Sorry, but Jerry sounds genuine to me. Call it sensitivity, empathy, or whatever you want, otherwise, I wouldn't have reacted so spontaneously, and disclosed my first experience in Paris. <BR> <BR>I also know how rude Parisians can be at times, as how frightening navigating the metro can be to someone that hasn't done it before. It seems to me that many of you assume Jerry as having a previous experience with the metro, whereas it looks to me that he didn't. I'd say that Jerry was born and raised in a small town, where just cars and busses navigate the streets. <BR> <BR>When I landed on CDG for that first time, and went through the customs, I addressed the lady in charge a question in English, since it seemed to me that the procedure was taking too long. She answered in French that she didn't speak English, but French. She knew obviously how to speak English and she understood my question, the problem was that she didn't like me, for whatever reason, and decided to make things more difficult to me. I knew a little French, so I continued the conversation in French, but if I were in a different mood, and incapable of speaking French, it could have ruined my stay there. <BR> <BR>The Parisians' attitude towards tourists, mostly Americans, has changed since then. Four or five years ago, when those bombs exploded in many metro stations, Paris became nearly empty of tourists. The economical impact on the city revenue was enormous, and they realized, since then, how important the touristic industry is to their financial stability. Parisians are now more friendly, and eager to speak English than they were before. Most of their arrogance was dissolved by the knowledge that tourists are not a plague, but an extra income source on which they depend. <BR> <BR>So, by no means, Jerry's experience sound atypical. It might happen, so, I'd advise you to be prepared and face the challenge. I assure you, your rewards are granted! <BR> <BR>Surlok

Good comments, Surlok (though I beg to differ with you that those bombs -- specifically the one that hit the St.Michel station -- caused Paris to become "nearly empty" of tourists). <BR> <BR>Anyway, isn't there a "middle ground" here, where many of could agree that are there, on occasion, rude Parisians -- as there can be rude people in any large city -- but that Parisians are, overall, not "extremely rude" as Jerry put it. I think a comment like that does a real disservice to both the Parisians and to people who are contemplating visiting Paris for the first time.

As my French colleague Christophe said prior to my November Paris trip, <BR> <BR>"Don't worry, the French hate the Parisians even more than you will." <BR> <BR>In case you are curious, he is originally from Provence but he went to University in Paris.

<BR> <BR>I hear what you're saying and I do understand where you're coming from. My husband and I have traveled to many countries such as Italy, Germany, England, Norway, Sweeden, Denmark...just to name a few. I have to agree that the French are by far the most difficult as far as friendliness and helpfulness toward Americans. Again, this is my personal experience. That doesn't mean you don't run across some nice people but many that we came across, just like you, certainly didn't go out of their way to help. Hey, I'm from Boston and I'm sure that many people out there would likely say the same about us! <BR> <BR>We also had great experiences with both Italy and Germany in particular. It was as if every person we came across loved Americans and couldn't do enough to help us. Many would ask us where we were from and then many of them tried to strike up a conversation if they had been to New England before. It was a wonderful! <BR> <BR>On the flip side though, we went to Venice for a quickie trip last May and I swear, everyone there was American! You'd walk by swarms of people all speaking English. I didn't feel like I was in Italy, I felt like I was in the North End of Boston! I have to say it took away from the charm. I didn't go to Italy to be around a bunch of Americans! <BR> <BR>Anyway, I was also somewhat disheartened on our first trip to France and no, we didn't leave because of it. Overall we had a good time and the French countryside is absolutely beautiful. We spent two weeks touring Paris, Normandy and the Loire Valley but when we got back we had a similiar feeling to what you originally wrote. A VERY WELL traveled friend of mine said, "ahhh, don't take it personally. The French hate everyone." I had to laugh because the front desk crew at our hotel, St. James Palace, said pretty much the same thing. Most of them came from other countries and they actually said that the French aren't particularly warm toward tourists. No particular reason given but it was nice to know that it wasn't us personally! :^) I suspect that MANY people in Paris speak English but they hold a lot of resentment toward Americans for expecting them to speak English. When seeking help we would ALWAYS ask a person if they spoke English (in French of course) and some would help but some would not. After a while you just learn to improvise. <BR> <BR> <BR>The bottom line is don't let this one bad experience keep you from going back. Paris is amazing!!! Hey, now that you've had to learn to navigate the Metro, you'll be better at it next time. <BR> <BR>Give it some time. Hopefully the bad memories will fade and you're remember some nice things about your trip. When I first came back I wasn't anxious to return but that has changed. We're headed back to France in less than two months and frankly I can't wait! <BR>

