Paris disillusionment... we've seen it here on this forum.. from Margie. to Ziana's rant, and more recently mdtravel - - now with "Mitsuko" it's a syndrome!
Dec 23rd, 2004, 06:28 PM
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Hi elaine! It was 76 today and a rainy morning, the next few days are supposed to be in the 50s which is good enough for me. We can still have a fire 
As long as it is not HOT I will be happy .. Florida in the winter is nothing to whine about ( whew, for some people who live around me )
Yes!! Muffin..how could I forget LOL. Funny, how time and some posters make us long for the old days and the old trolls LOL
As long as it is not HOT I will be happy .. Florida in the winter is nothing to whine about ( whew, for some people who live around me )Yes!! Muffin..how could I forget LOL. Funny, how time and some posters make us long for the old days and the old trolls LOL
Dec 23rd, 2004, 06:59 PM
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Dec 24th, 2004, 01:58 PM
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While there are really no further reasons to top this thread further, I can report happily that I made it out of Henderson, Kentucky (darn close to the epicenter of the Dec 22 blizzard) - - and despite more driving at 25 mph than I cared for - - I have made it home for Christmas.
And it smells great here.
And it smells great here.
Dec 24th, 2004, 02:44 PM
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Glad you made it home safely, rex
I've just been watching pictures of the snowstorm on the evening news--southern Indiana seems to have been the center of the storm. Since you made it home, (albeit slowly)and safely, you are one of the lucky ones, as I'm sure you know.
I've just been watching pictures of the snowstorm on the evening news--southern Indiana seems to have been the center of the storm. Since you made it home, (albeit slowly)and safely, you are one of the lucky ones, as I'm sure you know.
May 1st, 2009, 04:18 AM
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I just re-read my post and I don't see it as particularly negative at all. And I just returned from Paris and pretty much stand by what I wrote after my first trip, coming back from my fourth.
The dog poop is true...so very true. If you don't watch where you step you will be scraping it off your shoes. In fact, we went in to a store and found a nice fresh piece of crap smeared all over the floor. Admittedly, it was a pet supply store (no actual pets sold there) but it is still a good example of the attitude the Parisiens have toward picking up the droppings of their dogs.
I did notice (or will comment on a previously observed) something about how the waiters tend to tables. First off, you will be seated at the absolute smallest table possible for your group. If there is an extra chair, it is likely that you won't be able to put your bag or coat on it; it will get whisked away. We had dinner at a place; there were four of us and an infant. We were going to put the infant in its car seat on a the fifth chair but it was pulled away quickly with some muttering. If there are extra place settings on the table, they will also get whisked away to find a more productive home. If you sit down at a table with silverware and a place mat and order drinks, these things will be pulled away as well to find a more productive home. I take these practices as a way of life, maximizing the small space available in my joints, and just part of the profession but some may view it as rude...it's not, it's just life.
Also, what is with the Parisiens who walk two abreast on the sidewalk and don't even think about moving to one side? Or who turn corners in the left 'lane' and then find themselves having to dart out of the way of people walking in the right 'lane'?
The dog poop is true...so very true. If you don't watch where you step you will be scraping it off your shoes. In fact, we went in to a store and found a nice fresh piece of crap smeared all over the floor. Admittedly, it was a pet supply store (no actual pets sold there) but it is still a good example of the attitude the Parisiens have toward picking up the droppings of their dogs.
I did notice (or will comment on a previously observed) something about how the waiters tend to tables. First off, you will be seated at the absolute smallest table possible for your group. If there is an extra chair, it is likely that you won't be able to put your bag or coat on it; it will get whisked away. We had dinner at a place; there were four of us and an infant. We were going to put the infant in its car seat on a the fifth chair but it was pulled away quickly with some muttering. If there are extra place settings on the table, they will also get whisked away to find a more productive home. If you sit down at a table with silverware and a place mat and order drinks, these things will be pulled away as well to find a more productive home. I take these practices as a way of life, maximizing the small space available in my joints, and just part of the profession but some may view it as rude...it's not, it's just life.
Also, what is with the Parisiens who walk two abreast on the sidewalk and don't even think about moving to one side? Or who turn corners in the left 'lane' and then find themselves having to dart out of the way of people walking in the right 'lane'?
