Thanks NeoPatrick, a lesson learned
 

To someone's thread a few days ago you mentioned someone dooming their trip before they start it.
How that statment applied to me was that I think I had set Paris up as some sort of "standard" in my mind.
Your comment had me rethinking the impression with which I had come home from Rome. Looking back and the flashing memories I have of Rome - I had a wonderful time after all!

So? Thank you. That comment broadened my mind and reminded me of a goal I have for myself, to learn tolerance and to ease up!

I have never seen as many couples arguing as I did in Paris. It really stuck out. The full range from tight-lipped undertoned snippy comments to no-holds-barred, middle of the street, full volume fights.

I am pretty sure that it had to do with unrealistic expections meeting the reality of a city. I guess that after planning, yearning and envisioning the perfect romantic vacation the visitors were severely dissappointed with either Paris or their partners, and most likely both.

In Paris' defense I must stat that it was my first solo trip so I guess I noticed other people more than I had before.

my friend had a temper tantrem in Paris. Yelled at his wife right in front of Notre Dame !! Is nothing sacred anymore ?

dandj...have you never been married?

After jet lag and travel glitches and other stresses one can easily "lose it" in Europe..I lost it with my partner in Paris after we could not find a place to eat late on a Sunday in August. He was impatient and I had been responsible for all the arrangements myself.He wouldnt learn even one phrase in French or miss a mealtime.

What is sacred about the front of Notre Dame???? Now if it was inside the church, and he yelled... yes....

hypatia,

you made me laugh!!

I love my husband but there is really no place I wouldn't yell at him if he properly provoked me...

after 20 years he knows just how to do it!!!

Good travel companions are hard to find but if you have one hold on tight. I love traveling with my oldest daughter. She has my same need to make good use of our time, eat good food every few hours, and really get the full value of that museum audio;)

gruezi

Yes I am married.

Praise the Lord my DH has some manners.

My friends DH drinks too much and has "moments"

I know everyone has jetlag. I try to smile and laugh through mine.
If I get grumpy I dont yell at others.

"...I have never seen as many couples arguing as I did in Paris..."

Hysterical! We started going to Paris in 1996, nearly every year. The first few trips, we bickered almost daily. We finally learned how to arrange the day so we weren't so tired and cranky (it involved more alcohol :) ) The bickering pretty much has gone by the wayside.

One pleasant day, hubby said "are we in Paris? it doesn't seem like it ;) "

SuzieC- My last trip to Paris I witnessed a couple argueing in "Afrikaans" which is a slang version of Dutch, but I felt so, so sorry for them as it was evident they were a young couple on honeymoon! This altercation took place on the steps of the Madelaine.
It took an awful amount of effort to keep absolutely silent from replying in a language I am very familiar with!

Over 20 years ago, I took my friend on a two week trip to Mexico, traveling "My Way", i.e., native buses, no reservations, etc. In those two weeks, she put up with all of my quirks, and we did not have one single argument.

That is when I realized she was a jewel beyond price, and asked her to marry me.

Traveling with her still remains a delight!

(If she reads this, my happy Christmas is assured!)

:-)

Aahhhhh! Nukesafe - that is absolutely priceless!

Oh, I want to read what Patrick wrote! I do think people can plan so much and have their expectations so high that it causes stress and can ruin the trip.

all about expectations ...One thing I can say about Paris and Rome ..they bring out the passion!!...but never boredom!!

MMMMMM..... I see that I made no sense in my original post.

I ADORED PARIS. Never remember much arguing that I don't see in any Mall in the USoA...<GRIN>

My first reaction to Rome wasn't good. You see I had these expectations that Rome would be great like Paris. I had set myself up with unrealistic expectations.

Really, there is only one way out of this pickle. Sigh. I guess I just have to go back to each!

Your post made perfect sense, I think our 'discussions' just took a slight diversion from it...

In spite of our early bickering, we loved Paris deeply from the get-go. I think some disappointments stem from unrealistic daily planning rather than unrealistic expectations overall. I have had to learn to scale back and 'pace' better.