I think is extreme to say that all French or all people in Paris are rude, and that they are especially rude to Americans. Personally I think there are rude people everywhere in the world. <BR> <BR>I really do not care if somebody is rude to me, that is not going to ruin my vacation. If somebody is rude, or if I ask them a question and they do not answer, or they refuse to answer to me in English even though I know they speak English and I politely asked them in broken French to help me, I just move to another person, I am not going to waste my time and energy getting angry because somebody was rude to me. <BR>And if everybody is rude to us, we will try to figure things out on our own. Do not let a couple of rude people ruin your trip, enjoy Paris and France in general, it is wonderful country!! <BR> <BR>Somebody has to physically or sexually assault me or my companions, vandalize our belongings or try to steal from us, for it to affect my trip. Otherwise just plain rudeness would not change the whole perspective I have of a country and its people. <BR> <BR>People can be rude to you for a number of reasons, not necessarily because they do not like you as an individual, or because you come from America, I do not take things like personally. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your travels! <BR>And if you are not a troll, sorry for thinking you were one. <BR> <BR>

yes the french will try to take advantage from you...Be careful...Just warning you...

I wouldn't mind a few French women trying to take advantage of me. :~)

Capo, <BR> <BR>Is not that I have heard that Paris was empty of tourists_ I saw it! It was October, 1995, and I'm telling you that it was. Hotels were nearly empty, as were the streets. It was really strange, I assure you. The fourth ot fifth bomb had just exploded ( sorry, I can't recall where it was..) and all the litters were sealed off. Even Parisians were scared then.. <BR> <BR>To make my previous statements clearer, I say once more that no one should give up Paris because sometimes, some Parisians might be rude_ I'm saying to these future visitors: be prepared, since this may happen, and likely will, once in a while, and it has nothing to do with who we, tourists, are, but with their general mood, so don't take it personally. I have French friends who also agree that Parisians can be, at times, unbearably arrogant. In my view, though, they simply fit.. Were they different, Paris wouldn't be the same, right? <BR> <BR>Surlok

Even though Paris in not on my list of favorate cities, I can't imagine not enjoying it if nothing else for the art. It sounds like your attitude and/or lack of preparation was responsable for your lack of enjoyment. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

I love Paris and I only have knowledge of the most basic phrases. I was able to purchase basic things like food and metro tickets, etc. using very little french. I find people in the United States as rude or ruder than other countries I have travelled to. I don't expect the citizens of whatever country I am in to go overboard with kindness or even be friendly to me. I expect them to treat me as I treat them, and that is generally how it ends up.

My first time in Paris, Idid not know any French and hopped on one that I thought was going to Avignon. As there was a wait before departure, I started to read a Boston newspaper. This prompted a gentleman to ask me if I were American and in the conversation,he asked where I was going. When I responded with Avignon, he said merde, you're on the wrong train. He told me to grab my bag and raced me to thr right train.Kissed me on the forward and wished me bon voyage. I have had other acts of kindness through the years. Here in Boston, I have seen natives being rude to tourists but I want to point out that alot of people who work in shops, ticket takers and such, are usually from another state or town and they are the ones usually with the uppity attitude. I have seen this in Paris and in London.

We recently returned from Paris and although the average Parisian is probably a bit ruder than your average Buffalonian, we met many friendly, helpful people that contributed to a wonderful visit. Overall a big change from nasty Parisians 25 years ago (maybe it was my torn jeans and obvious inability to spend more than a few francs.) <BR> Getting around is easy by Metro or foot if you can read a map. Write down the names of places you want to go by cab if you can't pronounce them. Even 10 poorly pronounced but polite phrases seemed to make a big difference in attitudes. <BR> <BR>Paris is a world city, with more in common with New York than a small village in the French countryside, with all the good and bad that goes with that. Overall not my favorite place - reputation resting too much on the laurels of previous generations - but it is what it is. Now Istanbul is a great place! <BR> <BR>

Jerry...Here's some advice... <BR>Stay home. You don't need to travel alone again. I'm sure you acted like an ugly American. Next time go to Carlsbad Caverns.

