Paris - avoid if possible
 

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>Yes, the Parisians will respond to your "Bonjour" with a smile and a "Bonjour." But if you cannot carry the next conversation in French and you asked if the Parisian speaks English, you will get a big "NON!" and a stern stare as if you are a carrier of some exotic and deadly disease. <BR> <BR>Having been to Paris three times and wanting to help non-French speaking travelers to Paris adjust to the "unfriendliness" of Parisians, I am writing this message to prepare those "die-hard," non-French speakers to cope with the cold reality of visiting one of the most dirty, graffti-ladened and dog-dung infested cities in the world. Don't spend your time looking at the nicely dressed and perfume clouded young Parisian women - do pay attention to what you are stepping on in the streets. <BR> <BR>Also, make your travel plan to Paris not to coincide with some type of transportation/airport personnel strike. Myself and a plane load of Japanese tourists waited at the Lufthansa Charles De Gulle baggage belt for 4 hours before we realized that there is a baggage handler strike. We spent the next two-hours waiting in line to get baggage recovery forms. Needless-to-say my plan for visiting a friend who lives near the Notre Dame Cathedral went up in smoke. <BR> <BR>And what about Tour Eiffel? Man, that place is turning into "Little India" with groups of young Indians standing 3 meters apart selling gifts. How did they ever get into France? I though India was a former British colony. <BR> <BR>Go and visit Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Munich and even London. But stay away from Paris, if you can. <BR> <BR>Au revoir! <BR> <BR>Sam

Gosh, I guess some people can't see a good side to anything. Guess I've been visiting a different Paris.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>I do see the good side of things, that is why I would recommend that you visit Vienna, Prague, Budapest..etc. before considering Paris. <BR> <BR>Maybe you need to go visit the places I listed above then you would know that Paris, compared with these places, is a real "Much Ado About Nothing." <BR> <BR>The Parisians are experts at creating a myth for their city. But experienced travelers can see through this "smoke and mirror." <BR>

And I thought I was cranky.

&lt;&lt;Myself and a plane load of Japanese tourists waited at the Lufthansa Charles De Gulle baggage belt for 4 hours before we realized that there is a baggage handler strike.&gt;&gt; <BR> <BR>FOUR hours? And you didn't inquire about the problem? A whole plane load of people just sat for FOUR hours staring at the bagage carousel? I can see why perhaps you weren't prepared for a trip out of the country.

Hey Sam, there's a guy who posts here named Bruce Davidson. The two of you should pair up and travel together, you sound like a perfect match. He can show you what there is to hate in Barcelona and you can show him what there is to hate in Paris. Or better yet, avoid both places so there is more room for those of us who really like to travel to such places.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>Yes, myself and a plane load of Japanese tourists waited for four hours at the CDG baggage belt because the few CDG baggage people refused to tell us what is going on - to them, it is "ce la vie -So is life." "You come to see our great city so you will have to put up with what we dish to you." <BR> <BR>We were dumb alright. We chose Paris as our destination. <BR> <BR>Sam

TROLL TROLL TROLL....all the bench marks are there, controversial opinion, racial remarks designed to stir us up... <BR>GO HOME LITTLE TROLL... BACK TO YOUR MOUNTAIN ON LONELY PLANET....

Let's see <BR>This person has an understandably unpleasant delay at baggage claim <BR>because of a strike. This is not bad luck, this is a personal affront. He spends four hours waiting at the luggage carousel. He finds that there is no dirt or graffiti in Vienna, Prague, etc. <BR>He can't just say that he doesn't care for Paris or that he has had unpleasant experiences thre, he's got <BR>to slam everyone and everything in it and take pot shots at an ethnic group as well. And it's the Parisians who he says are unfriendly and who stare sternly at him? Wonder why. <BR>

Oh no, Buyer, did we fall for another one? <BR>Sorry.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>The next time someone says that he/she has had a bad experience in a Bagdad, Dasmascus, Amman or Riyadh, I will accuse him/her of the same things you are saying to me. <BR> <BR>In my opinion there are two types of people who love Paris - 1. the uncivilized ones who no cultural/historical tradition as his/her background who need to go to Paris to get "civilized" by the arrogant French and 2. those who were put down by Parisians but cannot admit to others that they have had a bad experience because they spent their money on purpose to go to Paris. <BR> <BR>Yes, Tour Eiffel and other Parisian places are turning into "Little Indias." Don't believe me, go and see for yourself - when is the last time you were there? <BR> <BR>Sam

Gotta be a troll.

