Whats the truth about Paris?
Apr 22nd, 2007, 10:34 PM
#41
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Wow - how did that happen? Someday Paris ask a question based on negative things she had read on this forum. Admitted, only a small minority of things said here about Paris are negative (I should think so too!) but maybe to someone who has never been there these were just enough to prompt her to ask the question. But nowhere did I get the impression that she actually WANTED her worries confirmed. Why would she, if she's booked to go there? Please folks, lighten up and just put her mind at rest - Paris is a fabulous place and she's no more likely to get ripped off there than in NY, Sydney, Istanbul... or anywhere!
Apr 23rd, 2007, 11:55 AM
#43
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I think the OP may well be a urban myth and i've never seen anything like this at least on an endemic scale as the OP implies - isolated yes and it happens everywhere.
As these posts go there are never any explicit examples of hotels doing this, etc.
As these posts go there are never any explicit examples of hotels doing this, etc.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 11:59 AM
#44
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Actually, someday, the only place you have to worry about pickpockets is the Metro-and you DO have to worry about it there, because pickpocketing is fairly frequent there-it happened to me a long time ago-and they make announcements about it periodically in the Metro to watch your purse. But other than keeping guard over your purse/wallet in the Metro, no, you'll be fine. In fact Paris these days seems almost over-friendly to me-too many waiters wanting to chat me up and be friendly, too many Parisians holding the door open for me, or once, helping me with my luggage-I don't know what's gotten into them!
Apr 23rd, 2007, 12:11 PM
#45
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People have been robbed in Paris, cars were burnt during the youth riots, some people are rude, some businesses rip off tourists because they can, some waiters expect tips because toursis don;t realize because it is "service compris", there are beggars, there are "gypsies", some people have had their cameras stolen....
I also hear that NYC is dirty, there are hundreds of murders every year, people are pushy, there is graffiti everywhere, the subway is dangerous...
What's crap, what's reality, what's life in a big city?
I also hear that NYC is dirty, there are hundreds of murders every year, people are pushy, there is graffiti everywhere, the subway is dangerous...
What's crap, what's reality, what's life in a big city?
Apr 23rd, 2007, 02:04 PM
#50
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Why on earth are so many of you getting so defensive and worked up over this? It was a legitimate question, and nothing she should be crucified for.
There's a nice way to say things without ripping someone a new one for asking a simple question, no matter how ridiculous the question may seem to you. I won't name names, but it seems some people really look for reasons to belittle people around here and it's gotten old.
There's a nice way to say things without ripping someone a new one for asking a simple question, no matter how ridiculous the question may seem to you. I won't name names, but it seems some people really look for reasons to belittle people around here and it's gotten old.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 04:59 PM
#52
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janisj wrote, "you ask about all these dire, horrible dangers" WOW~ I don't think I asked about being raped,robbed or killed did I? let me go back and re-read my post. Nope, I asked if I need to watch out for dishonest shopkeepers.
janisj wrote, "So yes, do (to quote NeoPatrick) Tell us. Why are you going to Paris?" We are going on vacation to Paris and just like when we went to any of the other town or city I researched them. If I have offended you by asking a simple question, then tough cookies ma'am,sir,It? you Americans on this thread are so insulted because of a question about Paris and didn't type one word of defence against what was said about New York city and Las Vegas or NYC cab drivers! WOW~
janisj wrote, "So yes, do (to quote NeoPatrick) Tell us. Why are you going to Paris?" We are going on vacation to Paris and just like when we went to any of the other town or city I researched them. If I have offended you by asking a simple question, then tough cookies ma'am,sir,It? you Americans on this thread are so insulted because of a question about Paris and didn't type one word of defence against what was said about New York city and Las Vegas or NYC cab drivers! WOW~
Apr 23rd, 2007, 06:15 PM
#53
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somedayparis, wake up and smell the creme brulee. Nobody is chastizing you for asking about dangers in Paris. People are mocking you because you made clear by your tone that you are looking for problems. When people tell you there are none or at least none greater than any other city, you turn to snide remarks about posts on handbags. When people insist that you tell us the specifics of where you read "all these posts" you ignore that -- because you can't substantiate your claim.
There is NO doubt you have some snide, ulterior motive in the way you asked the question, and even more so in the way you've responded to the answers. When you didn't get the answers you were seeking you turn on those who tell the truth.
Any REAL person going to Paris could have asked the question, but if he had gotten the answers you got, he would have returned to say something like "thank you for setting my mind at ease" not chastizing everyone who responded because you know better than they do.
And nycgirl1, please tell me you don't seriously believe this poster was asking and then responding in a "legitimate way". I've seen many of your posts. You are an intelligent person, and you couldn't possibly believe that if you read through all the responses this poster made. No one became THAT defensive or "belittling" until the poster made clear he wasn't listening to the responses.
There is NO doubt you have some snide, ulterior motive in the way you asked the question, and even more so in the way you've responded to the answers. When you didn't get the answers you were seeking you turn on those who tell the truth.
Any REAL person going to Paris could have asked the question, but if he had gotten the answers you got, he would have returned to say something like "thank you for setting my mind at ease" not chastizing everyone who responded because you know better than they do.
