Other cities vs. Paris?
 

We have planned a trip to Paris in mid April with our teenage children, but have some concerns about anti-American sentiment, particularly in France given their ardent disagreement with us. Is there likely to be more antagonism toward us in Paris than in other cities in Europe? Should we consider a different destination?

Having travelled to France many times, I have never seen a problem. Though some people may have strong feelings, when it comes to the daily life, most people just get on with it and deal with you as they normally would. Though the French are generally much more interested in politics, I can't imagine a problem. I am currently planning a return visit and am not concerned at all.

betha;<BR>Absolutely not. The disagreement is with the Bush Admin., not with you.<BR>Don't let a few people here and there scare you away from a fine and beautiful place. Go and have a fine adventure, sit in cafes sipping coffee or an apertif and enjoy. I'm sure most all of the follow up posts will tell you the same. Have a wonderful trip!

I think of the French as being rather self-centered (like Americans), except a lot more vociferous about it. I suspect you might get a few more cold shoulders than usual, but that's about all. You would be more likely to be inconvenienced by the farmers (or truckers, or transit workers, or ...) getting mad about something and &quot;taking to the barricades&quot; (French tradition of blocking the streets for any protest).

Operaman says it perfectly. It's all there for you and it is undiminished. I didn't see anything resembling an antagonistic atmosphere. (Just returned Monday and I will be happy to go back.)

Thank you very much for your reassurances. This is our first trip to Europe and while we are not the kind of people who expect everyone to bow down before us, we wouldn't want to meet with poor attitudes at every turn; I'm relieved to hear that the reports of antagonism I've read are exaggerated.

I was in Paris last month with my daughter who is in high school, and I will return next week with my other daughter who is in college. We met with lots of friendly people who were happy to see Americans since tourism is way down since last September 11. <BR><BR>The news I heard on the television and radio was filled with reports of anti-French sentiment in the US, but I didn't hear any anti-American sentiment. There was lots of news about the Iraqi situation, but it was news about war and didn't appear, at least to me with my less-than-perfect French, to be anti-American. <BR><BR>I hope you and your kids love Paris. I feel so privileged to have done this with my own kids.

Was in Paris twice within the past year and will be going again in the fall. There probably is more anti-French sentiment in the streets here than anti-American sentiment over there. You'll have a great time.

Yes, you should consider a completely different destination and boycott the French, Germans and the Belgians!<BR><BR>I would suggest the UK, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic as alternatives. I've been to these places and they are awesome!<BR><BR>US

Betha-<BR>We just returned last week from a trip to Paris and had no problems at all! Quite the opposite actually! We took a boat trip (along with 50 16 year old school boys!), and they wanted to know everything that was going on in the States! <BR>We heard tons of current American music being played (Eminem, JLo, JaRule...your kids will know!)<BR><BR>I think it would be an incredible learning experience for your kids! Make sure you take them to the Centre Pompidou, shocking art that they will think is cool!<BR><BR>I don't think anyone is happy that the French Gov't is not backing ours, but we shouldn't hold it against the shop-keepers and hotel and restaurant workers! They don't hold grudges against us (well, I'm sure some do, but we didn't witness it!)<BR><BR>Go and have a blast, you will be so happy you did...and think it silly you were ever concerned (admittedly, I was a little worried before our trip!)

I too just returned from a week in Paris and found no ant-Americanism. In fact I've never encountered rudeness at all when in France or Paris. If anything, you may, after getting into a conversation, have someone ask you about the policies of our president. And it will most likely be clear the person asking doesn't agree w/Bush. Personally, I see that as an opportunity to break down misconceptions. There a lot of people who believe the French and Parisians in particular are rude. They are wrong. The French seem quite able to seperate the individual American from the policies of the American government. If you have a strong belief against the French and their feelings regarding Iraq, then don't visit. But if your worried about the French taking their feelings out on the invidual American tourist, don't let that stop your travels you will be welcome.

Thank you once again. We certainly don't have feelings against the French, quite the contrary. And I have always upheld the belief that communication breaks down the barriers that exist--I hope I have the opportunity to talk to our hosts, the French people.

My personal belief is that the regard for &quot;politics&quot; in places like France are far different from those in the US. I have numerous friends here in the US who are pro or anti Bush and have gotten into major arguments (you can't call them discussions) and are now bitter enemies. They won't attend the same parties and go out of their way to avoid each other. In France, such discussions about politics take place every day and while two people may totally disagree with each other, the next day they will greet each other as the closest of friends. Politics do not get in the way of friendships. I think this same attitude carries over in the regard for Americans. A Frenchman may totally disagree with the American stand on something -- particularly this war -- but that has nothing to do with how he will personally treat an American.<BR><BR>I hate to put it this way, but I think the same thing is true with the generalizations we as Americans tend to do as opposed to the generalizations by French. As you can tell from many posts here, there are many Americans who want nothing to do with any French people because of their government's stand. But there are few French who would have nothing to do with Americans because of the American government's stand.

It's been 4 years since we were in Paris and have always wanted to go back..but not right now. My Italian born-and-raised husband saw on television the other night that some Americans in Italy were accosted and yelled at that they hated our President and just bad mouthing America in general..and Italy supposedly backs our position, at least the government does.<BR>And when our daughter and son-in-law were in Rome last spring, a group of young punks were taunting them under their breathe with nasty remarks about America. Granted, that's Italy but I'll bet the same is happening in France. <BR>So would I go and spend our hard earned dollars in that part of the world right now? No.