Jerry <BR> <BR>I almost lost a train in Berlim (that would ruin all my trip) because no one spoke English at the train station, and I did research, I talk to people, and I was assured that ALL germans spoke English. But when you're travelling you have to count with some bizarre situations, and you just have to try to fix it, and then get along with it. You can blame people for not speaking your language. Remember, you expect them to talk English when in the US, don't you? They expect that al least you try to speak please in their language. That's not too much! <BR>BTW, I speak few words in German, but I was able to catch the train. And I spoke English all the seven days I spent in Paris. <BR>Debora

I have been to France several times. On my first visit to Paris a few years ago, I dusted off my French books and practiced. I was so glad that I did! Even though I was hesitant to speak very much, I was able to make myself understood and therefore had a much more enjoyable trip (I was not on a tour - I was traveling with my son, who did not know a word of French). And, I did read books that advised on greeting people on entering shops, etc. <BR>We traveled off the beaten path in France, and went for about three days without encountering anyone who spoke English (or admitted to it!). <BR> <BR>One of the things that I noticed was that I would have missed so many interesting things in Paris, if I hadn't been able to read French. So many historical markers, or signs on buildings, etc. were in French only. Any why should they have signs in English? Or any other language? Most of the time, we don't in the USA. How arrogant of us to think that they should speak English. <BR> <BR>When I came back to the United States (I live in a tourist mecca - Southern California) it was interesting for me to notice how hard it would be to travel in the United States if you don't speak and read English. Many people expect people in European countries to speak English, but I don't believe that foreign travelers to the USA expect to be able to communicate in their native tongues - much less have any signage in French, Italian, etc. Granted, here in Southern CA we have signage in Spanish, but certainly not to assist the tourists. <BR> <BR>I think that proper preparation to visit any country to is read about the customs and "manners" of the country that you are going to be visiting, as well as learn key words and phrases so that you can behave and communicate in a way that can be understood. Even if you can't say much, you'll have made the effort - and that counts for something with our European hosts. <BR> <BR>BTW, one of my funniest travel memories was being in NYC on business. Was staying at a Hilton, I think, and one morning was in the coffee shop for breakfast. I was the lone female American. The entire coffee shop was full of Japanese men - I don't know if they were there for business or pleasure, but they sure couldn't speak any English! Of course, they were given menus (in English). Fortunately, the menus had pictures of various breakfast foods and I watched as the wait staff (none of whom could speak Japanese) struggled to take orders. Of course, for the Japanese who ordered eggs, there was no way to actually find out how they would like to have them cooked! And..I thought that eggs, bacon and hash browns was probably a most unusual breakfast for the Japanese!

Good for you, Lynn, for recognizing the antithesis of Jerry's experience. I sometimes think if we all just put ourselves in the shoes of travelers to America, we'd realize how pathetic we can be as tourists. I live close to DC, and we get tourists from all over the world. We don't, generally, speak foreign languages, but we "put out the welcome mat" and hope people will have a good time. Parisians go far beyond that, speaking many different languages to tourists who happen to light on the City of Light. Jerry just wasn't ready for a foreign country, and it's not his fault. When anyone with the money for airfare can get to Paris, you have to figure there are every day folks who land in the City of Light completely unprepared for the experience. A few hours at the keyboard or a few hours reading print materials could have changed his experience - but what ya gonna do?

We've been to Paris many times in the last few years, and only once encountered a rude Parisian. We both speak some French, and have studied the city maps enough to find our way around. I'm surprised that you had such a tough time. Paris is one of our favorite cities of all time.

Jerry, <BR> <BR>It's too bad you had such a tough time in what many people believe is the most beautiful city in the world. I don't want to join the belittlers, but I do wonder what you expected to get out of the trip. Are you an art lover? Culinary enthusiast? I can see where someone who isn't used to big city life would be intimidated and find the metro hard to navigate. But it's certainly worth the effort. I think for many travelers, just being in a foreign place and soaking up the atmosphere is a delight. One of my favorite experiences was travelling to some remote islands in Greece where no one spoke English and I couldn't even read the signs. I loved it! I hope you give foreign travel another shot, but think first about why you're going and what you want to see. Being in a foreign country where you don't speak the language can be a shock to the system...and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Good luck.

