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