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Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Of the world's biggest cities, it seems that Paris is the one people either love the most strongly or seem to absolutely loathe. Some also love some aspects of it and hate others. On the other hand it seems most people love NYC and London, at least foreigners who don't have to work and live in these cities, Paris gets a bad rep yet people still have 'Paris syndrome' and see it as some magical place, the most beautiful place on earth.
I've heard the cons that Parisians are unfriendly, the city is dirty, the lack of good food (amazingly), but of course Paris certainly has undeniably charm and beauty and culture.
Is it just the nature of the beast? Is Paris essentially a great city with a few glaring faults? What about the surrounding suburbs, don't they have a pretty bad rep?
Is Paris essentially a great city with a few glaring faults? What about the surrounding suburbs, don't they have a pretty bad rep?
Yes, Paris is a great city with a few glaring faults ... that is, it's expensive to live well, it's a cultural and economic hub so it's probably like NYC (it's who you know) but that shouldn't matter to tourists, and there will be some arrogance here and there, if you don't speak French (well). However, I didn't think tourists in Paris were treated worse than tourists in Venice. Both cities know what side their bread is buttered on.
I loved it and am glad I saw it. However, it's not someplace I see returning to any time soon, if ever again.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,076,059 times
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Do you think Paris feels a bit less accessible than London and NY, partly because it's so French and many people still don't speak much English or won't speak much English? Maybe some tourists, especially from the US, expect everyone to speak English and not getting that is a culture shock to them.
I visited Paris, and I regret it was only for one day. I went to the Eiffel Tower and that famous Road (can't spell it)...and it was okay. I also took the subway, and it seemed like any other subway anywhere.
I regret that I didn't see more of Paris, as I'm sure I missed all the good stuff. But the few largest tourist attractions didn't seem that interesting enough, to make me want to get back to Paris.
In short, if I'd felt wowwed during that one day, I'd love to go back. But, so many other places in the world, I think I"d rather seek elsewhere for that wow factor. Again, I probably missed the best stuff though.
On the contrary to most though, I had all good experiences with French people, in Paris and everywhere else I've ever met them.
Do you think Paris feels a bit less accessible than London and NY, partly because it's so French and many people still don't speak much English or won't speak much English? Maybe some tourists, especially from the US, expect everyone to speak English and not getting that is a culture shock to them.
No. I like Paris much more than I like London. And I'm sure I'd feel that way even if I didn't speak decent French. An American who goes to Paris expecting to find America SHOULD be treated poorly. Still, I know many Americans who couldn't say more than 10 words of French and reported enjoying it.
I was there for 4 days. I got to see everything I wanted to see, including Versailles.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,076,059 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by robertpolyglot
No. I like Paris much more than I like London. And I'm sure I'd feel that way even if I didn't speak decent French. An American who goes to Paris expecting to find America SHOULD be treated poorly. Still, I know many Americans who couldn't say more than 10 words of French and reported enjoying it.
I was there for 4 days. I got to see everything I wanted to see, including Versailles.
Both cities are must-sees, London because I know a lot about the city through just reading about it and things being set there, and because British culture is such an influence on me, but Paris seems to have more charm, more magic, if you like, than the staid British capital.
To the contrary, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they hate Paris.
PArisians, perhaps, but not the city itself.
And no it isn't dirty. Compared to London or Brussels or Rome it's quite clean, (in part because there is a city ordinance which requires apartment buildings to be clean and painted).
paris is a nice place to visit. so many famous sites to take pictures of. at night, most of these attractions look great in pictures.
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