Yep, troll-o-rama. <BR> <BR>Wondering where all those posts about bad experiences in Amman, Riyadh, etc., are that "Sam" is talking about. I didn't realize all those places were in Europe. Oh--they're not? Silly me. Then why would Sam expect the folks on a travel board discussing Europe to start randomly complaining about the Middle East?

I didn't realize I had just crossed over a bridge and forgot to pay the troll the appropriate toll. Hmmmm - there are also a couple of "I hate to travel alone" threads all posted within an hour - they all have similar tones - I suspect a troll there too. Must be that time of day - and I thought trolls were nocturnal.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>OK I am a Troll but then you are blind for defending the "undefendable" Paris. <BR> <BR>No matter, my message "Paris - avoid if possible" is here to stay. <BR> <BR>Ce la vie! So they say in Paris! <BR> <BR>Sam

You mean all those millions of repeat visitor/francophiles are just dead wrong about one of the most fabulous cities on earth? Thank goodness you let us know before we bothered going back!

Sam, Sam, Sam, we've all had bad experiences, but it's not worth the trouble, now is it? You've vented, now let it go. Like a good little troll...

Oh I think that Sam just wants everyone to stay away so he can have Paris all to himself!

Okay, Sam, you're not a troll; you're a jerk!

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>Yes, I am a jerk and a troll. <BR> <BR>But I am a jerk and a troll with a pretty young French mistress in Paris. That's is why I went there last week for the 3rd time. What/who do you have in Paris? Dog dropping underneath your shoes? Stinky Parisian cigarette smoke on your clothing? <BR> <BR>And if you are somewhat decent looking you may get propositioned by the horde of young North African Parisians who are looking for a freebie with an American. <BR> <BR>I am having the last laugh and with these many responses to my message. people looking for Paris travel information can't miss my message. <BR> <BR>The next time I am smoking a Davidoff and drinking a Hennessy Cognac looking out my hotel window at the lited Tour Eiffel from my mistress' apartment room and after having a good time with my mistress Maria, I will think of you poor people who "dream of Paris for being a great city" but who has nothing/no one in Paris to claim to. <BR> <BR>Sam

And it's "c'est la vie," you mouth-breathing parochial sea urchin.

To "Name Caller," <BR> <BR>I told you I don't know French. Even if I do, I would speak English to Parisians just to irk them like I would speak Arabic in the Mideast to American and English tourists to put them on the spot! <BR> <BR>Sam

Poor Sam, <BR> How can you stand to gaze upon that "lited" Tour Eifel knowing it's surrounded by Indian vendors? I'm just hoping you catch a quality STD from the lovely Maria--the ultimate souvenir of Paris for a jolly chap such as yourself!

Sam, <BR> <BR>You must have a lot of money, because you didn't get a pretty mistress using your personality. And from your tone, I'd say you lack in good looks because sound soooo insecure. By the way, are you this rude when you take her out on the town in Paris? I'd be quite embarrassed to be seen with you!

Please forgive my other personality. The drugs are having less and less effect and now I'm writing messages to Fodors which I don't remember writing. I've never been to Paris, but I have been to Galveston. Lo ciento.

You guys are all missing it! this is'nt Sam it's Bruce Davidson in disguise. He's got tired of bashing Barcelona and now moved on to Paris. I have to go there now, to see if it is true what he is saying . Bruce you are going to cost me a lot of money! Now you got your 15 min. of fame (for you that is) GO AWAY!!!!!!

