Lovely idea!

But somewhere else other than this lovely trip report! :-)

Belinda, I am just not pretentious enough to think that I know the best plan for everybody, unlike some of the people here. I am much better at answering questions about details.

And of course I am excellent at criticizing the poor choices of certain people. ;-)

Rialtogrl - I deny I’m me. :^o

"It's unfortunate that you tipped. Everybody works. Does everybody deserve a tip for doing their job?"


"Pepper_von_snoot on Dec 16, 17 at 8:55am
It doesn't matter what cost the bill is, you should tip between 15-20% if the gratuity is NOT included.

Aren't you Canadian, Danon?

I am a very generous tipper because, as a
Quaker, I understand how much Satan lives in the heart of many American diners.

Thin"

I know this has nothing to do with this thread but I thought this was a funny line. I am sorry Tanoose1 for hijacking your thread.

The reason I recommend the 6eme arrondissement, is that most tourists think that this is what Paris is like to someone who lives there.

And I resent the gluttonous piling on of "food" - nobody needs to eat that much.

Wow, while the cat's away....

I don't know where to start on all this..

"The reason I recommend the 6eme arrondissement, is that most tourists think that this is what Paris is like to someone who lives there."
Where would that notion come from? I think people stay there because it's convenient to many popular tourist sites. It's also one of the arrondisements listed in particularly every guide book as a nice place ot stay, but I have never heard the books describe it as living like a local.

Nobody said anything about "living like a local" - quite the contrary, in fact.

It's just that tourists like to imagine that they are in the "real Paris" - that's all.

Plus, it's centrally located...

Is there a dominant culture here? I suppose there is, probably. North American tourists prefer the 6th and 7th arrondissements. Most European tourists prefer the 9th and 10th arrondissements (or the 2nd and 3rd if they are along the Grands Boulevards). That is because of "value for money" and also a huge selection of medium priced restaurants. Italian tourists like the 12th, because it is near Gare de Lyon. Middle Eastern tourists are obsessed by the Champs Elysées and stay in the 8th and the 16th. Japanese tourists like the 1st and 2nd. Who is correct?

I did read in the paper today that the greatest number of tourists this year came from the United States and Japan. If that is the standard, then most people should stay in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th arrondissements. Forget the rest of Paris. It is worthless.

"...but I have never heard the books describe it as living like a local."

This reminded me of the Times Square area in NYC. Most locals have derogatory things to say about the area but a friend who could live pretty much anywhere in the world, chooses to live in...the Times Square area in NYC!

Not a fan of the 6th? Fine. But so what if others like to stay there on trips?

This was not my first trip to Paris. I just went through some of my old travel journal's. I have stayed in the following arrondissements. 7, 11, 16, 12 and 8. Most of the hotels I stayed at were small and more geared for tourist groups as I was traveling with high school teenagers. I enjoyed every hotel we stayed at. Even the one I got bit up by bed bugs.

What I was trying to say was...For me the 6th was perfect for what I wanted to do. I was looking forward to being by Notre Dame, The Seine, the church that I wanted to do some work with and I also thought the area looked amazing via google Earth. In no way was I saying it was the best place to stay. For me it was. I really enjoyed the neighborhood my friend lives in. That to me was real Paris as I felt as though I was the only American walking around. Except for the busboy from Jersey! Shout out to him again.

Barb, no offense to the Karen Carpenter line. As I know lots of women who suffer from it as well. In fact, one jokes about Karen and the stuff she goes through.

rialtogrl..Rarely do I make Lebanese food at my restaurant. It's a lot of work and my customers would freak out at the price. Grapeleaves are a labor of love and take 6 hours to make and 10 minutes to devour. My restaurant is in Sterling Heights Mi. Old House Family Restaurant. Good food/Bad attitude! I have been in business for almost 30 years. I know longer say I own a restaurant. I now say a restaurant owns me! If your ever in the Detroit area, please stop by.

Kerouac..You constantly beat up on me here in this post. Well, I'm not taking offense. And I hope we can still be friends here. If not. God Bless and Merrry Christmas.

Starrs, I love you so much. You have always been so kind to me and my family. We still have the crib sheets you sent the triplets. They are folded up and put away. I wouldn't let my DD get rid of them. I'm going to do something with them for the babies.

And I can't find the comment about over eating. It's not over eating. It's the simple fact of the love for food.

Not to brag. But I have traveled quite a bit for a little Detroit home girl. England, Spain, France, French Riveria, Monaco, USA, Mexico, South America, Canada and Italy. Where ever I go I try to respect the locals and give something back to the community in some way. And I will continue to do so inspite of some of the harsh comments here. And Thank you to all the kind one's.

tanoose1 for sure I will stop by! I hear ya on the grapeleaves, my favorite food growing up. When I was a teenager I could eat 20-30 of them. I kid you not. See you in MI someday and thanks again for posting your report.

Wish I had known about your restaurant - we were in Detroit last year.
I too loved your TR. Thanks for sharing.

I love your response! Great job! I think a lot of people no longer post in the Europe forum for some of the reasons that showed up on this thread. It's a shame. No one - even brand new newbies - don't need the lectures given. Advice, yes! Lectures, no! You've stayed in more arrondissements than most and you still get a lecture about the 6th. That just shouldn't happen. Anyway, it was a great trip for you. I can't wait to return (to the 6th) in a few months. I'm going to try some of your restaurant recommendations here - and will surprise you one day in MI!

Frankly, my concept of lectures is all of the people who say "you must stay in the 6th arrondissement." But that'z all right. I have set foot in the 6th arrondissement perhaps only half a dozen times this year, just passing through, but that is also all right.

"...my concept of lectures is all of the people who say "you must stay in the 6th arrondissement."..."

But that wasn't the OP nor in this thread, so no need to speak to "all of the people" you hear say that. Here. It distracted from her TR.

I've not heard that here on the Fodors forums so I don't have that same experience - and the OP obviously doesn't believe that to be the case.