Hello Fodorites!

I took a wonderful trip solo to Paris this year. It was a generous gift from my sister.

The weather was like summer. I stayed at the Hotel Bonaparte, which I love. I mostly ate in cafes except for one memorable lunch at Le Souffle near the Louvre. I went often to Cafe de Flore and Deux Magots, which are right down the street from the Bonaparte.

On this trip I got to see Le Marais and Montparnasse, which were new to me. I expecially enjoyed Galleries Lafayettes and Au Printemps for shopping, buying Camembert and baguettes for picnics and browsing through the wide variety of cosmetics. I am a big fan of the stalls outside these department stores for bargains.

The highlight of my trip was being asked out for a date by a man when I was on the Champs Elysees. He spoke excellent English because he had been with the French Embassy in Washington. I said no, but was flattered. My boyfriend was not jealous, though.

My generous sister said she would help fund another trip to Paris in the future.

Lucky you, Love.

Glad you enjoyed your visit.

Your short'n sweet trip report has really made me look forward to my solo trip in October!
I was wondering what kind of reception a lone woman traveler gets at a restaurant at night?

It isn't unusual for men picking up foreign female tourists on the Champs-Elysees to claim they worked for the embassy or some other story.

"Those" English speaking Frenchmen are such chiens! But ooooh those double eyelashes - to die for. ;-)

Nina

those eyes...and that accent...

You're so fortunate to have a generous sister!

Someone mentioned Frenchmen are "chiens". That means dog, right?

While he spoke with me...

He was nice, attentive, dressed in a nice suit, and was ignoring French poodles...oops, I meant French women walking by.

Hold onto your romantic fantasy, it is part of your wonderful trip to Paris. Of course he was genuine, and according to MY fantasy, he was a Baron with a lovely chateau in the Loire. He is your memory, and don't let any nay sayers take that from you.

I was just kidding about Frenchmen being chiens, but then I've always been a dog lover.

Nina

Wandering way off topic, why is it that canine metaphors are used to insult women but to convey a sneaking admiration for men? And why is a "dog's breakfast" so much worse-looking than "the dog's dinner"? (actually, I think the answer to that may be in Proverbs).

>..why is it that canine metaphors are used to insult women but to convey a sneaking admiration for men?<

"Schwieinhunt"

"You ain't nuthin but a hound dog"

"You yellow cur"

"You hound"

"You miserable mutt"

"You dirty dog"

all convey a sneaking admiration?

Schweinhund is of course in an other culture, but in English it's possible for all those phrases to be used precisely as I said - someone who does something they shouldn't really (usually a sexual peccadillo), but gets a bit of a smirk because they've got away with it.

Hi P,

>someone who does something they shouldn't really (usually a sexual peccadillo), but gets a bit of a smirk because they've got away with it.<

Ok, I get your point.