<<I have never met anyone so obsessed with feeling like they have to or should, love a city. It's odd.>>

Jinky - I'll start off by saying that 'obsessed' is a very strong word, and actually doesn't apply to me (well not regarding this issue anyway).

My issue comes from the fact that Paris has all the elements (and many more) I typically adore about other cities that I love, however (and I know I've now battered this point to death) I just don't.

It's not about wanting to fit in or form part of the 'Paris is the best place on earth' hivemind, it's a purely personal issue that I thought may raise some interesting points (which it has) and allow people to give their opinions on which cities they do or don't like (which it does).

I don't want to take this down to playground level, but I just thought I'd raise the fact that you've allowed your feelings about your trip to Paris next year to be influenced by someone you characterise as 'obsessed' and 'odd'.

I know which behaviour I find the oddest...

It's kind of hilarious, this whole thread. Sounds more like a blog post. Do you have a blog? You should!

I just said I was a bit turned off. Now, if I made post after post, after post in the same thread saying the same thing, yes, it *would* be odd!

That is all!

<<Dave, I would think that Cincinatti (I didn't spell that right, did I?) would be more atmospheric, sophisticated,etc. I too am kidding.>>

marlib1951: It is, but Akron is very much closer. So are Cleveland and Pittsburgh. (btw: yeah, there's only one t in Cincinnati)

Just chatted with a native Parisian now in the U. S. who is glad to be here. What he enjoys about Cambridge, Mass., is the sunshine. He remembers that lots of days in Paris when it isn't rainy it is is overcast and dreary.

<i>What he enjoys about Cambridge, Mass., is the sunshine.</i>

Obviously he has not been on the West Coast Bay Area and south.

"What he enjoys about Cambridge, Mass., is the sunshine."

Wow, the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence.

I feel the same way about Rome. I do love Paris, though!

I also feel the same about Rome. I really don't like that city. I've been 2 or 3 times and it never grew on me. The first time I went, I didn't like it much, then I had to go back to meet some European friends as they weren't home in their own country, but were vacationing in Rome and suggested I meet them there.

Happy Travels!

"Michael on Nov 17, 12 at 2:09pm
What he enjoys about Cambridge, Mass., is the sunshine.

Obviously he has not been on the West Coast Bay Area and south."

True. I'm in sunny Southern Cal.

I've been to Cambridge, but unfortunately didn't get sunny weather on a couple of fall trips.

Happy Travels!

I have been traveling to France and Paris for 20 years. I find it is one of the most visually stunning cities in the world. Paris is a crossroads of culture, style, food, architecture and government. It doesn't hold the historic command and sway that perhaps Rome does; even though Paris is a 2000 year old city, but it is nonetheless to me anyway, a wonderful city.

You may not love Paris and that is your prerogative; to each his/her own. No need to feel a need to justify how you feel about a certain place. Just go with what permeates your soul and aesthetics.

I'm slowly warming to Paris the more often I go there and the more friends I make there (I live a bit over an hour away by TGV). But I started out quite cold on the place partly due to a bit of a lonely, miserable first trip in 2005, and I must say it still does make me roll my eyes every time I see someone on these and other forums say something like "I'm going to be in Paris for 1 day, then moving on to Dijon" and have everyone pile on to say "Nooooo, you MUST stay in Paris for an eternity!" even if that's not at all what they're asking about. It's still not my favourite place in the world, but there's a lot to see and do there, and with friends, it's also great just to be able to hang out and do nothing.

Paris. Love at first sight'.
A love I never got over after I broke up with Provence.

DW does not care much for Paris which is difficult for me because I love the city. It is not the museums or the sights/sites but just being there, I can't explain it other than it speaks to me. We will be going to France in a few months, but sadly, not Paris.

One thing I can say about this thread is that it's made me feel pretty good about disliking Rome. Not that I've ever needed support in my dislike of the city but I can't stand Rome.

Had I dropped a centesimi in Trevi fountain I would have dove in to get it back just so I didn't have a chance of returning to Rome.

This is good news for folks who love Rome. I won't be crowding the streets.

I don't like the French they speak in Paris. It's too formal. I wish they would all switch over to Quebec French. More relaxed.