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Paris
Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 01:53 PM UTC
After traveling to Paris in May - my wife and I are so drawn to return to this great city. We plan on visiting Rome next, then Barcelona, but what is this seduction that makes us want to return to the magnificent city of Paris.
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RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 02:18 PM UTC
we have that problem, too!
it's so worse when you get home....and have terrible withdrawl...and, when anyone (like yourself) mentions going again...we think we need to as well.

it's just a magical place...it may not even be worth analyzing what it is about it, and just enjoy it....but, I sooooo know what you mean!

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 02:43 PM UTC
I thought it was overpriced, and the people incredibly rude...

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 03:25 PM UTC
Although I may agree that it is terribly expensive here, but no moreso than New York where I normally live, I have found the French people to be incredibly nice and I have been here since November. On the other hand, I have found the Americans that I have met either in a cafe or at an internet point to be cold and unfriendly which I find very strange since I am always so anxious to speak to people from my country. I am not talking about the American VTers that I have met here who have been very nice.

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 03:38 PM UTC
like the above poster, I found the people of Paris to be delightful...I really don't know why they have that reputation...and, if someone did act haughty to me (which happened about twice in two different trips) I just thought it part of the experience!

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 05:00 PM UTC
Excellent attitude Ellielou. I echo your sentiment and experience with Paris completely!

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Thu December 29, 2005 09:53 PM UTC
I have liked the people of France also. However, an strange story to share...

I am Norwegian by birth (mother is American, father Norwegian) and now live in America. I speak 4 languages well, with French to be my 5th, and was trying out my very basic but polite French. I got a very cold shoulder and rude treatment and overheard my server and another customer speaking of us as "Americans" and making fun of my attempt at French.(Which is not that bad, by the way, or so says my French friend.) Well, I understood her perfectly and corrected her very nicely of the notion that I'm American... and suddenly she was VERY VERY nice to me. Of course, she says, clearly I am not American! She heard me speaking of someone else...she just LOVES Norwegians! So, as long as I am Norwegian and speaking English and French that's okay. But an American speaking English and French...well, another story that. Just left a bad taste in my mouth, that's all and I'm not in a hurry to go back.

I'll give my money and energy to the Italians who embrace everyone, thank you.

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Fri December 30, 2005 02:54 PM UTC
Sorry to hear that story, Lorine. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth too, but I can't hold that against all Parisians as I have met too many nice ones.

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Fri December 30, 2005 07:44 PM UTC
No doubt - I have too....just that I've met them outside of Paris!! ;-)

I do want to get back someday and give it another go. Everyone should go up in the Eiffel Tower before they die - it's just one of those 100 things everyone should see or do. I think I'll put it on the list AFTER I've seen the Pyramids!

Ciao! Lorine

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International ?
Posted: Sun January 1, 2006 05:06 AM UTC
Paris is nice and beautiful, mostly in the town center.
The quality of life and the culture is French : good food, good wine, bars and terrace in summer...

The prices are generally less expensive than London or NYC, for the hotels, restaurants and museums...

But you will meet stupidity in every countries,
sadly stupidity is international,
but it's not general...

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RE: RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Tue January 3, 2006 05:01 PM UTC
I feel exactly as you, NYGaston... The sad reality of life is that there are a**holes everyplace. The stereotype of "rude" French, I believe, comes from the American concept of "friendliness." The social norm in the US, for the most part, is to be surface-level "friendly" to everyone, all the time, right away, smiling like crazy, even to strangers. If you consider French history, there are reasons to be suspicious of strangers, so the rules of engagement are a bit different. Of course this is changing and evolving, and the younger generations lived a different story.

At any rate, once you learn a few basics of how to interact with people here, I find that almost everyone is kind, helpful, thoughtful. And when a friendship does develop, it is a strong, serious, significant relationship.

I could go on about this for hours, but I'll stop. I just know that I'm about to move from Paris back to the US, and my heart is breaking.

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RE: Seduction of Paris
Posted: Tue January 3, 2006 05:10 PM UTC
may be you could return to our capital
but i ll suggest you to discover smaller cities like bordeaux, cognac, strasbourg, nancy, ...... they have more soul and histories
all russians who visited paris didn t enjoy it anymore after these visits

lio

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