? I remember seeing rats in Paris long ago. One time when sleeping in the Hotel du Park Bench near Montparnass station I awoke to see a swarm of huge rats - the problem only surfaces it seems due to the floods - and are rats dangerous? Well they used to spread Plague, etc but what negative impact do they have today?
Sure not nice to see but just like any mammal - harmless it seems.
Sure not nice to see but just like any mammal - harmless it seems.
#56
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
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Seems like a very Pollyanna viewpoint. Rat infestation is no joking matter, unless attracting unwanted disease is your thing. Wouldn't want them sneaking into my grocery store. Not only do you have to guard against rat droppings among your groceries, you have to be very careful not to pick fruits and vegetables they've nibbled on.
#57
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Well it has been that situation for years and years in every city without such rampant problems but if it is such a health hazzard a war on rodents should be launched - they could be eradicated with enough effort. Maybe Paris is much worse than elsewhere but I doubt it -floods have just made them more visible. Maybe another siege of Paris like in Prussian-French war would be good as Parisians ate rats I understand.



