Christina, agree with you. All of it.

He was just following the same route the taxis take from the airport to your hotel.

First of all, I would not characterize any Parisian as ever "being rude to American tourists". That they respond curiously to American tourists "new to Paris" in search of anyplace in Paris without a map and letting their "nostrils to do the walking" certainly does not render them rude. Not only did I, personally, not enjoy your "report", I suspect your were more in search of a "vignette" experience than assistance, and I am positively appalled that you would (in my guess) embellish the story, present it as humorous, and even dare to post it here. Why two women "new to Paris" would follow anyone, anywhere, is totally beyond my comprehension. And, I can't imagine why you would continue to pursue assistance from anyone you were unable to understand. I would assume the gentleman in question was doing his very best to get you to the Musee d'Orsay the best way possible, considering the weather and the distance, and your apparent ignorance, and so graciously led you to a bus stop. That you "dumped" him at that point, leaving him obviously (even to you) "dismayed" at your behavior, is beyond RUDE. Secondly, I am continuously amazed that American tourists spend thousands to travel overseas and go there without having read a single tour guide, learned a word of the local language, or even a map. All of the seasoned travellers who contribute to this board will agree that the quality of your experience while travelling is directly proportional to the research and planning you invest into it. While in Paris, my husband and I found that the Parisians were a bit "chilly" at first, but then warmed up delightfully (to us) after a few minutes. Never once, though, was anyone in Paris ever rude to us. It's no wonder, though, an "ugly American" stereotype has evolved.

Georgia, Not to worry about any adverse remarks, even the most organised travellers can forget maps or like us accidently packing our Eastern Europe travel guide when we were heading for Madrid . BTW I think Americans are too hard on yourselves. After 4 weeks of wandering in Europe and Spain only on one occasion did we notice an incident. In Vienna a tourist was most upset and caused quite a scene when the vendor of postcards would only give the price in Schillings not US currency. Peg.

I too was in Paris 3 weeks ago for the first time and had the same issue. Where exactly is the Orsay from the Lourve? One easy answer is "hail a taxi." We did not, we went in search and found it directly by following a map and looking around using to previous research. A map is a necessity. On another note, my friend would ask directions/order food with a full fast-paced English sentence to a French speaking person. Example (Looking at the waiter) "I really like a lighter beer, so I do not know if I will like these. I guess I will just have a Heineken." Imagine someone talking to you in a foreign language you do not understand, you usually are lost at the 4 word and quit listening at the 8 word. For all non French speaking travelers, leave out as many articles and verbs and stick to the nouns. A simple, "Heineken, s'il vous plait" would suffice and many "rude French" stories probably would not appear. As my Parisian friend, told me-- "How would you like it if I came to your country and demanded you/everyone speak my language and understand my currency." Make's sense ! ! !

Thank heavens for travelers such as Christina, Joanne and Tara, who make up for the bumbling fools from everywhere who take trips. I know myself that I'm really glad they take up the slack. It's very critical that only the most well-prepared and conscientious people should travel; the rest of us should just stay home until we can get it right. <BR>I will point that out to the next visitor to Arizona who asks if they drive to Disneyland this morning, will they have most of today to spend there. <BR>

Georgia: <BR> <BR>I'm not sure how one can spent five days in Paris without some idea of where the Musee d'Orsay is in relationship to the Louvre. <BR> <BR>Having said that, I'm appalled that you and your friend considered this poor man's attempts at hospitality "overzealous and chose to throw his kindness back in his face. <BR> <BR>Or were you looking for evidence to support your "rude French" hypothesis. <BR> <BR>IMO, you usually get what you give, but in this case you were overcompensated.

Georgia should use her vacation to study manners and English grammar, rather than go to foreign countries and make an idiot of herself.

Tara, you hit the nail on the head. Georgia is writing an emellished vignette that she thinks is amusing. I'm not sorry for the Frenchman (if he exists he'll shrug his soldiers and forget it), but I do feel a little badly for all her acquaintances who are going to be listening to her travel stories. And I'll bet she has a trunk full of 'em.

Here I wrote a long thread in commentary and I was kicked off aol. I hate that. Anyway I think the people on this forum ought to lighten up and be more forgiving. We all make mistakes from time to time in our ineractions with people.

that's interactions. I was typing fast in response to getting kicked off. <BR>Recently,I insulted someone when in Paris, unintentionally. I was exchanging $100 I think and had also purchased a phone card. Well, I counted my money twice and asked the man if there was some mistake; he pointed to the card and I said oh...I forgot. He said "use your tete! Oh well, can't win em all.

For all of you who supported me thank you so much and I hope you enjoy my other postings! Those who didn't like it, "Oh well, happy travels to you, skip my other postings, and have a Merry Christmas." Later folks ...

What a bunch of grumps! I can't believe there are so many perfect travellers out there! To have never been lost in a new city? Have you never asked for directions before? One of my most charming memories (and yes all of my poor friends have heard it before) involved trying to find the Hard Rock in Paris, and the different people we met while asking for directions. Sorry, my map didn't seem to have the location. I won't relay the details for fear of being flamed, but we found the Parisians were very committed to helping us and the whole incident was very entertaining! <BR> <BR>And, to reverse the idea, there are plenty of times when a foreign tourist asks me for directions, and I can tell as I am explaining that they don't understand what I am talking about. And they often go off in a completely different direction, but I don't get mad about it. Maybe this guy had a funny story to tell about the dumb american broads who didn't even get on the bus he took them too!

Ditto. Am glad that some of "experienced" writers that I know and interfaced with off-line that posted were "supporters."

Hi Kim, <BR>Funny you mention it, but where is the Hard Rock cafe? During our Champs Elysee day (we were on the Champs Elysee, just got off the Metro) an American approached us for directions to Hard Rock cafe. We were in the area of Arc D Triomphe, McDonald's and Virgin Megastore.

Whew! Those are some harsh words being flung at Georgia. It reminds me of the postings a few months ago when Becky wrote about her experience in France. Remember the Frenchman who was too frisky in the swimming pool? <BR>I'm in the don't leave home without it camp, always have my map. But I still get turned around sometimes, and Paris brings out an uncharacteristic giddyness in me. So I can't fault Georgia and Kim. <BR>As to the cross-eyed Frenchman (what a great title for a murder mystery) he seems to have tried his darndest and hopefully is dining out and regaling his companions with his own wry observations on this mutual misadventure.