Sam boy: <BR>Next time you're looking out the window with a Davidoff and a cognac, take a look down at your pecker and see the nice "boil" your mistress just gave you....

There are so many things wrong with the tone of your message, but the most offensive is your racist arrogance with regard to the Eiffel Tower.

Sam, I think we should introduce you to "Barcelona Bruce"; you guys would get along fabulously!

Poor Maria, the "mistress."

I suppose this was intended as the "French-bashing thread of the week" ... (gros soupir). <BR> <BR>Anyway, if I ever meet Sam, I'll carefully hide the fact that I can speak English and let him get lost in the seedier areas of Paris (or drown in the Seine), which is the standard Parisian attitude on meeting such an unpleasant character ... <BR> <BR> <BR>

It wasn't his fault. Sam Bruce was new to the spy game. He strolled across the café with caribou-like grace. The bartender asked for his order. "Je suis une petit meduse," said Sam, thinking that he sounded self-confident and urbane, not realizing that he'd just declared himself to be a small jellyfish. The room exploded with Gallic laughter. He rushed out onto rue St. Michel, his face burning bright. The pretty girl he was hoping to impress had been laughing hardest. He vowed never to return to Paris.

Try living in NYC for 35 years...anything will be a breath of fresh air. <BR>Ill take Paris over NYC anyday.

Hi there Mark, <BR> <BR>Fuhgeddaboutit! You ain't gettin a rise outta me. I'll just note that 35 years is a helluva long time to live in a town you hate. Hey, maybe you oughta move to Paree.

<BR>I agree with you Carol. I love Paris but would not live anywhere else but good ole NYC!!!

Hi everyone, <BR> <BR>What a lovely discussion about Paris we are having here. <BR> <BR>I am sure Mr. Sam has his preference for Paris and there is no need to attack the person. But, having known Americans who openly profess "the right to express oneself" and then attack others who do not agree with them, I can have sympathy for Mr. Sam. <BR> <BR>I am glad that most Americans who visit Paris do not stay permanently here. Otherwise, we Parisian/French will learn "intolerance" from them. <BR> <BR>GA <BR>Paris

A Frenchman speaking of tolerance. Now I've heard it all. What about all of those Algerians that you have been trying to expell? <BR> <BR>I've said it before and I'll say it again, people who claim to love Paris have internalized too much tourist industry PR. <BR> <BR>The US is the second most visited tourist destination in the world, does this imply that people throughout the world love McDonalds and Wal-Mart?

I live in the US and I want to move to Europe. But I have to admit that I would miss Wal-mart the most. <BR>Hate McDonalds, worst complaint about Spain was the large number of McD's.

Hey Carol - Cut Mark S. some slack - 35 years is a long time here. I have a "love-hate" relationship with NYC - there are times when I feel so incredibly lucky to be living here and other times I'm wishing I could see NYC in a rear view mirror. I do wish NYC was as architecturally pleasing as Paris - and wouldn't afternoon siestas be great - but I agree that nowhere compares to the energy of NYC. <BR> <BR>But I digress - I was supose to be responding to what-his-name thread - Bruce? - right?.......

Ah Monsieur, <BR> <BR>We French are "tolerant" people. Do you not know our national credo is "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity?" <BR> <BR>We may ignore foreigners who do not speak French - such as Mr. Sam, but we don't have violent tendency like you Americans. Look at your 15-year boy shooting in a San Diego school and other such incidences. Your children are being <BR>brought up in such a violent environment and you speak of "Give me liberty or give me death?" It is "death" that you Americans are giving to each other and to the poor people of the world - such as the Iraqis. <BR> <BR>Stay home with your guns and violent tendency - please, we ignore non-French speakers but we do not shoot them!!! <BR> <BR>As for the Algerians, they have no right to live in France. Do you open your door to the poor Mexican people coming to your country and without papers? I think you call them "wet-backs," no? <BR> <BR>GA <BR>Paris