May 1st, 2009, 04:52 AM
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<< If there are extra place settings on the table, they will also get whisked away to find a more productive home >>
The extra place settings also get taken away here in the US. In my home I would also remove an extra place setting from the table.
<< Also, what is with the Parisiens who walk two abreast on the sidewalk and don't even think about moving to one side >>
Agree with this. Now I'm among the "mature" travelers I'm amazed at the young people who hog the sidewalks (and not just in France) and don't move aside for someone older. No manners !! I wonder what would happen if one time no one gives way.
The extra place settings also get taken away here in the US. In my home I would also remove an extra place setting from the table.
<< Also, what is with the Parisiens who walk two abreast on the sidewalk and don't even think about moving to one side >>
Agree with this. Now I'm among the "mature" travelers I'm amazed at the young people who hog the sidewalks (and not just in France) and don't move aside for someone older. No manners !! I wonder what would happen if one time no one gives way.
May 1st, 2009, 05:03 AM
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We have that same "two abreast" problem when walking by the Potomac here in northern VA. Not specific to Paris.
I loved Paris so much that I even thought dodging dog poop was a charming part of the experience. And we had such a great time dog-watching! Depends on your perspective, I guess.
I loved Paris so much that I even thought dodging dog poop was a charming part of the experience. And we had such a great time dog-watching! Depends on your perspective, I guess.
May 1st, 2009, 05:57 AM
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I just got back from another visit to Paris,( daughter is studying there) and am sadly out of love with what used to be one of my favorite cities. It's still one of the most beautiful cities on earth IMHO, but I am no longer charmed by mostly mediocre and overpriced French food, to say nothing of the rudeness. Then again, I could say the very same things about NYC, so maybe I'm - as my mother would say- just "being a spoiled brat!" NAH...
May 1st, 2009, 06:09 AM
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Sometimes you just can't win! Last year I commented on how much I loved Paris and the Parisians in spite of negativity that I had heard about them. I tried to find the thread so that I could post it, but I couldn't. I was blasted for my comments, which made me hesitate to contribute anything on this forum. Prior to our trip I had hear so many negative things about Paris, but so many fodorites, and our two daughters, loved it so much that we decided to see for ourselves. On the thread I told everybody that we were treated so well anywhere we went and that we found the Parisians to be very hospitable and lovely. I hope someone can find the thread for me, so I can illustrate how you just cannot make everybody happy. I thought my comments were positive. My intention of that post was to allow anyone that was hesitant about going to Paris because of rudeness to see that we had a wonderful experience and I would not have missed it for anything. In fact, we may be going again in Sept.
I just want to thank anyone who contributed to that thread and understood what I was trying to say and not make it into something that it wasn't. As you can see by how long it took me to reply to Rex's post, that I have shied away from the forum for awhile. I also appreciate all the expert advice I get from all of you, it has been invaluable. Thanks.
I just want to thank anyone who contributed to that thread and understood what I was trying to say and not make it into something that it wasn't. As you can see by how long it took me to reply to Rex's post, that I have shied away from the forum for awhile. I also appreciate all the expert advice I get from all of you, it has been invaluable. Thanks.
May 1st, 2009, 07:06 AM
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We just got back from Istanbul and were struck by how friendly the people were. In every restaurant we went to the staff couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. That said, we love Paris and know that the people are more, shall we say aloof than other places. I can get past that most times because I enjoy the city so much.
It would be nice to experience the same sort of welcome that we had in Istanbul, but I don't think that will ever happen; it wouldn't be Paris, would it?
Most cities that I have traveled to have had their share of either rude or indifferent people. It is the rare person who shares the sidewalk or gives up their seat on the subway or bus. It's too bad it's become that way, but I won't let it stop me from visiting those cities, Paris being on the top of the list.
We head back in October and I can't wait. I can be as aloof as the next person and usually appear to be as my french is minimal at best.
It would be nice to experience the same sort of welcome that we had in Istanbul, but I don't think that will ever happen; it wouldn't be Paris, would it?
Most cities that I have traveled to have had their share of either rude or indifferent people. It is the rare person who shares the sidewalk or gives up their seat on the subway or bus. It's too bad it's become that way, but I won't let it stop me from visiting those cities, Paris being on the top of the list.
We head back in October and I can't wait. I can be as aloof as the next person and usually appear to be as my french is minimal at best.
