I can understand people wanting to take Uber (the legal one) in cities where taxis are problematic, like NYC and London. But Paris doesn't have those problems - there are more Taxis Parisiens than I have ever seen before (borne out by reports) and it's easier than ever before to either hail a taxi on the street or book a regular taxi over the phone or online with G7 or TaxisBleus.

Paris didn't have problems until recently, when rogue taxis started proliferating. Again, it's the companies that have created the market, insisting that Uber is "better" and more reliable than Taxis Parisiens. That's simply not the case, in the overwhelming majority of instances. Using Uber makes people feel "special" though, that's really why they use it - all the VIPs use them, after all.

All the 'popular kids' use Uber because it's app based so we have the cool factor going on.

I feel for the taxi operators and would never use Uber on principle. The fact that they have your details and can track your phone is just terrifyingly Orwellian to me.

Take a licensed cab people!

<Again, it's the companies that have created the market, insisting that Uber is "better" and more reliable than Taxis Parisiens.>

Hmm..I don't see how this is about marketing. The fact is Uber that offers a superior product. Passengers all over the world are fed up with taxis, which are hopelessly stuck in the 20th century. I'm sure I'm not the only one on this board who has found it a challenge to hail a cab in Paris.

Ubers are rarely more than 2-3 minutes away. They're clean and comfortable. The drivers are polite, eager to please and obsessed with reaching the destination the most efficient way possible. There is no need for tipping or hassling with cash. On the international level, there is rarely a language barrier or currency conversion hassle. And, of course, they're often cheaper.

I do feel for some drivers who paid a fortune for their medallions, but they could have pushed their organizations to keep up with the times, as did the taxistas in Madrid who adopted the Hailo app. But after today's ridiculous violence, I find it impossible to empathize with the participating drivers in Paris. Vive le Uber.

<And, of course, they're often cheaper.> Until your Uber account gets hacked, then you're on your own!

I have never been in anything other than a clean, comfortable Parisian Taxi - and have not had trouble hailing a cab on the street or calling for one, in the last 5 years or so, when this was finally permitted by City ordinance.

If zooming ahead to the 21st Century means a loss of my privacy, due to Uber's demand for my personal information, that's just not acceptable. Candy and a bottle of water don't make up for that, either.

A lot of younger people just jump onto whatever's new and trendy, without thinking about the ramifications. You bite on anything that promises "instant satisfaction" - thus, yes, it is all marketing. Things take time in Paris for a reason - so that the outcome will be "correct". Fast and furious, everyone's in a hurry, it's all about me...this never ends well.

The "ridiculous violence" you referred to was limited to just a couple of incidents - a few cars were sprinkled with flour and eggs, one parked car was set on fire, a dozen tires were set in the road and burned, and Courtney Love was insulted. In the US, this likely would have escalated into a hail of gunfire and a few dozen innocent bystanders would have been murdered.

"Passengers all over the world are fed up with taxis, which are hopelessly stuck in the 20th century."

I have never been fed up with London taxis. In the countries where I have had issues - Vietnam and India come to mind - I very much doubt that Uber would improve things. And I certainly don't want yet another company trying to track my movements. But then, in Europe, I use public transport almost exclusively, so this is a non-issue for me.

@ manouche - you couldn't have said it more perfectly. Thank you.

Yes it appears to be 'all about me' and of course these 'operators' are eager to please. They're dodging tax, breaking the law and getting paid to do so.

Here in LA, where taxis are notoriously MIA/clueless, Uber and its competitors have been game changers...not just for the "cool kids," but for the elderly, disabled, business travelers, tourists, teens on their way to activities and grownups out for a drink or two. DUIs are way down, the air is cleaner and everyone is less stressed.

Orwellian? Hmm...Big Brother lurks on any smartphone GPS. Hacking? Worth the minuscule risk: Uber will refund, or you can contest the CC charge. I suspect all the critics here would be instant converts if they tried it on their next business trip.

I am happy to say that I no longer make business trips, and when I did I had a rental car.

'Big Brother' only lurks on your smartphone if you are dumb enough to have your location available.

Your reference to LA is meaningless for cities like Paris - which has an effective mass transit system and perfectly good taxis.

When the taxi drivers have all be reimbursed for their licence fees and the Uber drivers all pay proper income taxes and the same insurance fees as for taxis, maybe we can start talking about allowing Uber.

There is so much misinformation and paranoia here that I was going to stop posting, but I just came across this right here on this site - from the Fodors front page in the featured list "15 Things Not to Do in Paris." As a frequent visitor, I absolutely agree that it is nearly impossible to get a a cab in the streets of Paris late at night.

http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/15...-late-at-night

"Hmm..I don't see how this is about marketing. The fact is Uber that offers a superior product. Passengers all over the world are fed up with taxis, which are hopelessly stuck in the 20th century."
Flipping internal combustion engines. Time for a Tesla moment?

Uber was very helpful when we needed car service to Chartres from Paris. My USA Uber ap worked fine from hotel where we had wifi. The car service was much less than any other option we explored. Plus, the car was a Mercedes.

Tax drivers all over France are striking, protesting Uber.

crosscheck:

LOL on your twitter quote!
Shows the total absurdity of the situation!

*** Plus, the car was a Mercedes***
Commonly called A Bavarian Taxi.

So much for experiencing/immersing yourself in the culture, folks.

The fact is Uber that offers a superior product. Passengers all over the world are fed up with taxis,

Sounds like the same rationale people in the US use when they justify buying cheap Chinese merchandise.

Still wish to use Uber?
http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/29/ube...-taxi-company/
http://www.theguardian.com/technolog...etained-france