My mother & I are planning to visit Paris for 2 weeks in May. She is getting cold feet because of the anti-American / anti-war attitudes we hear about. We will clearly act like tourists -- no chance of blending in! What do you advise?

Not go to Paris? Surely you're not ready just yet to pull the plug on all your planning, desires, dreams. Now is now, May is May. Things change - and possibly it will be for the better. Hold off, wait for more information, and stay positive. Being a tourist is still an honorable endeavor.

You're going to Paris not Baghdad. You are a tourist with euros to spend and Paris wants them. I'm going in May and so should you. Relax, you will be fine.<BR>Have a great time.<BR><BR>Larry J<BR>

Hi<BR>if you keep scrolling down here on the left you will find several threads on people commenting on or questioning attitudes toward American tourist, esp in France. The consensus among those who have just returned from trips is that they have experienced no anti-American slurs, attitudes, or unpleasantness. Anti-American- Government is mostly what you have been reading about.<BR><BR>The occasional possible unkind remark from one person to another is an exception, not a general practice; there are idiots in every country, including in the supermarket line at home.<BR><BR>I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me at<BR>[email protected]

&quot;&quot;France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes.&quot;<BR>---Mark Twain<BR><BR><BR>Go ahead, as Mark Twain said, the prostitutes still want your $$$ even if they detest your country...and quite possibly, you!<BR><BR>US

And remember, these wonderful Europeans that post ont this board and the Euro Wannabes and apologists are convinced that they have this unique ability to have your government, your President, your values and then still just love you...as if you have no interest at all in those things they hate about where you are from!<BR><BR>US

I second the sentiments of Uncle_Sam. No offense to you or your mother, but if you are concerned about reprisals, then why bother? If it's not too late, perhaps you can choose another destination.

Yes, yes, yes, and any other month that you can.

With due respect to concerns about travel at this time etc.. there have been SO many threads on this topic.. since when did we become the &quot;land of the free and the home of the terrified to be insulted???&quot; <BR>There are no guarentees in life, you need to decide if you feel comfortable or not.. We just returned from Paris and had a wonderful time not one bit of rudenessor anti-americanism..plenty of Anti Bushism though, be forewarned. .. But there is no question that many people all over the world disagree with the course of action our government is taking.. that is the reality. You need to determine your own comfort zone.I wish you luck whatever you decide.

LOL, Sam, no need to question anyone's patriotism, simply because they wish to visit Paris. Perhaps this is the trip of a lifetime for them, a dream about to come through. Surely you wouldn't begrudge them that, would you. And Snoopy, think for yourself, OK?

Hey Scotland, read my post on &quot;Just returned from Paris - FANTASTIC!&quot; that pretty much sums it up. The French people were wonderful and gracious, helpful and friendly. We were even caught in the middle of a war protest and all went fine.<BR><BR>Please do not think I am giving you a rash here, but after my visit, I am a bit tired on the moaning and groaning of people on this board who are contemplating whether or not they should visit.<BR><BR>You have more of a chance getting hurt in a car accident within a mile of your home than you do on holiday in Europe.<BR>

Though I normally concur with Uncle Sam here I am with Elaine and Wlongman in their advice.<BR><BR>I have been to France for each of the last 11 years. Invariably, I have found the French polite and thoughtful. French politicians are another matter. The French have had five different Republics since the 19th century that proves they can not stand them either.<BR><BR>The one thing I would do is check with the State Department. If they should issue a warning not to go then of course all bets are off. (One last thing try and learn some rudimentary French phrases; they always help when travelling about.)<BR><BR>Good luck.<BR><BR>Anthony

Go and enjoy yourself. Paris is a lovely city and most Parisians are a cultured and tolerant group of people. If someone is rude to you because they think you are from the United States, perhaps you could tell them that you are Scottish?

As has been said already here, nobody but you can assess how to rate your comfort level, and thus whether to go or to cancel. I'm going in May, though --a week in Brittany and a week in Paris-- and am going to have a great time. Even if I DO encounter someone snotty here and there, I'll remember that that's not FRANCE. Long ago while visiting Boston I came across two guys at a gas station who were hands down the rudest, meanest people I've EVER met anywhere in the 45 states and 20 or so countries I've visited. I surely can't very well draw from that experience almost twenty years ago that &quot;Americans are the rudest people in the world,&quot; though, can I? <BR>The French Govt hasn't done anything to me; they have DISAGREED with my government. I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I wouldn't want just friends who agree with me.

Clayrr...We Bostonians are the worst;#).<BR><BR>Take people for what they are.Can anyone imagine themselves being rude to the French who are here on vacation? Especially because of politics.<BR><BR>If some French are rude to you in France,ignore them or tell them how you feel and move on.

Time out folks...I do not care if Scotlandforever goes to Paris...that's his or her decision.<BR><BR>And I have been to Paris four times and loved it and it is my favorite city and I have never had one, not one single person in Paris or the whole of France for that matter be the least bit rude to me or my wife. We loved our time in Paris and Provence and Lyon and Burgundy!!<BR><BR>My point is that now I simply choose not to spend my $$$ in France. That's all...and yes I know how nice everyone is and all that...its one big love fest!<BR><BR>However I have the right to choose where I spend my $$$ and I choose not to spend them in France.<BR><BR>Will this have an impact on the French economy...hardly, but it is what I choose to do!<BR><BR>US

There seem to be two issues here;<BR><BR>1. Are the French going to be friendly toward me? Will I be exposed to animosity toward Americans or American policy in the Gulf?<BR><BR>2. Do I want to spend money in a country that stabbed Colin Powell in the back, helping write resolution 1441 then not backing the US in its enforcement?<BR><BR>To question 1, there is a low probability that you will be injured in a clash of ideologies.<BR><BR>To question 2, Uncle_Sam and I agree that we'd spend our money elsewhere.

by all means spend your money elsewhere if that's what your politics dictate.<BR>I see no reason however, to express<BR>uncle_sam's attitude by insisting that those who disagree with that political or economic stand are &quot;Euro wannabes and apologists.&quot; There's an anti-American attitude if ever I read one.<BR><BR>We have simply reached different conclusions and decisions. I assume your stand is well-thought out and I'd appreciate the same courtesy.<BR>

MON ONCLE SAM,<BR>Move on Sammy,your boring.With your intellect go to Disneyworld !Why don't you switch sites, maybe &quot;CNN&quot; would appreciate your right-wing views,not a travel thread.

I wouldn't give France a penny of my travel money. We have pulled them out of the fire in two wars loosing many of our boys. Any thanks! No!