And nycgirl1, please tell me you don't seriously believe this poster was asking and then responding in a "legitimate way". I've seen many of your posts. You are an intelligent person, and you couldn't possibly believe that if you read through all the responses this poster made. No one became THAT defensive or "belittling" until the poster made clear he wasn't listening to the responses.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 10:32 PM
#54
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Sorry neopatrick, can't agree with you. Any perceived "snideness" is all in the eye of the beholder/ear of the listener or whatever. I certainly did not perceive it, and in all humility I don't think I'm completely without intelligence or sensitivity. If somedayparis didn't reply along the "thanks for putting my mind at rest" lines that you suggest, then I suggest in my turn that this might have been because she felt attacked and beseiged by the welter of defensive and accusing "where did you get this (mis)information from" messages that were hurled at her.
I love Paris, have been there 3 times and planning another trip soon, and can fully understand anyone being outraged by the suggestion that it's any more a rip-off place than anywhere else, but I stop short of attacking someone who merely seeks enlightenment.
I love Paris, have been there 3 times and planning another trip soon, and can fully understand anyone being outraged by the suggestion that it's any more a rip-off place than anywhere else, but I stop short of attacking someone who merely seeks enlightenment.
Apr 24th, 2007, 05:00 AM
#56
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Come on now folks, you seriously want to defend the following two posts as coming from someone who was truly seeking an honest answer and happy to get it?
And you're really going to try to convince me that the second example is a response from someone who was happy to find out from the responses that crime is NOT the problem he was "fearing". Oh, please! I hope some of your legs aren't too sore from all the pulling by our "serious" poster.
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>
Author: somedayparis
Date: 04/22/2007, 08:38 pm
WOW~ I guess I'll stick to questions about metro passes and where to buy hand bags in the 9th. ha ha ha ha ha ha.
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>
Author: somedayparis
Date: 04/23/2007, 05:16 pm
WOW~ now I said those things I read about happens on an endemic scale! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...... ha ha ha ha ha. TOO FUNNY!
And you're really going to try to convince me that the second example is a response from someone who was happy to find out from the responses that crime is NOT the problem he was "fearing". Oh, please! I hope some of your legs aren't too sore from all the pulling by our "serious" poster.
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>
Author: somedayparis
Date: 04/22/2007, 08:38 pm
WOW~ I guess I'll stick to questions about metro passes and where to buy hand bags in the 9th. ha ha ha ha ha ha.
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>
Author: somedayparis
Date: 04/23/2007, 05:16 pm
WOW~ now I said those things I read about happens on an endemic scale! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...... ha ha ha ha ha. TOO FUNNY!
Apr 24th, 2007, 06:55 AM
#57
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Somedayparis, don't be afraid. I just returned from my first trip to Paris, three weeks, and found it user-friendly and not at all intimidating, once I decided to believe that everything was workable (which means that if I didn't understand something, I didn't just give up, but persisted in trying to understand until I reached agreement with whoever I was dealing with). If you ask the person to speak in English ("parlez-vous Anglais, sil vous plait?"
virtually everyone will accommodate you, and if he or she can't, you can ask for someone else ("il-y-a autre personne qui parle Anglais?" [do forgive my wretched spelling and grammar; it worked for me]). We found that the restaurants and businesses charged what they said they charged (and yes, the restaurants do post their prices where you can see them before commiting). It was amazingly easy to get anywhere you wanted to go on public transportation (once we understood that foreign credit cards usuallly don't work at the RER machines). You will have a wonderful time and you don't need to look out for anything that you wouldn't look out for in San Francisco or New York. I'm told that the cabs are particularly reliable, since if there is even one complaint against them they can lose their licenses. Paris businesses were fine - you'll like them. They have a few quirks, but none that I found geared specifically against me. Have a great trip and fall in love with the city.
virtually everyone will accommodate you, and if he or she can't, you can ask for someone else ("il-y-a autre personne qui parle Anglais?" [do forgive my wretched spelling and grammar; it worked for me]). We found that the restaurants and businesses charged what they said they charged (and yes, the restaurants do post their prices where you can see them before commiting). It was amazingly easy to get anywhere you wanted to go on public transportation (once we understood that foreign credit cards usuallly don't work at the RER machines). You will have a wonderful time and you don't need to look out for anything that you wouldn't look out for in San Francisco or New York. I'm told that the cabs are particularly reliable, since if there is even one complaint against them they can lose their licenses. Paris businesses were fine - you'll like them. They have a few quirks, but none that I found geared specifically against me. Have a great trip and fall in love with the city.
Apr 24th, 2007, 02:13 PM
#59
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Somedayparis, I will tell you the absolutely worst thing that ever happened to me in Paris: the hotel clerk made a pass at me. However, I pay very careful attention to the written details and know in advance what is included or extra and so forth. Confidence in yourself and carrying yourself as though you know perfectly well what you are doing will keep at bay nearly everyone who would otherwise try to take advantage of you or your wallet. Prepare very well, then relax and have a wonderful time.
