Rick Steves has been villified, demonized, and roundly criticized on this board, but if you prefer "the devil you know" to "the devil you don't know", today's NY Times (readable online) has a four page article on the guy and his modus operandi.

(On the other hand, that's part of the complaint: too many people do know him and his tourist infested recommendations all too well.)

I enjoyed the article and discovered a few things, one of which was a momentary regret that I am not a tall man.

I was amused by the name of his fans as Rickniks and that some Parisiens refer to Rue Cler as Rue Rick Steves.
There's room for all and his style is different from others, so pick your own taste. I'm a Patricia Wells and Rudy Maxa fan but I watch Steves. There's something to learn from everyone . Same on this forum.

Well put, Mimi!

Merci, CroqueMadame. Interesting article.

The first time that I have heard about Rick Steves was in this Forum..Never read or watched his show..I must be the Lonely Rangerette..

That's ok kismet but some who have never read his books or seen his Tv shows say nasty things. He's not a favorite of mine but have some reason to post negitively, like some posters on the Osman guide thread who post the as told to me. Speak from experience.
otherwise it's another urban legend.

As told to should have been in quotes and I meant to say have seen