There are people who would write posts such as Jerry and be for real. My husband and I travelled with another couple three years ago to Florence and Lake Como and it was the husbands first trip out of the US. He had a very hard time because it was so different than home and was annoyed the first time he bought something and they wouldn't accept American money. Honestly had his name been Jerry I would have thought he wrote the post. <BR> <BR>My husband and I went to Paris for our first time last year and found most people to be very nice and helpful. I found if I always said bonjour in shops and didn't touch the merchandise but asked for assistance, they were far more accomodating than in most of our shops here. <BR> <BR>Also, I did find the metro confusing and a little scary (we almost messed up)but that is all part of travelling (and things to laugh about later). <BR> <BR>We are going back to Paris in Sept. for 7 days.

Hey guys, no wonder jerry hasn't checked back in. For those of you that love Paris, that's great. He certainly isn't trying to invalidate your experience. That's not the issue here. <BR>Jerry's experience is typical, though. See what some honest travelers who aren't in denial have written above. If you feel smug about your ability to negotiate Paris, more power to you. But that doesn't negate the fact that american travelers will find friendlier vibes in many other places in Europe. C'est la vie. Comme çi comme ça. A tout a l'heure.

I thought it would be wise of me to check back in after reading many of the posts, except for the totally stupid ones. <BR> <BR>It was not my intent to say all Parisians were rude. My intent was to let all of the American tourists out there who wish to travel to Paris to just beware. Do the studying that many of you talked about. Also, do more studying of the Metro maps than I did, and I assure you I looked at them more than once. <BR> <BR>But if you cannot speak French (other than bonjour, etc.) it doesn't matter what you do the person on the other side of the glass selling you the ticket won't know what you're wanting to do. Greeting in French would have done us no good at all. They did not speak nor understand English. That made it impossible for us to communicate. Just because your nice doesn't mean you're going to get the desired result, although that helps. <BR> <BR>Thank you to the few Parisians who were nice to us and got us on the right train or bus. <BR> <BR>I guess it was a bit of culture shock coming from a small town. One of these days we might go back. Even though I will do more in the way of preparation, I still think there should be instructions in English and people who understand and speak English in RER stations and information booths. After all, if a small town in Germany could do it, certainly tourist-heavy Paris could afford to do it, too.

Gee, Jerry, I'd say it's your own fault you didn't enjoy Paris. Too bad for you. People in information booths and ticket offices DO speak English, but they are much more comfortable conversing with you in English if you greet them with a few pleasantries in French (with the benefit of a good phrase book with phonetic pronunciations) than if you expect them to speak flawless English because you haven't bothered to learn a single word of French. "Public Transportation Maps" are readily available at www.ratp.fr. Printed maps, for free, are available at nearly every metro station. The buses on the tourist routes have digital displays. What's your problem? Too bad you weren't willing to expend any effort in having a more fulfilling experience in Paris.

I am positively amazed you even managed to "find Paris"!

Are you people always so nasty when someone doesn't agree with you?

To Cat: Nope. No excuse for lack of research, planning and a bit of effort for enhancing one's own experiences during their travels.

Jerry: I'm wondering: How useful would you be to a French tourist in your home town to a person visiting from France who spoke only French and no English?

