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Safer than a city in Latin America? Definitely yes. Safe compared to other European cities? Hmm no and note that I am not even talking about the terrorist attack threat. Paris has a significant, rampant petty crime problem with lots of incivilities happening everyday in the subway and the streets. I was born and grew up in Paris and now I live in LA and believe it or not I feel safer here. Yes LA has a gang problem but unless you're wrapped up in drugs or illegal stuff it is not really a concern as gang bangers mainly kill each other. On the other hand in Paris some wannabe ghetto thug might fight you just for the hell of it.
^ You are probably right about Paris but the question was about France not just Paris. I have never been to Paris but I am in other parts of France quite a bit and find it extremely safe. I have spent a fair bit of time in LA and though I have heard it is not as crazy as it was in the 90's I bet I could show you some parts that are way worse than anywhere in the EU.
They try to compare pears and apples. In the US, in a hood you get chopped, banlieus are normal compared to hoods, just normal places you walk and in which you are not advised, in some cases, to go at certain hours.
What I am trying to say is that violence in Paris and in the US are different, they have a different aspect and target people differently. Many places in the US are miles away from the gang cliche, but Paris isn't populated with painters and poets wearing fancy scarves. Just remember the major riots that occurred in 2005 and 2006. Of course it probably won't strike you if you just visit for a couple of days but those who lived there long enough know exactly what I am talking about.
In the US there are large neighbourhoods, "hoods", that sometimes cover the entire center or downtown in which you have more than 50 percent probability of being mugged or shot. Criminality in those areas is sometimes higher than dangerous third world places. You just get shot. And the police is scared, so scared that they shoot whenever somebody does not show their hands.
There's no way to compare such hoods with banlieus, or with "campo de la bota" in Barcelona, no comparison whatsoever.
So, asking if Paris is safe out of the blue? First place, dangerous areas in Paris are normal in certain urban settings in the US...in comparison with what? Definitely, NO HOODS, NO PROJECTS, REAL PROJECTS.
There are areas in the US that are safer than most of western Europe.
Hoods should be compared to favelas, not to any neighbourhood in western Europe.
Last edited by Krokodill; 03-18-2016 at 11:52 AM..
What I am trying to say is that violence in Paris and in the US are different, they have a different aspect and target people differently. Many places in the US are miles away from the gang cliche, but Paris isn't populated with painters and poets wearing fancy scarves. Just remember the major riots that occurred in 2005 and 2006. Of course it probably won't strike you if you just visit for a couple of days but those who lived there long enough know exactly what I am talking about.
LOL! I love that line! Thanks for my laugh for the day!
Paris is the kind of city where you need to be aware all the time. 99% of the people are fine but you have some troublemakers who are gonna try to rob your wallet or smartphones and some guy trying to sell you a CD and doesn't accept a no and so on, but you never risk your life even in the worst suburbs. US cities tend to be friendlier and petty crime is less of a problem but you can risk your life if you enter the wrong neighborhood. But overall France is very safe but of course something terrible can happen anytime, same for anywhere else on the planet.
Sure, just like in the entire universe. If you are dumb, everybody will take advantage of you.
US cities are not friendlier because many unexpected tourists drip into hoods and are whacked. Whay do you express an opinion saying generalities?
Sure, just like in the entire universe. If you are dumb, everybody will take advantage of you.
US cities are not friendlier because many unexpected tourists drip into hoods and are whacked. Whay do you express an opinion saying generalities?
I've lived in DC and know NYC a bit so I can compare with Paris where I have lived for 3 years. Some areas in central Paris like Gare du Nord or Châtelet are somewhat dangerous at certain hours because they are a lot of let's say not-so-nice people hanging around at those areas. I don't remember places like that in DC or Manhattan.
I've lived in DC and know NYC a bit so I can compare with Paris where I have lived for 3 years. Some areas in central Paris like Gare du Nord or Châtelet are somewhat dangerous at certain hours because they are a lot of let's say not-so-nice people hanging around at those areas. I don't remember places like that in DC or Manhattan.
You must have lived in the new New York...plasticized, gentrified and gift-wrapped for tourists.
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