This is a little joke to illustrate how badly a person who doesn't speak well the local language can feel. <BR> <BR>I don't intend to harm or offend any one, Jeff himself, or Italians in general. I just thought it would be appropriate to light up this thread atmosphere: <BR> <BR> Italian <BR> <BR> <BR>(Must be read with and Italian accent) <BR> <BR>One day ima gonna Malta to bigga hotel. Ina morning I go down to eat breakfast. I tella waitress I wanna two pissis toast. She brings me only one piss. I tella her I want two piss. She say go to the toilet. I say you no understand, I wanna piss onna my plate. She say you better no piss onna plate, you sonna ma <BR>bitch. I don't even know the lady and she call me sonna ma bitch. Later I go to eat at the bigga restaurant. The waitress brings me a spoon and knife but no fock. I tella her I wanna fock. She tell me everyone wanna fock. I tell her you no understand. I wanna fock on the table. She say you better not fock on the table, you sonna ma bitch. So I go back to my <BR>room inna hotel and there is no shits onna my bed. Call the manager and tella him I wanna shit. He tell me to go to toilet. I say you no understand. I wanna shit on my bed. He say you better not shit onna bed, you sonna ma bitch. I go to the checkout and the man at the desk say: <BR>"Peace on you". I say piss on you too, you sonna ma bitch, I gonna back to Italy. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

The example of people coming to America and expecting everyone else to speak Chinese, Norwegian, etc, is not quite valid, since in the world of international travel, probably the majority of "English" conversations take place between people for neither of whom English is the native language. When I was in the Czech Republic I met a Turkish person and a Mongolian who carried English phrase books and dictionaries because there is no such thing apparently as a Czech-Turkish or Czech-Mongolian dictionary. French obviously is not an obscure or minor language in any way, however since it seems to be mainly Americans who complain of not finding any English speakers at Paris train stations and as I'm quite certain most modern day international travellers speak comparatively little French I have to think that some Parisians take a certain delight in snubbing Americans in this regard. Also since I have heard complaints of people who actually want to speak French being immediately cut off and responded to in English there seems to be a rather annoying game going on here. Personally I have been to Paris twice and I speak French relatively OK (though I still have trouble understanding it when spoken back to me) having studied it for many years so I guess have not encountered any memorable unpleasantness from the Parisians. Unfortunately I am still wary of it and expect some kind of problem/humiliating encounter every time I have to talk to someone.

I guess there are reason why different people plan different types of trips. <BR>If I could speak no French at all, was not accustomed to large city traffic, public transportation, etc., I might have planned my first trip differently. Possibly a tour. <BR>However, that was not the case. I did my homework and came prepared on that first trip to Paris(1979). When I first emerged at the Opera Metro station, I knew exactly in which direction I was pointing and which way to walk to the hotel. When we walked toward the Louvre the next morning I knew exactly in which direction to walk. I guess you get the idea. <BR>It's a shame to write of a world class city like Paris because of a little unpreparedness. While people are part of a visit, the sights are not rude. <BR>When going on an independent trip, one has to expect odd things to happen.

Jerry, you missed an important point. You said that "Greeting in French would have done us no good at all". The French will look upon you as rude if you don't greet in French, the opening with 'Boniour xxxxx' is VERY IMPORTANT. Most of the time you will not get an answer if they feel you are being rude.

Paris is a large cosmopolitan city and can be somewhat intimidating. However, the effort to get acquainted with it and its people is worth the effort. I don't know why English speaking people expect the rest of the world to speak their language. Paris has a huge and wonderful Tourist Info Center that should have been your first destination. The American Express office also has valuable information. After many years of travel, we have found that taking a 1 Day or 1/2 Day city tour helps give a good overall view of the city. I can't imagine being in one of the most famous cities in the world and not giving it a chance. If you don't feel you want to tackle the city on your own, maybe a three day guided tour would have been a better way to go. A pleasant greeting and sincere smile, along with a few key phrases are some of the best travels tools! Preparation is key!

And let us not forget that spending a fair amount of time lost and confused is often a central element of international travel. I spent 2 months in China in '81 and went weeks without finding an English speaker (and my attempts at Chinese were futile). Nevertheless it is precisely in those situations that one's resoursefulness is called upon and that you may have new, unexpected and amazing experiences precisely because your usual means of interacting with the world are no longer available to you. Robert Hunter said, "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at things right!"

<BR>..."I have to think that some Parisians take a certain delight in snubbing Americans in this regard. Also since I have heard complaints of people who actually want to speak French being immediately cut off and responded to in English there seems to be a rather annoying game going on here." <BR>....Right on, Elsegaard. This happens more than people here care to admit. So, just let them eat cake. But for heaven's sake stop bashing jerry for writing about his experience. <BR>

Other than I have to believe that some of you aren't telling the complete truth about your first visit, some of the responses have been informative. <BR> <BR>Let me give you just one example of what happened. This one will be more to the point. <BR> <BR>When we decided to leave the City of Lights, the person at the front desk of our motel (who did speak English) couldn't tell us exactly how we had to go on the Metro to get to Disneyland, where our car was parked. However, she did tell us where the nearest Metro station was- which was good. <BR> <BR>When I got to that Metro station, the man behind the glass gestured that he didn't understand my request, even though I said quite clearly "Disneyland." On my second attempt, I got a ticket to take me to the next stop. <BR> <BR>When we got to that stop, we got off the train and had to locate another ticket booth. When we did find the booth, again the lady behind the glass had no idea what we had requested, even after my wife had greeted her with "Bonjour." And even though I quite clearly said "Disneyland." <BR> <BR>There was a nice man in the train station that told us that we must go across the river to the other RER station and get the train to Disneyland that way. When we got across the river and finally found the train station (to which there are no signs), we bought our tickets that we thought would take us to Disneyland. There was slight hitch. <BR> <BR>I looked above the doors and there was a map you guys have been talking about. But which train were we on? We didn't know and there were no markings telling us. Luckily, at the end of the line before that train split and went another way, I asked a lady on the train if we needed to get off of this train? After a hesitation and me speaking slowly again, she said "Change." <BR> <BR>We got off of that train and wandered around the dock for a few moments. Luckily, again for us, there was a nice gentleman who spoke English and was getting on the train to Disneyland and helped us get on the right train. <BR> <BR>There is absolutely no way anybody on here can tell me that they never made a mistake with the public transportation system, which is totally whacked IMHO, in Paris on their first visit without any help. That's a complete lie. <BR> <BR>If the truth be known, you walked around for hours and finally fell upon the correct way to go. There's no need in lying to me. I know. I've been there. <BR> <BR>Just be aware Americans (especially those who've never used a public-transportation system before), it is confusing and hard to navigate. Don't let some of the messages on here fool you. Most of these people are glamorizing a trip that maybe wasn't all that glamorous.

Jerry! <BR> <BR>Did you to Paris/France to go to the Disneyland????????????? <BR>In a first trip to Paris??????? <BR>You must be a troll, or insane, or both!

Jerry, <BR>Do you expect me to believe your last posting? You went all the way to France to visit Disneyland? <BR> <BR>And, have not you heard about maps, travel books, and guides that tell you and help find your way around the Metro in English? <BR> <BR>Please, there is information and maps everywhere in the metro! Come on, you just got to a train station and hopped into the first train wihtout making sure you were on the right train, give me a break! <BR> <BR>No I have never wondered around FOR HOURS trying to find my way around the public transportation system anywhere in the world. I have a brain! I usually research months ahead before I leave, I buy maps and guides, and know where to go. Even in places like Japan, I just memorized the symbols and the maps. Maybe I got confused for a couple of minutes, but then I just think things over and I just found my way,NEVER HOURS. <BR> <BR>I have Never just stood there, or sit there expecting that somebody would approach me in English and hold my hand all the way to my destination. <BR> <BR>YOU MUST BE A TROLL!

Thanks a lot for the previous two idiotic postings. Where in my most recent post did I say I went to Disneyland? Can you people read? <BR> <BR>I said that is where my car was parked. <BR> <BR>If you can't read and comprehend, don't bother responding. <BR>

Smart Jerry! <BR> <BR>If you let your car parked on Disneyland, how you went to Paris? By metro, by taxi, by foot? <BR>At least you must be able to do the path back, for Christ sake's!

Jerry's either a troll or really stupid.

Every Paris tour guide I've ever seen has a metro/RER map in it along with instructions on how to use it. The direction you take is the last stop on that line and when you transfer the direction you take is toward the last stop on that line. We've been to Paris many, many time, speak only a few phrases of French, and have never ever had to ask anyone for help in using the metro or RER, or the buses either for that matter. Every metro car, RER train and bus has a HUGE (if not three or four) MAP of the route within. I can't imagine why you keep coming back to explain how deliberately unhelpful you were to yourself, but I've been laughing for days picturing an American fellow wandering all over "saying quite clearly "Disneyland'". Hilarious!